Volunteering Week is here!

Every colleague across the Society has the opportunity to volunteer some of their time to a charitable or community organisation that is close to them. This can be done during their work time and is a great way to engage with local communities.

We have made some fantastic connections with local organisations and colleagues now attend these on a regular basis to volunteer.. Newport Dogs Home, Glebelands Miniature Railway, Dragons Sporting Memories and Growing Space at Tredegar House have all had our volunteers working with them frequently. One recent partnership is with Sight Life, volunteering in their Pedal Power initiative which has lead to the Society working with them to improve our website and regulatory printed materials for partially sighted members.

We spoke to two colleagues, Kristy our Head of Retail who has supported the creation of some of the opportunities for our Colleague in the Community volunteering initiative and Shauna-Louise who does a lot of volunteering especially at Newport Dogs Home, for an insight into what it’s about and what it means to them.

What are you most proud of about our Colleague in the Community scheme?

Kristy - Our Colleagues and their commitment to supporting our communities. I absolutely love learning about new opportunities and seeing the difference we can make.

Shauna-Louise - I am pleased that the Society lets us take time out of our working day to help those charities and businesses in need.

Why is it important that a company gives colleagues the opportunity to volunteer?

Kristy – As a Building Society, working with and for our communities is the reason we are here. Being able to give back is important for our colleagues.

Shauna-Louise - By giving us volunteering opportunities, we can take a few hours out of our day to help those in need as well as helping our colleagues to interact with others. Acts of kindness can boost ours and others happiness and confidence.

Most of the volunteering is physical and moving around more helps our physical and mental health, volunteering can be beneficial to the person, colleagues, others, animals and the charities themselves.

How do we select charitable/not for profit organisations to work with?

Kristy - For me it’s ensuring that we have alignment with our values and we can understand what is needed and how we can help.

What personally do you enjoy about volunteering?

Kristy - Being able to help others and take time out to see the difference it can make is so important. Through Colleague in the Community I’ve been able to meet some amazing and inspiring people.

Shauna-Louise - I love volunteering with All Creatures Great & Small and Newport City Dogs Home, they both help care for abandoned and stray animals until they can help to re-home them.  I help to walk them, clean their kennels and give them lots of fuss & attention to make a difference to their day.

Over the last year, I have struggled with my mental health and helping with the animals has really boosted my own wellbeing, helping me to switch off and be in the moment.

What is your favourite moment while volunteering?

Shauna-Louise – There are a couple of moments that stick out for me.

Volunteering for bucket collections at the Wales & Croatia football match, we had raised over £600 for Shelter Cymru. Wales had also won, both great results!

The Newport City Dogs Home, and many shelters, saw an influx of XL Bully’s to be taken in when the ban happened in October. They tried to find their forever homes before the ban came into force. They are a affectionate, playful and loyal breed and with the right care and training they make perfect companions.

I really wanted to help this misunderstood breed and used social media and our internal communications to raise awareness. Newport City Dogs Home had arranged for those not adopted to be taken into a safe haven. I also organised a collection for the remaining dogs to receive a treat or toy at Christmas. The work at this charity was incredible and really paid off at such a challenging time. I was pleased to be able to help them in this project.

Find out more about projects we can support through our Colleague in the Community initiative.