Volunteers’ Week runs from during the first week of June each year celebrating the role of those who give their time to support causes across the country. As everyone involved celebrates 40 years of Volunteers' Week, Ian Beattie MBE (our Chief Operating Officer) explains why he believes volunteering can help firms play active roles in their communities.
People at Lindsays who want to help community organisations, charitable organisations, sports clubs, social enterprises and other groups - often using their professional skills to do so, are supported. We currently have people on boards of about 50 organisations, ranging from school and youth groups, to a hospice and major charity events. Others volunteer as coaches and in other roles.
Ian, who is Chair of UK Athletics, has himself been a volunteer for 25 years - most notably in athletics, where he is director of the West Highland Way Race and a qualified coach and official, but is also a former vice-chair of mental health charity SAMH.
He said: “The value of volunteering to Scottish business life - as well as community life - is massively underestimated, in my opinion. Business and civic life would both be stronger if more companies support staff to volunteer.
“I have always got a real buzz from it. In sport, that satisfaction can be from seeing someone develop, or in seeing a club grow. There is similar satisfaction to be had in knowing that you’ve helped an organisation to ensure it can be there for the people who need them, whether in health, care or community projects.
“Professionally, volunteering broadens your view of the world, opening your eyes to issues, opportunities and challenges. You meet people you might otherwise not, perhaps building your professional network as you do.
“Having all of that filtering back into your work life is no bad thing. I have no doubt that volunteering makes you happier. And that makes you better at work and plays a part in making our economy stronger.”
Our Third Sector Group advises a range of charities on the full range of legal issues affecting Scotland’s third sector and many of our lawyers use their professional skills - whether in governance, managing legacies and property issues - to sit on boards as trustees.
Charities and Third Sector Partner, Helen Kidd, is on of them, having previous experience on a variety of charity boards.
Helen said: “It can often be a misconception that trustees need to have a certain level of life experience before they should consider joining a board – but that is not always the case. Leaving a lasting legacy and planning for succession cannot happen if we keep recruiting boards in mirror images of the status quo. People of all ages, stages and walks of life can make flexible commitments to these organisations in a variety of different ways – and previous experience is not always a prerequisite. We all have to start somewhere – I know I did!
"Becoming a charity trustee allows you to develop skills whilst making new and lasting connections. As increasing numbers of businesses place greater focus on their corporate social responsibility, all of this may even add up to positive career development too.”
Published 6 June 2024. The original version of this article was published on 7 June 2023.
