Be inspired!

OK. So you still need some inspiration. Check out these real-life stories of young volunteers and just why you should give five minutes, weeks or months by some names you might recognise. (If you would like to add your story, do the right thing & contact us.)

Case Study 1: Joe Moan

Case Study 2: Melissa Maitland

Case Study 3: Sara Wallace

Case Study 4: Dianne Dominique Theakstone

Case Study 5: Alistair Boyd

Case Study 6: Khris Beattie

 

Quotes from famous and influential people:

"Enthusiasm, commitment, skill. Make your CV burn bright. Volunteer."

— Duncan Bannatyne, Scottish Entrepreneur and "dragon" in BBC’s Dragon’s Den

 

"Volunteering, as well as being a fun and fulfilling activity for people of all ages, can significantly improve your skills and experiences and also help to make your CV and applications stand out from the rest. The employers we work with are increasingly looking to attract and employ individuals who can prove a broad range of skills beyond those specifically associated with the workplace. One of the biggest challenges facing young people entering employment, especially for the first time, is showing they have relevant experience and providing examples for those difficult interview questions like "Tell me about a time when you have....". Volunteering could provide the answers."

 

— James Tindell, ESV Programme Manager, Scottish Business in the Community

 

"The Scottish Government is keen to create a Scotland where anyone who wants to volunteer can do so readily.  Please accept my best wishes for the future of Power of 5 and its continuing success."

— Wendy Stirling Youth Work Team, Scottish Government, on behalf of Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland.

 

"Volunteering is really important. Time is the one thing that everyone is able to give and it is so rewarding to see projects that you've been involved in enrich and change people's lives. When I was young I volunteered. I worked with a homeless charity, I campaigned for laws to be changed and raised money for people in developing countries. The friends I made during that time are people I'm still in touch with. Working with young people is amazing 'cause you can be the gap between what they get at home, from their friends and what they get (or don't get) from school. I was in a youth group that changed my life when I was a teenager, it gave me more confidence, got me into music and made me friends who were into the same things… and who are still my best friends. It gave me new aspirations; no one in my family had ever been to university but hanging out with different people made me realise I could and should go… and I did."

— Corinne Bailey Rae, singer

"People can make a difference to communities as well as individuals by volunteering. It's an excellent concept and not only makes you feel good about yourself but more importantly makes others feel good about themselves as well."

— Hearts captain and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon

"HMV supports all kinds of volunteering by young people. Volunteer and learn new skills, meet new friends and make a real difference to your community."

— Gennaro Castaldo, HMV spokesperson

"As you will see from this website, volunteers take on lots of different roles, but the one over-riding theme is that of enjoyment — every person who volunteers enjoys what they do. People are surprised how small a commitment is needed by a volunteer — it may only be a couple of hours a week — but a little bit of time set aside to help others makes a huge difference, not only to the organisations receiving the help but to the volunteers themselves."

— Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic athlete