As a Volunteer Development Assistant, I am part of the team tasked with sharing the benefits of volunteering to young people and supporting their onward progression in numerous ways. Examples include providing ongoing support throughout the volunteering process; offering advice for applications; discussing opportunities with prospective applicants to identify which ones are best suited to the young adult’s skillset. I am also responsible for developing the Saltire Awards in Clackmannanshire.

The role also allows me to connect with member organisations that want to engage with volunteers to sustainably grow their talent-pools to better support a member’s evolving needs.

Since leaving school, I have always been volunteering in some capacity. I found it helped lift me when I struggled with poor mental health and low self-confidence as it offered a purpose and a sense of belonging in the local community. Being a volunteer has allowed me to witness the foremost challenges that affect the community and the solutions employed to tackle them. Finally, volunteering has allowed me to meet inspirational personalities and help many worthy causes.

On a personal note, when I am not working or volunteering, I can be found doing political research and writing; photography; or bird watching!