Volunteers' week is a time of year when we recognise and thank all the volunteers who contribute to WEA. We value the skills, enthusiasm and energy our volunteers bring.
To mark volunteers week this year, I wanted to reflect on a trend we’ve been seeing at WEA: volunteering as a route into work. Volunteering can be a way to give back, a way to use existing skills and a powerful step towards paid employment.
I’ve often seen how volunteering helps people build confidence, develop skills and reconnect with the world of work – and over the past year 21% of those who express an interest in volunteering at WEA say their main motivation is to gain experience for employment. This shows just how important volunteering can be as a stepping stone.
When we know our volunteers' motivations, we can develop our volunteer offer around them. In fact, rather than describing volunteering as a programme we are increasingly using the words pathway and journey – aiming to make it an experience that supports people at different stages of their lives and ambitions. This is especially important for WEA learners who are interested in becoming volunteers themselves.
Over the last two months I’ve seen our volunteers move into roles as WEA Tutors, Enrolment & Onboarding Agents and Support Workers. It’s lovely to see their progression in action and has encouraged me to think about what more we can do to support this journey.
Some of the ways we are building this pathway include:
- Proactively sharing our paid opportunities with volunteers so they can see what might be possible next
- Having conversations about personal goals and motivation during volunteer induction so we better understand and support aspirations
- Encouraging confidence and self-belief, particularly for those who may be returning to work after time away
At the same time, we know that employment is just one of many motivations. Many volunteers are also driven by a desire to help others and a passion for adult learning, showing the strong alignment between our volunteers and WEA’s mission.
Overall, this reminds us that volunteering is not one-size-fits-all. It is a flexible, meaningful experience that can support people to give back, grow in confidence, develop skills and, for some, take their next steps into employment.
Thank you to all our volunteers for the time, care and commitment you bring. Your contribution makes a real difference.
