Hip hip hooray for Jersey's volunteers!

Saturday 05 December 2020

The thousands of kind-hearted individuals that help the island's charities keep running are being celebrated today.

Saturday 5 December is International Volunteers Day, a recognition of the role that volunteers fulfil particularly in so many charities, especially in Jersey where several hundred such charities rely largely on volunteers to sustain their activities.

In this blog, the Association of Jersey Charities recognises those that make Jersey's third sector so special...

"The Association of Jersey Charities comprises almost 300 members most of whom could not operate without a workforce driven more by commitment than monetary reward,” says chairman Kevin Keen.

“Furthermore, when a call was made at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis for volunteer help to assist their fellow Islanders, more than 3,000 people responded. This is a true measure of how well-established ‘volunteering’ for good causes is in the Island. We applaud every one of them.”

What makes people want to volunteer always for no reward other than perhaps a sense of self-fulfilment? Peter, who volunteers at Jersey Zoo has one answer.

Pictures: The passionate volunteers of Durrell Wildlife.

“Why should I give up a chunk of my precious time to work for nothing twice a week? For many it may be a passion for the cause they are supporting. For me, when it came to supporting Durrell Wildlife, helping to save species from extinction was sufficient reason in itself.”

A volunteer for Relate gives another compelling reason. “I retired and overnight became an OAP! I wanted to keep busy both mentally and physically. Volunteering not only gave me that privilege, but also enabled me to give something back.”

Jersey Heritage relies on volunteers for many of its activities, many discovering for themselves just how fascinating a place Jersey has been down the ages and developing their own newfound skills. “I enjoy volunteering with Jersey Heritage because when I am on duty as a tour guide, I interact with such a variety of interesting people as well as working alongside so many great staff on site. What’s more we often share a laugh and smiles work both ways!”

Pictured: Jersey Heritage Trust guide, Daniel River.

A volunteer for the Jersey Employment Trust makes a similar comment. “I volunteer for Acorn Enterprises because of the happy, cheerful atmosphere and the welcome given to me. The people I work with are great and we always have a laugh and chat. What I get out of it is meeting some lovely friendly people and knowing that I am helping a very worthy cause.”

A Grace Trust volunteer puts it quite succinctly. “Volunteering is like a therapy for me. A reason to get out of bed in the morning and a worthwhile feeling of being able to give something back.”

Pictured: Volunteers at the CRY charity shop.

John, another volunteer at Jersey Zoo, sums up what is likely to be true for most volunteers, whatever their commitment. “I volunteer because it is the finest way to give some of your time to a good cause. It helps me to appreciate that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving. After giving up a few hours of my time each week, it gives me a great feeling of satisfaction and pride and being part of a wonderful team inspires us all.”

In 1917, Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman, when inspiring members of his business community to join a movement he was starting, stated, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.” The movement became Lions Clubs International which today comprises more than two million volunteers worldwide serving their local communities.

Pictured: Jersey Heritage Trust volunteer Pippa makes a mosaic.

The Association of Jersey Charities is proud to represent the hundreds of volunteers that their members comprise. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the ‘third sector’ and the AJC wants to thank all the volunteers . Jersey has a great track record for volunteering, and this was never more apparent than in the dark days of lockdown earlier in the year. 

Volunteers! The AJC salutes you all.