Volunteering really can change lives, and win kudos for the volunteer along the way, as Jamie Clark’s story as volunteer for the Rose Hill Regeneration Project shows.
Jamie moved to Oxford in late 2011 with a degree in journalism and experience in administration and the media.
After six months of unsuccessful job applications, his confidence and self-esteem were low and he started to believe that he wouldn’t find work in Oxford.
In the summer of 2012, he received a copy of the community newspaper Rose Hill News. This sparked an idea and he sent an email to the editor and asked if there was space for a volunteer journalist. It was from that date onwards that his life in Oxford turned on its head.
Jamie started by writing the odd article for the newspaper and attending courses and events.
He says: “Through my work I met some fantastic people and became a part of the community. The spirit in Rose Hill is like nothing else — it was and is an absolute pleasure to be involved in the project.”
After becoming the volunteer editor of Rose Hill News in December 2012, Jamie volunteered more time to more community events, youth work at the Rose Hill Junior Youth Club and administration for the regeneration project.
In fact, the project were so pleased with Jamie’s work that they nominated him for a Volunteer Award which he received at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards 2013, saying that is was due to Jamie’s energy, commitment and expertise that the Rose Hill newspaper and social media for project had thrived.
In September 2013, the previous volunteer co-ordinator at the project left, and Jamie decided to apply for the position, and was successful.
He said: “My transition into paid work has been incredibly rewarding. I feel as if I have learned and experienced so much by volunteering and can genuinely say that it changed my life. Volunteers are the life of the community and what the project has done for Rose Hill has been phenomenal.
“Personally, my transition started with that one email and I would encourage anybody thinking about volunteering to give it a go. You never know what can happen.”
To nominate a volunteer or a charity for an award at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards 2015, go to ocva.org.uk/awards2015
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