Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) gives staff dedicated time to support causes and communities they care about, whether that’s through regular volunteering, one-off opportunities, or sharing skills with local groups.
At Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI), we support this by offering colleagues up to one hour (FTE) per week, or the equivalent across the year, to volunteer. It’s a flexible approach that recognises the value of giving back, while also supporting staff wellbeing, connection, and positive community impact.
Through our Staff Volunteering Spotlight series, we’re sharing stories from our team to showcase the difference volunteering can make and encourage other organisations to consider how they could support their own staff to get involved.
In this spotlight, we hear from Brian Weaver, Training and Capacity Building Development Officer at CTSI, who has spent more than five years volunteering with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) through its Eyes On, Hands On programme.
The Commission cares for the graves and commemorations of more than 1.7 million Commonwealth service personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars, helping ensure their sacrifices are remembered for generations to come.
A Personal Connection to Remembrance
Brian has always had an interest in the history of the First and Second World Wars, but his connection to the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is also deeply personal.
His great-grandfather, Clarence Walter Weaver, was captured in France during the Third Battle of the Aisne in 1918 and later died as a prisoner of war in Germany. His grave is cared for by the Commission.
“I have always had an interest in the history of the First and Second World War and think it is important that those that died are remembered and their graves properly looked after,” Brian explains.
Knowing that his own family member’s grave is cared for has strengthened Brian’s commitment to helping preserve the resting places of others, particularly when relatives may live too far away to visit or maintain a connection with the cemetery.
When he discovered the Eyes On, Hands On programme, it offered an opportunity to combine his interest in history with a practical way to give something back.
Keeping Local History Alive
As part of his volunteering, Brian looks after Commonwealth War Graves Commission markers across four local cemeteries in Dollar, Tillicoultry, Alva and Logie.
He visits each cemetery at least twice a year to inspect the condition of casualty markers and CWGC signage, recording photographs and reporting any issues such as damaged headstones, illegible inscriptions or overgrown vegetation.
These reports help the Commission identify where further maintenance or repairs are needed.
The Hands On element of the programme allows Brian to carry out practical maintenance himself, including gently cleaning markers and cutting back encroaching vegetation using approved methods.
Armed with a brush, bucket and water, he helps ensure that the graves remain visible, accessible and treated with the respect they deserve.
For Brian, the impact of this work is particularly rewarding when he can see a tangible difference.
One memorable example involved the grave marker of Thomas Minto of Alva, whose father had been Provost of Alva. The original marker had become badly eroded and its inscription was no longer legible.
After Brian reported the issue, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission arranged for a new plaque to be added, restoring an important piece of local history.
Alongside his regular volunteering duties, Brian also enjoys researching the stories of those buried in the cemeteries he visits, learning more about the individuals behind the names.
Giving Back Through Employer Supported Volunteering
Although Brian dedicates much of his own spare time to the programme, he says CTSI’s Employer Supported Volunteering hours have made a real difference in helping him balance volunteering with his other commitments.
“The corporate volunteering hours helped enormously,” he explains.
His experience demonstrates how even a small amount of dedicated volunteering time can help employees make a meaningful contribution to causes they care about.
And while his work supports remembrance and the preservation of local heritage, Brian has also experienced personal benefits.
From learning new skills in headstone care and health and safety to enjoying the fresh air, exercise and peaceful surroundings of the cemeteries, volunteering has become a positive part of his routine.
He also values the support and recognition provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, including training, equipment and recognition of volunteers’ continued service.
Encouraging Others to Get Involved
After more than five years with the programme, Brian has no plans to stop volunteering.
He encourages others to consider giving their time, whether through opportunities offered by their employer or independently.
For Brian, volunteering is an opportunity to give something back to the community while also gaining new skills, experiences and a sense of wellbeing.
His story is a reminder that volunteering takes many forms. Sometimes, making a difference means helping to preserve the stories of those who came before us, ensuring their lives and sacrifices are not forgotten.
Interested in volunteering?
Whether you’re looking to give back to your community, develop new skills or support a cause close to your heart, CTSI can help you explore volunteering opportunities across Clackmannanshire.
Visit our Volunteer Portal to discover opportunities and start your volunteering journey.
