Volunteers' Week 2017
Volunteers' Week is a national, annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. As an educational charity we rely on the incredible and continuous support of our volunteers.
2017 marks the 10th year of At-Bristol's volunteer progamme and in this period we have worked with over 1000 local volunteers. Currently we receive 4000 hours of volunteer support a year giving us the largest volunteer programme in a science centre outside of London.
This week we are thanking all of those who give their time to inspire, to bring people together, and to make the world a better place. Read their stories below
1/7 - Jo Bryant
I am very passionate about the positive difference volunteering can make to volunteers themselves, their community and society as a whole. My first job was working on an international youth programme with Voluntary Service Overseas. It was great to be involved and learn from volunteer experiences and impacts from all over the world. What was as important was what the youth volunteers did once they got back – this included campaigning on global justice issues such as Fair Trade or raising awareness in their own communities about what it means to be global citizens. I then worked with a tiny grassroots charity in West Cornwall developing a volunteer programme to support young people at risk. Afterwards, I came to At-Bristol which I love. The staff who work with volunteers, the volunteers themselves and the community infrastructure in Bristol is deeply inspiring and so great to work with. I feel very lucky to be part of such an amazing team!
Why did you get into volunteering?
I volunteered at school when I was 17 on a MENCAP holiday scheme and have been involved with volunteering for over 25 years since! I love both being a volunteer and working with volunteers. The positivity and passion of volunteers is a joy to be around and makes the world a much better place to be!
What would you say to someone who has never volunteered before?
There are so many amazing opportunities out there whatever your background or motivation. It can be so much fun - there are countless skills you can learn and new experiences to be had. There is definitely a volunteer role to suit everyone.
What is your dream for the At-Bristol volunteer programme?
I am delighted that we now have the largest volunteer programme in any science centre outside of London and our challenge is to keep the quality of our volunteer experience high. I am really keen to ensure that the diversity of our volunteers reflects the Bristol community and that our volunteers are fully integrated into all aspects of what At-Bristol does. Making the most of all our volunteers’ skills and experiences can be a challenge but it is a lovely one to have!
2/7 - Susan Howe
I have worked with 35 charitable organisations/businesses since I began volunteering in 2000. I split my life 4 ways – theatre, work, volunteering, socialising (not necessarily in that order) and I love it. I have been working as a technician in non-professional theatre since I was 14. I really enjoy being involved in a myriad of productions across many genres each year and I have since progressed to writing/directing my own plays and even acting sometimes as well.
I have continued volunteering with At-Bristol for lots of reasons, but one of them has to be the staff. Every single time I am there the staff are smiling, laughing and obviously enjoying their jobs – front of house and behind the scenes. Working with them and being trained by them is a joy. They always make me feel wanted and welcome, they always treat me with respect and are there to help/answer questions all the time. I am proud to work with all of them.
Why did you get into volunteering?
I started volunteering to put something back into the community. I love the City of Bristol for its diversity and because it is a wonderful place to live that knows how to celebrate with all the festivals, carnivals, concerts, theatres, fairs and events that weave their way across the city each and every month. I began working with the WRVS and St Peters Hospice first, but then more and more opportunities arose and I have been lucky enough to work with The Comedy Garden, British Paraorchestra, Redfest, BrisFest, Redland May Day Fair and many other such fantastic entertaining events. I have been able to help backstage at The Colston Hall, The Bristol Hippodrome, The Old Vic and Bristol Cathedral along with some other fabulous historical venues in the City.
What have been some highlights when volunteering with At-Bristol?
Playing with robots at Toddler Takeover was a great experience. Seeing children build their own Scribblebots was brilliant. Definitely the best volunteering experience of my life so far however, was helping with The British Paraorchestra when they performed at The Birmingham Symphony Hall in February 2017. Without At-Bristol I would not have had that life enhancing opportunity.
I enjoy working on the Hello! Weekends because the children are always especially excited and so very keen to show their families and friends around the science centre.
Who inspires you?
I am proud to know the award winning Jenny Foster and consider her one of my closest friends. She worked tirelessly with The Fairtrade Foundation for 10 years and has recently transferred her skills to work for The Leprosy Mission. Her consistent drive and determination continues to astound me. She works extremely hard to help people who are unable to help themselves and to educate us of their plight.
What would you say to someone who is considering become a volunteer?
One of the highlights of volunteering anywhere is helping people. Seeing people enjoy themselves doing something you have given them the chance to learn about.
Some charities can only survive because of their volunteers, so one great reason to give up your time is to keep these wonderful organisations going in whatever they do, be it recycling wood to ensure less and less each year goes to landfill or creating beautiful gardens for hospice patients to enjoy.
You get to meet some likeminded people because it is a certain sort of person who consistently gives up their time to help others, so you have something in common with them immediately. Lifetime friendships can be forged.
You get to learn new skills as you are trained by each company to use their tools, their equipment, drive their vehicles – sometimes you even get to learn enough to become a teacher yourself.
They say travel broadens the mind, some lucky people take the chance to go all over the world when volunteering – going places they had only dreamed of and making a real difference to the lives of others.
3/7 - Jamie Edwards
I’m a University Student studying Biomedical Science. I enjoy science whether volunteering or in labs conducting crazy experiments. I also love exploring natural coasts and looking at the geographical wonders of the world.
I wanted to gain experience and learn to work with an audience that I have never worked with before. I am loving volunteering and gaining more and more skills to add to my CV.
What have been some of your favourite moments when volunteering with At-Bristol?
Making a mess in tinkering with the air table. Experimenting with what objects fly the highest with children and how many paper cake cases we can fly at one time!
What have you learnt from your time with us so far?
Communication skills and difference science skills that I wouldn’t have learnt anywhere else. Volunteering in school workshops are also great because the techniques are linked with my university course and I get to learn the skills here at At-Bristol before I do them for exams! An extra practise!
Expectations vs. Reality
It’s better than expected, I’ve learnt so much more than I expected to and hope to learn so much more.
4/7 - Chris Sims
I am retired from full-time work but do some occasional consultancy work and co-own a hire company. I am a Trustee of At-Bristol, and also a Trustee for Tobacco Factory Theatres. Being a trustee as well as a volunteer gives me a unique perspective on At-B. I like variety, and volunteering here provides some different opportunities in quite unusual aspects.
Why did you get into volunteering?
I wanted to volunteer with activities involving children, and liked that At-Bristol offers volunteering as much or as little as you like.
What have been some of your favourite moments when volunteering with At-Bristol?
Working with a marketing consultant for the Food exhibits; making Crispie cakes.
Who are you inspired by and why?
No particular individual, but I respect people who get things done, particularly against the odds.
What would you say to someone who is considering become a volunteer?
What is there not to like?
What have you learnt from your time with us so far?
Most of all that we have some very fine people working for us.
5/7 - Mabby Alam
At the moment I’m a film student at UCA – I’ve always been creative or into arts and I stumbled into filmmaking about 3 years ago. I think my love of what I do was kick-started by me constantly watching YouTube and films like any teenager at the time!
Why did you get into volunteering?
I mainly wanted to be proactive – I was 16, I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to continue in the science route or in art so when I found At-Bristol I saw they had volunteering opportunities and read into it more. I found out you could actually get to interact and play around for a few hours in the science centre and thought it was too good to not try out, I have great memories of when I was a kid and came here so for me getting to relive it was awesome. It also had the right balance of science and creativity which was perfect for me.
What have been some of your favourite moments when volunteering with At-Bristol?
The Harbour festival will always be up there at the top. We were in a tent in the heart of the festival and we got to experiment a new prototype exhibit on the public. I had never been to the festival before and it was cool to be part of it. The funniest moment was when we were promoting our tent on social media and one of the visitors tweeted a picture of us – You get to make cool fun memories like that and you can look back on.
Who are you inspired by?
If I’m ever asked that question I will always draw blank. But I will say that anyone who is making positive changes or doing something different in the world. I come from a traditional Asian family background and I like breaking down the stereotypes and walls because I don’t think anyone should be limited in their potential because of a culture or backgrounds. So anyone who is doing the same I can relate to.
What would you say to someone who is considering become a volunteer?
Go for it! It was the best thing I did, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have grown in confidence with working with people. I wouldn’t have learnt SO much about science and wouldn’t have been able to make amazing friends in the process. If you’re looking for somewhere to gain experience for a job or uni or just because you want to do something different then I definitely think At-Bristol offers that.
What have you learnt from your time with At-Bristol so far?
Apart from all the science related goodness.. Plenty. Volunteering just gives you the chance to always be learning and doing things constantly – it’s never ending and you will always go in for a shift and come out with something new to tell your mates…. or your mum!
Expectations vs. reality
In all honesty I did not have a clue on what to expect. All I knew was that it was in a cool place and I get to work with the staff there. When I did get there it was so much more interactive than I thought it would be. You can spend a whole day talking to hundreds of visitors about an exhibit or activity that you are really into and I think that’s what made it great, you’re enjoying it from start to finish.
6/7 - Ian Montgomery-Sporle
I work full time for Ford as a Senior Credit controller, I am an avid reader, mainly within the scientific community, Physics & Astrophysics. I am currently studying for a degree in Planetary Sciences with Astronomy via long distance learning with Birkbeck College, part of UCL. In my free time I take my son out to soft play activities, At Bristol & the Zoo.
Why did you get into volunteering?
My partner and I were looking at adoption, and needed to gain experience with children of all ages and abilities. With my scientific background and interests At Bristol was the perfect place for me to volunteer.
What have been some of your favourite moments/highlights when volunteering with At-Bristol?
I loved doing the Food Outreach for the Food Exhibit. It was great as I got too meet loads of people who you wouldn’t get involved with volunteering within LST. I got to work with the Marketing team which was an amazing opportunity to be thrown in at the deep end and learn the techniques of how to speak to someone you don’t know and was very handy to be able to transfer those skills to working within At Bristol.
Who are you inspired by?
I was and still am inspired by my Parents who said follow your dreams, and I am. I’m also very inspired by Stephen Hawking & Albert Einstein who are and were legends within their fields of expertise.
Expectations vs. Reality
I honestly had no idea what I would be doing, after speaking with Jo Bryant I got a whistle stop tour of what I would be doing, where and when, however, after starting it was so much more than I had anticipated. You are able to get involved with a lot more than just a general interaction with the visitors, you can get involved with VS, events and the office staff who put together the activities, marketing and more.
What would you say to someone who is considering become a volunteer?
Do It !! Its an amazing experience and worth every minute. You get to meet some amazing people from the general public and some amazing volunteers who are working on doing their ‘A’ Levels all the way up to PhDs.
I’ve learnt a lot about At Bristol, and how it operates. Also I’ve learnt information about different fields of science that have broadened my interests.
7/7 - Thank You
Over the past 10 years, we have worked with over 1000 volunteers in At-Bristol and we couldn't do what we do without them.
Thank you to all those who continue to dedicate their time in volunteering to inspire, to bring people together, and to make the world a better place to be.
#thankyouvolunteers!