I started volunteering at Craven College horticulture department to improve my employability. Sometimes you need to take on some voluntary work that is mutually beneficial. The college has helped me learn new skills for a changing jobs market and within Craven College there are great opportunities to hear about any training.
It’s a great place to learn new skills.
Volunteer Administrator with WorcNet
How did you find out about volunteering at Craven College?
I heard about the voluntary job through Oasis which was a women’s drop in group where I met Sophie Wild and Debi Hawkins from the WorcNet project who asked me if I had thought about volunteering.
What do you do at the college?
I am the voluntary administrator for WorcNet, a project run by Craven College designed to promote women in business in the Yorkshire region.
What benefit have you got from this?
I have had many benefits from working in my voluntary role. I have been able to use some of the skills from my past working career. I have really enjoyed the social side of work and being able to network with many more people. The work is varied and interesting and I am lucky enough to work with very nice, vibrant people especially Sophie Wild who has been so helpful to me. It has increased my sense of wellbeing too. I missed being in a busy working environment and this job has helped to fill that gap!
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering?
I would say ‘give it a go’ it will improve your quality of life and give your life a boost with the combination of structure and social interaction that you need. It also allows you to keep up to date on various work skills and gives you a sense of ‘belonging’.
After contacting the Craven Volunteer centre enquiring about volunteering work in the craven area I was directed to register with a website called do-it.org. I set up an email alert for any volunteering opportunities in the local area. This is how I found out that Craven College was advertising for a horticulture volunteer position. This is an area of personal interest and also an area I would love to develop a career in.
After contacting the college I was offered a part-time volunteer position within the horticulture department. I’m learning and developing new skills and knowledge in an area of personal interest within a stimulating and helpful environment.
I really enjoy the outdoors and physical work and I’m also enjoying helping out a local institution and the local community in general. This position is giving me the opportunity to network in the field and help me identify further training and career opportunities. I see it as very beneficial to develop skills needed to help maintain local heritage, such as dry stone walling.
After I completed my degree I worked in administration – I’m now looking at a complete career change and I want to specialise in Horticulture or Arboriculture. Volunteering at Craven College helped me gain skills and knowledge whilst working in a practical environment.
