Volunteer Magic... by Liz Cluderay

In my role at Craft Aid International I am responsible for the role of volunteers in our organisation.
It's my job to organise them (well, try!) Make sure everyone has the training they need and we have the right people in the right place for sessions and school visits and events etc.

Even though it's my job and I'm doing it most days, I'm still in awe of people who volunteer their time to charities.
This is time that they could be seeing friends or doing their own chores or any number of many tasks I'm sure they have on a mental list like all of us.
But instead they selflessly give their time to improve someone else's life.
And that they do.
Of course they'll tell you they love the craft making, the company and friendship and it's only a couple of hours, but to us as an organisation it's priceless.
And to our participants it's a really big deal.
It's huge. 

That companionship for the afternoon working on a mosaic or creating some cards means the world to our participants. It's conversation. It's someone interested in who they are and what they like, what they've been up to and boom, just like that they feel important.
How magical is that !?
I think it's incredible and I am humbled to witness it every week.

I see the enjoyment our volunteers get from seeing the difference they make. There's often many a tear shed after a school session where you see participants being accepted and treated kindly by children who have not yet been tainted by society's assumption that being differently-able means you don't have anything to contribute other than making people feel awkward to be around you.

There is no awkward here.
Only love and acceptance

Magic

I think that's what volunteering is, it creates magical moments.
So if you volunteer at your child's school or your local charity then thank you for the magic, and if you don't, why don't you come and make some magic with us ?

We'd love to have you.

Written by Liz Cluderay . 
(If you'd like to get involved and find out more about volunteering opportunities with us, email Liz here: liz.cluderay@craftaidinternational.org) 

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