"Volunteering is such a large factor in improving wellbeing, it is a chance to meet new people...while helping the community."

Tina is a Trustee for North Herts and Stevenage CVS, we found out why she loves volunteering.

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I am an 18 year old student from Letchworth Garden City. I am a climate activist, local campaigner and volunteer. I am also heavily involved in local politics.

How long have you been a volunteer?

I have been a volunteer for most of my life and have a wealth of volunteer experience which started at school. I have coached athletics to disabled children and in the sixth form I took part in the school council, running charity events and helping out in history as part of the ambassador programme. In the local community, I have volunteered in a range of places such as a pop-up shop for a local homelessness charity and supported local community cafes. I recently became a Trustee at the North Herts & Stevenage Centre for Voluntary Services.

Why did you decide to start volunteering?

I decided to start volunteering to give back to the local community that I feel so passionately about. I became a Trustee because I wanted to use my volunteering experience and personal experiences to support and promote others undertaking volunteering opportunities and to aid the development of the voluntary sector in Hertfordshire.

What’s good about volunteering?

I find volunteering incredibly rewarding. It gives you the chance to make a positive difference to the local community and the world around you.

Biggest challenges you have faced as a volunteer?

There are a lot of preconceived ideas about the kinds of people that do certain kinds of volunteering. As a young working-class BAME woman that is a Trustee this is something I come across regularly

Why would you recommend volunteering to others?

Volunteering is such a large factor in improving wellbeing, it is a chance to meet new people, gain new skills and experiences while helping the community.