In the centre of it all, in the centre of it all…

I had a pleasure last week of attending the end of volunteer’s week event celebrating young volunteers supported by both Engage Renfrewshire and Erskine Arts. It was a fantastic evening and made all the much better by the hearing first hand from young people about how much their lives had been changed through volunteering.

There was something so powerful in their personal testimonies; lived experiences, genuinely authentic. Their personal stories brought emotion - making the messages about the benefits of volunteering their time much more memorable and impactful. Overall, personal testimony is a powerful tool for communication, connection, and positive change. Whether it's in a personal conversation, a public speech, or through written narratives, sharing our stories can have a profound impact on both the storyteller and the audience.

We all are more likely to remember how a story made us feel rather than just remembering the facts, right? And I’m sure there was young people in the room that were encouraged to hear that others have gone through similar challenges – these were stories that provided hope and reassurance.

It really was a good room to be in; with tales of resilience and why volunteering matters. It helped me remember that there’s a wonderful, positive, spirit in many of our communities – and the young people being celebrated at the event are brilliant examples of that positive spirit.

If you want to know more about volunteering in Renfrewshire click below:

https://engagerenfrewshire.org/engage-support/volunteering.html

All the best

Alan