“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill
Literally at this second, with everything that is happening in the world, being a human with all its meaning can be considered the hardest thing to be. But life around us shows that we are always closer to kindness than hate. No matter how difficult life gets we are always there to give and love. There is a purpose behind giving, there is love, there is a vision, there is a better future. One way people choose to give back to the world is through volunteering. Your time is the greatest gift you can give.
My personal experience with volunteering has taught me so much. How we are all unique and have our own stories. To respect and listen to others and learn from them. The greatest teacher is not in a classroom but right next to you every day. Gratitude of what we already have and a reminder of the things that really matter. And how small actions have a big power and with volunteering you come to see this with your own eyes. I have met incredible people – some of the strongest and some of the most inspiring and kind ones.
Volunteering is like a fire inside of us. Our desire to help, is keeping that fire alive and puts more wood on it. One can have different reasons for volunteering. A personal connection to the cause, because they believe in the organization’s ideas and future vision and want to contribute, or because it offers experience for their future endeavours.
You are strong and able to do great things. No money is going to matter but what you give out to the world is. To make somebody’s life better, that is your success in life.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” -Elizabeth Andrew
A few of the many places you could offer your time to are the following:
- Befriend a child (mentoring programme)
- ADA Alcohol and Drugs Action
- Victim Support Scotland
- SAMH (for Scotland’s mental health)
- Army Cadets
- Disability Snowport UK
- RAF Air Cadets
- Scouts
- CFINE
- Clan Cancer Support
- The Archie Foundation
- Maggie’s Aberdeen
- ACVO (an organisation that supports volunteer organisations in Aberdeen)
- Age Scotland
