Voluntary work

I’ve just been helping post the mail-out of a catalogue for the Art Gallery in my village - go look at the website www.artsway.org.uk to be surprised at what can turn up in the middle of the New Forest. I do it voluntarily, and the only tangible thing I get back is a cup of tea, yet I get enormous pleasure from being involved in keeping such an endeavour up and running.

What is it about volunteering that can do that? I guess for me it fulfils that need to be generous with my time and skill (although working a franking machine doesn’t take much skill I sit on committees where my skill usage is more evident). I like having a part of my life that is not driven by the commercial need to put a value on activities through which I make my income.

I know the Royal Yachting Association has been looking at ‘volunteering’ for a few years now, given the socio-economic changes in club member’s life-styles allied to the ever-restricting legal requirements. They’ve got some great Good Practice stuff on their website www.rya.org.uk/WorkingWithUs/volunteers/ and a key part is recognition for what effort, and I guess that’s why I enjoy the odd hour I give ArtSway – I feel appreciated by being given that cup of tea and the friendly welcome.