Blog: Volunteers' Week - small things make a big difference

u3a volunteer Ellen Wright’s motivation for making a difference in her community is entirely selfish.

“You get far more out of volunteering that you give,” she said. “I don’t think I do anything out of the ordinary.”

After retiring as an office manager five years ago, Ellen joined Glasgow West End u3a. She’s now in five groups.

But u3a isn’t her only volunteering role. Some years before retirement, Ellen took a bus service/traffic light problem to her local councillor.

“Shortly afterwards, he wanted to establish a community council and invited me to a meeting.” said Ellen. “Eight years on, I still thoroughly enjoy it and I’m now the Secretary of our local branch."

Volunteering was not something Ellen did when she worked full time.

”Several years before I retired, I saw a magazine article about retirement. It talked about not just preparing financially but also thinking and preparing for what you want to do with the rest of your life.

“I did want to do something fun and lighthearted so I joined u3a. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member and becoming more active in several groups. That’s how it started. Before I knew it, I didn’t have a spare minute but I’m not sitting bored at home.

Ellen also volunteers for a variety of other organisations, including Knightswood Connects, a project set up for senior residents in the area offering information, and helping tackle loneliness and social isolation. She said:

“During the pandemic, Knightswood Connects invited me to set up a health walking group and now host a health walk each week. It’s a way to get local people outdoors and talking to one another. I think we talk more than we walk!”

Ellen admits to being incredibly shy: “It takes a lot to meet people. In social situations, I’m dreadful, really awful. Yet I’ll talk to the council and, recently spoke out at the Scottish Parliament when the Scottish Government was reviewing its Community Empowerment Act.

“I’m not doing these things from any sense of being good or looking for sainthood. Sorting little things, like a traffic light or a health walk can make such a difference in everyday life to so many people. I firmly believe volunteering is really good fun, whether it’s been stewarding at the European Championships in Glasgow, or the city’s annual Open Doors Day, and at this year’s World Cycling championships.

“I benefit too as I’m kept busy, I’m not bored, I’m not isolated, I meet such interesting people and I keep in touch with the world.”

Drawn to the more social side of u3a activities, Ellen helps to organise Ventures with a bus pass, a Sunday lunch group, and a successful MOTO (Members on Their Own) group. She commented:

“Older age is about your attitude, it’s not necessarily physical. If you want to go out and do things, you can with u3a.”

Ellen is also passionate about digital inclusion.

“So many of our citizens are digitally excluded from events and decision making. When I was told that a book festival program was only available online I, and others, contacted our elected officials about the lack of printed programmes.

“I understand there is a cost and it uses up resources, however, information which is solely online excludes many older people, and others who experience digital poverty.” Ellen was happy to report hard copies were made available.

Her next focus is that Glasgow City Council will appoint an older people’s champion.

“I tell people it’s easy to write or email your local elected representatives and make your point directly to them.

“Volunteering does make a difference and is a valuable asset for the country. I can’t imagine life without volunteering and everyone can have a go.”