Chancellor: Celebrating the joy of volunteering

Last week, as Chancellor of the University of Reading, I was privileged to be invited to the University’s first Celebration of Volunteering and Volunteering Awards. The evening recognised celebrated and shared inspiration from students, staff, alumni and members of our local Reading community who support the University and wider community by volunteering their time, energy, experience and skills.

Each helps support our communities and environment: whether that be at a local, national or global level.  During the evening we were also honoured to hear reflections from recent Honorary Graduate, and founder of Nasio Trust, lifelong volunteer Nancy Mudenyo Hunt.

Volunteering is a core part of a civilized society, when being involved and part of something bigger is valued and aspired to.  It’s been a cultural rock of this country for centuries, from volunteer hospitals and schools in the middle ages, through to David Cameron’s idea of the inclusiveness of a Big Society and the creation of the National Citizens Service. Whether it’s supporting children in local schools, working with international aid charities or mentoring our current students, every volunteer makes a meaningful difference and the University is proud that its volunteers so tangibly demonstrate a commitment to one of our core values: that of community. 

Last year over 25 million adults in England volunteered their time. That’s more than half, 55% of the adult population, 15 million of whom volunteered time every month. That is a tremendous validation of the society in which we live, in that most of us spend precious time voluntarily helping others or our planet. The University of Reading volunteers are at the vanguard of these statistics and that validation.

But these national figures are about 20% down on those a decade ago. Perhaps it therefore becomes an opportunity for those communities and institutions that can highlight the benefits of volunteering, including those like ours that recognise and celebrate our volunteers achievements, to help to begin to reverse the trend and encourage more.

There are multiple benefits of volunteering across broad society and to individuals.

Volunteering from a society perspective helps us learn, thrive and be a community - by sharing time and expertise so that we can influence one another’s experiences for the better.

But it is on an individual level where the personal reward each of us who undertake volunteering receives. That is immeasurable.  Some of the greatest joys in life are in giving what you can. I could see, that in that room last week, many people brimming with joy.   

In trying to persuade others to consider volunteering, I always share that personal joy and rewards come in three areas:  

• In the autonomy volunteering gives us – nobody tells us to volunteer – we choose – and that freedom is empowering! 
• In the mastery it provides as we acquire new skills, gain new confidence, meet and learn from new people; and 
• In a connectedness, that binds communities together and helps us feel a belonging.

In short, volunteering helps each of us find our purpose, to learn and grow as people, while ensuring we can do good and make a difference to others and our planet. 

As more people undertake volunteering, our society becomes more vibrant, our communities become more connected, our culture becomes more compassionate, and our combined lived experiences become more enriched with learning, awareness and understanding.

Congratulations to the University of Reading Celebration of Volunteering Award winners:

• Zahra, Lewis, Ankita, Aniska, Owen and Salwa at The Marrow Society
• Sophie, Tin Wai, Aryn and Thea at The University of Monsters
• Rizzy from Raising and Giving
• Jack from Berkshire Scouts and Living Paintings
• Hilary from Reading Amnesty and ABC Nepal
• Clive and Sheila the wonderful campus litter pick volunteers
• Nathan from Community Choir
• Gurinder from COVID-19 community support
• Ramandeep from Green Volunteers, ITALIC and the Hedgehog Society; and
• Juliane of Wycliffe Baptist Church and Once a Month Reading.

To each of you, very many congratulations. And to everyone who gives time as a volunteer, thank you for everything you do, and keep spreading your joy.

Paul Lindley

Chancellor, University of Reading