PeerLink volunteers making a difference

Tuesday 4th May 2010

Positive thoughts on young people and volunteering

All too often in this day and age, I see or hear about an occurrence on the news to do with young people, very rarely positive; someone’s been shot, stabbed, beaten up, killed and so on, then all too often it’s followed up with a comment such as “What’s the world coming to? What’s wrong with young people nowadays? We wouldn’t do that in our day”, and more of the like (and yes…I’ve made these comments too). So when I visit schools and youth clubs to deliver work on conflict resolution, I always feel gratified, honoured and amazed at the capacity and insight that the next generation truly have.

I’ve been amazed even further at the “power of youth” from the volunteers residential I was on recently with PeerLink members old and new: witnessing that willingness to just try something different, the team building and the bonds that were created at the end.

The residential’s main theme was to explore the nature and possibilities of volunteering. We introduced and explored 5 areas of volunteering that we have at PeerLink and Leap: facilitation, supporting peer volunteers, consultation, raising awareness and public speaking. The group facilitated many games and shared their paths to becoming a volunteer; this was interesting for me considering my own journey from PeerLink member to volunteer and now to someone who trains and supports PeerLink volunteers.

We also illustrated the point that our own everyday skills can be gifts to utilise when in the field of volunteering and beyond. Throughout the day, one of the things that shone for me was this groups’ willingness to work with new people and facilitate activities for the group. Another highlight was the level of focus, engagement and encouragement throughout the entire weekend.

Although I can’t speak for the participants, I had an awesome weekend that left me feeling inspired afterwards and even more willing to turn around to someone who says that this generation are going to the dogs and say “No it isn’t…”

Alex King, Leap Young Trainer (and former PeerLink volunteer)