Volunteer Team Leeds celebrates one hour at a time
From early morning’s spent signalling on the sidelines of the school sports pitch, to late nights setting up exhibitions at an art gallery, there is a wide array of both formal and informal volunteering activity across the city, around the clock. But time is a luxury not all of us can afford to give.
Leeds City Council’s user-friendly platform Volunteer Team Leeds aims to match volunteers with a range of opportunities that fit into busy lifestyles. Last year, volunteers like Elizabeth, Bertram and Saanvi contributed to over 7,000 hours of skills to support causes close to their heart.
Elizabeth’s story
For Elizabeth, it was the peaceful sanctuary provided by her local landscape during the pandemic which prompted her to join Volunteer Team Leeds. “I became involved with the Park Rangers after retiring in March 2020, just as lockdown started. For the next three months, I walked every afternoon around Middleton woods. I explored every path and route and realised how cared for the woods were. I have known Middleton woods all my life and spent many an hour playing on the clearings and having picnics and walks. I became involved with the Rangers because I felt the woods had kept me going through the pandemic and felt I owed it some commitment.”
Monday to Sunday, come rain or shine, up to a hundred hands support regular and roaming groups on public rights of way, wildlife surveys, clearing cemeteries, tree planting and thinning, seed collecting and sewing, hedge laying and much more. But it’s not only Leeds’ 4000 hectares of green space that is shaped by volunteers’ expertise.
Betram’s story
Bertram was recently invited to input into Screen Yorkshire's strategic Growth Plan, a vision aimed at attracting production companies to the region and improving infrastructure for local crew. “I definitely felt out of my depth sitting next to producers, festival directors and cinematographers with far more experience, but I am really glad I attended. I was able to give a perspective from someone who is starting out in their career and suggest a few ideas of changes to implement. Fortunately, the volunteer positions I have had played a crucial role in some of my freelance work. In November I was a Venue Assistant for Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF), where I supported the evening’s operations, venues and screenings. Here, I was able to gain an understanding of what active audiences want from new releases and how spectator viewing habits are evolving, knowledge I can then utilise in my own career.”
Leeds Film is just one of the many passionate and purposeful programmes which recruit through the Volunteer Team Leeds platform, advertising opportunities inspiring volunteers to springboard their future.
Saanvi’s story
Leeds Libraries run a free interactive STEM session introducing 7–11-year-olds to AI, robotics, and core programming, where Saanvi supports younger students as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
“Volunteering at Code Club has been one of the most meaningful, inspiring and rewarding parts of my DofE
journey, because it has allowed me to make a real difference while doing something creative and enjoyable. What also makes this experience even more special to me is that I used to attend Code Club myself when I was around 11 years old. I still remember how exciting it felt to learn how to code for the first time, create projects, and slowly build my confidence through each session. Code Club helped me develop so many skills when I was younger, so being able to return as a volunteer now feels like a full-circle moment.”
Elizabeth, Bertram and Saanvi’s story’s showcase the many motivators for making a real difference in their area, and Volunteer Team Leeds value their time and dedication.
Whether you have a window each week, or want behind the scenes access to once-in-a-lifetime events, join Volunteer Team Leeds for the chance to find out where an hour could take you.