The power of tech to make a difference
We’ve all become so reliant upon technology in recent weeks – to work remotely, keep in touch with family and friends and up-to-date with the news. Now it’s playing an essential role in enabling meaningful volunteering to take place too.
Our volunteer readers have swapped paperbacks for phone screens, to record themselves sharing much loved stories and connect with school pupils during lockdown. This week a regular Marks & Spencer reading volunteer has recorded their telling of The Atrocious Fairytale by Daniel Errico for pupils at King Solomon Academy to enjoy.
The telephone discussion groups continue successfully and since the Easter weekend 30 Paddington employees have registered their interest in hosting a future call. Whilst the calls offer much valued companionship for the older guests who join them, there are considerable benefits to be gained for volunteers too, as the accounts of two Tishman Speyer colleagues who have recently hosted calls show:
“For me it was the chance to volunteer in the community and give a little back and feel useful. Within a very short time they were all talking happily as a group and finding they had things/places/past careers in common; with my colleague and I chipping in now and again to keep the conversation flowing. A lovely experience.” Carol Weston, Tishman Speyer
“Hearing the life stories of these interesting ladies was inspirational and finding topics to talk about came easily. I so enjoyed the hour and it was time up before we realised it. I am ready to do more of these calls - I would happily be a volunteer once a week! It costs nothing but a little of your time to give pleasure to others.” Dee Sheehy, Tishman Speyer
We are hugely grateful to our tele-conference call provider Flip Connect, who have generously discounted the costs of these calls for us during this time.
A fantastic response has been seen from volunteers willing to host virtual career talks, with 12 colleagues registering an interest this week alone from British Land, Derwent London and Vodafone. Between them colleagues will talk about accountancy, sustainability, health and safety, planning, property management and electronic engineering, providing students with unique insight into a variety of careers and routes into employment.
Marketing insight has been provided by Mars and Derwent London, where colleagues responded to a request from Paddington Development Trust to review their website and communication around COVID-19. The colleagues have provided the charity with comprehensive written feedback, as well as support over the phone to share insights and suggestions. The Community Programme is working closely with PDT to launch IT workshops in the coming weeks via Zoom, and hope some of these colleagues will be able to return and share their knowledge of technology and communication with the charity’s service users.
We’re also excited to be partnering with Neighbourcare to launch virtual quizzes for the elderly who are particularly isolated at this time. This means we are calling out for quiz masters to prepare rounds of questions and host fun-filled, feel good afternoons of a little light hearted entertainment. If you would be interested in this opportunity, or learning more about any of our virtual volunteering roles, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
18.04.20
