Volunteer News and Views Summer 2014 | Page 10

VN&V Summer 2014 Spotlight on volunteer roles What else do volunteers do? We have 15,000 volunteers across Barnardo’s who contribute to all aspects of our work… Rani Kaur, Big Toddle and events volunteer I’ve had various roles here. I got involved with Barnardo’s just over a year ago, when we were getting ready for a Big Toddle event. I was the main leader for the Young Voices concert in the O2 in London, distributing and collecting money. Getting to listen to the young people sing was incredible. I’ve also done leaflet dropping, getting nurseries/schools to take part in the Big Toddle. 10 I like to do all I can to help vulnerable children. I want to contribute something towards Barnardo’s great work. Making a difference and putting a big smile on children’s faces feels like the biggest achievement. For this role you need to be energetic, fun and enthusiastic, and know how to have a laugh. Margaret Clark, Ambassador I first became involved with Barnardo’s in 2008, when I started volunteering with Barnardo’s Against Child Exploitation (ACE) service in Teesside. Through supporting ACE and later SECOS, I was recently asked to be an Ambassador for the organisation. For me, it becomes part of your life. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you just think “could this help Barnardo’s?”. Being an ambassador involves speaking at and organising events such as coffee mornings, raising awareness and educating people. I live in a community that is quite comfortably off, so people often can’t believe that something like child sexual exploitation would happen in their area, but sadly it does. I use other groups I belong to, such as the Soroptimists International and a local ladies’ group to network and for fundraising support – some people call me Mrs Barnardo’s! I’m really passionate about our work, and I enjoy using my influence to help bring people along with me and care about what I’m doing.