Many years ago Colart started highlighting the voluntary work that the Colart team were doing in their local community. This was never something I would have ever thought about, selfishly the thought of doing work for FREE did not appeal to me. However, Colart then offered an incentive. One day per year to volunteer, this then inspired me to do my bit for the community. (I thought I would do the one day per year and no more!)
As a child I attended Girlguiding and loved it. I have many great memories, so the natural thing as my girls became the right age was to enrol them in the local Girlguiding groups.
After finding out one of our local Rainbow groups would have to close as they can’t get the volunteers due to the increased amount of paperwork, I decided to put myself forward to volunteer with the admin.
Then, in April they were short of adult volunteers in the group, so I offered to step in for a while, which then became a regular occurrence. It seems coming up with new activities and leading the group came quite naturally to me.
Shortly after the leader suggested I applied for the leadership qualification. (Most leaders are from teaching backgrounds so already know how to handle children, risk assessment for children, the safeguarding procedures etc). I was not sure on doing this as it was a lot of work for a volunteer role, especially on a topic I knew very little about.
After thinking long and hard about if I could achieve this, I thought… ‘I tell the children they can do anything if they put their mind to it’ so why am I not practicing what I preach? So, the last few years I have been learning all about safeguarding, accounting, dealing with children, food hygiene and many other topics.
And the result: this weekend my girls and I had an amazing afternoon celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with all the other local Girlguides and during this event I was finally awarded my leadership qualification badge and certificate by the Girlguiding Somerset County President which was as absolute privilege, and the best bit…… being given this award in front of both of my girls and all my Rainbows.
I hope my story inspires you to go outside of your comfort zone as I did, I now give over 4 hours per week to Girlguiding (sometimes more!) and don’t think anything of it.
Remember: it’s never too late to learn something new or to lend a hand.
#Youarenevertoooldtolearn
#Girlscandoanything
#Girlguidinguk
#Colart
An honest and strong story about personal growth and giving back. And an important ‘ step out of the comfort zone’ message for all of us. This is properly inspiring. If I could ‘like’ this twice, I would!
As an ex-Scout leader of 15 years I understand how much there is to take on and to do that goes unseen by parents! It’s great to see well needed leaders taking that step into volunteering. I’m sure all your ‘now’ and future Rainbows will thank you!
Amazing achievement and very inspiring Lucy.