Change, it is such a multi-use word. It can relate to tyres, the weather, my mood or the country. It is a word that has been doing a lot of heavy lifting in the UK media over the last two months and is lined up for a lot of use for the rest of the year. “Vive le changement” as they say where I will be holidaying soon.
If we have learnt anything from the history of the last 15 years, it is surely that change comes at you whether you asked for it or not! The question for the Voluntary Sector, and those whose commitment to helping see positive change in others circumstances, is how we ensure that we can be the change we want to see?
Whether it’s promoting and inspiring or strengthening the diversity of contribution, we can’t be static in the honeymoon months of a new Government. Whether for national campaigning groups, service delivery organisations, mutual aid or every town, villages, suburban entities, the need for those at the cutting edges, areas largely vacated by public services, to be the force for positive change is paramount. The experience of volunteers, seeing the reality of people’s lives, is what really matters and can bring and influence wider change.
Volunteering and Change
Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis opened eyes to how vital the on the ground capacity of volunteering and volunteers is. With that comes power and responsibility. The power is quickly manifesting itself in this “fresh start” with a new, more collaborative approach promised towards our sector from National Government. We have a responsibility here, should good intentions turn into positive action, to ensure said approach is never taken away again. We are serious people in serious times.
In a world where the loudest voice isn’t always the most perceptive or productive and where attention spans can be short it is imperative, that our individual and collective experience helps shape the future and ensures any substantive change is helpful. Volunteering is the quickest and most effective way to bring change. Whether it is just small scale or the first step in a thousand-mile march, our contribution is the change that is needed everywhere.
Michael Green. Project Manager, Volunteering Kingston.
July 2024.
Want to begin volunteering and bring positive changes to Kingston? Browse roles on our Team Kinetic Site. Alternatively, see how volunteering organisations manifest these changes in our most recent spotlight story!