Staff volunteering
James Slattery from Campus Life talks to us about volunteering with Discovery
“I was aware that Swansea University staff can volunteer for Discovery for 14 hours a year in work time and I wanted to take advantage of that. I spoke with the Discovery staff in the office and Kirsty, the Supported volunteer Manager, said she knew of an opportunity that I might be interested in. We had a chat, Kirsty explained what was expected of me and answered all my questions and I had to participate in a volunteer induction.
I volunteered in the Supported Volunteering scheme, which enables adults with additional learning needs to volunteer with Discovery, with a fine young man who gives two hours each week to help out in the Discovery office. We made bunting, items for a display board, shredded a lot of paper and drank too much coffee. We also took a weekly stroll to Costcutter for my supported volunteer to get his lunch. My role in this was to support the man to volunteer. As such, the time we spent together was led – as far as possible – by the supported volunteer and was more about spending time with him, involving him in the lively Discovery office and just being there than it was about the task we were completing.
What I found through my volunteering was that although I understood the concept of ‘just being present’, it was quite tough to actually do at first. I kept feeling as though I should be ‘doing’ something, but – over the weeks – this feeling changed. I also felt at first that the role would be quite reactive; set a task and assist in the completion of the task, dealing with any issues along the way. This feeling also changed, as the sessions took on a more organic flow and the need to ‘do’ or ‘react’ was replaced by ‘being’, ‘witnessing’ and developing an understanding between and of each other. Communication with the young man I supported was also different, which prevented me from relying on methods of reasoning and the exchange of ideas that I use in my day-to-day role. Through this challenge, my patience, self-analysis and confidence have all developed.
If you are a Swansea University staff member thinking of volunteering with Discovery I would say absolutely, do it. Two days (14 hours) out of a whole year of work is nothing. It can be as flexible as you need it to be; I did 2 hours a week for 7 weeks. But, the impact it has on Discovery, on the students with whom they work, on the recipients of their work and on the people who offer their time (i.e. You) is immeasurable. Also, although it was daunting stepping into the unknown at first, I always felt supported and never like I was handling something on my own. My volunteering became a highlight of my week – breaking up my normal job and taking in the sights, sounds, smells and perfect pandemonium of Discovery. The next time the chance comes along to volunteer with them – I’m going to take it – and so should you.”