Positive volunteering experiences

[MrsAvocet]

There have been a few threads recently where those of us who volunteer, especially with young people's organisations, have talked about the negatives. All of that is real of course - I have plenty of gripes of my own - but I thought it might be nice to share some of the nice things about volunteering.
I had a lovely email this week from the mother of one of the youngsters I coach, just saying how much participating in our sport is boosting his self confidence and that they really appreciate the time and effort I put into running the club. I don't think I've really done anything special for this kid though I am aware he is quite anxious and I do try to consider that when I'm coaching and it was just really nice to get feedback that it's helping him. One message like that is worth at least 10 of the moany ones.
Anybody got any positive experiences, big or small, that they'd like to share?

I love volunteering as a scout leader. Yes I have a moan now again (mostly about parents) but genuinely enjoy it.

I feel rewarded by delivering experiences to young people. I've learned new skills and had new experiences myself. I've made some great friends.

I also volunteer on a charity board.

Both roles are good for my professional development and are great on my cv.

I’m a long time Leader in Guiding. I’ve had some lovely messages from my more supportive parents . Loving what we do , their girls can’t wait for each meeting etc . It makes me happy and I ignore the shenanigans from HQ.

I volunteer with a sports club. The person I took over from said they found it 90% enjoyment, 10% a pain and I think I'd agree.

I have had some amazing experiences this past year and made great friends who have given me support and encouragement in the sport, in volunteering and in life. I love being part of something like this.

After reading threads on here I paid close attention at our last session. We have teenage coaches who gave their time for the reward of a small amount of time to do their own thing in decent facilities, they had fun, they coached others professionally and with good humour and enthusiasm. Some of them are promising competitive athletes in their own right.

I was very glad to notice quite a few thank yous going on.

I love it and there is very little I would change about it.

Occasionally it feels like a bit too much pressure and DH says "why can't someone else do it?" and quite honestly they're all just as busy doing other stuff for the club, fitted into their own hectic lives.

I don't really get much feedback from parents, but just watching the children enjoying themselves each week is enough for me.

I remember talking to a parent one week who said she used not bringing them along to Beavers as a punishment if they'd misbehaved. I'd never thought of that!

The other thing I've loved over the 20 years I've been Scouting is seeing the difference in the children and YP I've worked with. I've moved sections to the youngest ones now and we have Young Leaders, who I've known since they were Beavers and they're really an asset to us.

I volunteer as a cat fosterer for my local shelter & I love it. I’ve got 2 gorgeous kittens living with me at the moment.

The only downside is saying goodbye to the cats, but there’s always a new one coming along & I love getting the updates & photos from their new homes.

For everyone who volunteers with children or teenagers in any capacity, research shows that for children who have experienced trauma, having an adult outside their family take an interest in them and encourage them is a major factor in how much that trauma affects them.

You may be having a more profound impact on some youngsters lives than you realise.

I volunteered with -
Samaritans
A women's centre
A hospice

I loved every role. I felt valued and appreciated and I enjoyed feeling like I was making a difference

I volunteered as an appropriate adult for children and young people for several years and then went on and trained in social work. The experience literally changed my life and it was a privilege to be able to stand in when they didn't have someone else who could do it. The vast majority had come from chaotic homes and the stories they told me had such a profound impact that I had to try and do more.