Volunteering for Forth Valley Sensory Centre

​Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC) is a charity that supports deaf, hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted people of all ages across Forth Valley. They deliver over 30 groups, classes and activities and have a Sensory Garden, Kitchen Garden, Sensory Room and public Café.  Amna, Max and Chrislyn are 3 pupils who volunteer at the centre to gain work experience in their local community and develop skills for life after school. FVSC wish to continue to highlight the work of the centre to young people and their families in the area.

"It’s surprising how many people you meet. Other young people should volunteer as it is a great experience to meet new people from different backgrounds and is a great opportunity to put on a personal statement"

Amna

Amna attends Braes High School, volunteers for 1 hour per week and is a Garden Volunteer, helping to keep the gardens tidy and using her creativity skills to add colour by decorating plant pots and bird feeders. Amna also supports other groups/events. Amna wanted to volunteer at the centre because it was a great opportunity to work with blind and deaf people to improve her communication skills and confidence. Helping at the Knit and Natter group where she was able to speak to deaf and blind elderly ladies and get to know their experiences was her greatest achievement.

"I don’t find volunteering a chore in fact I look forward to it. I have developed my resilience and social skills and I have gained more knowledge. Pupils should volunteer so they can have experience in a workplace"
 
Chrislyn

Chrislyn attends St Mungo’s High School and volunteers once a week after school for 1 hour. She was volunteering as part of achieving her Duke of Edinburgh, however loved the environment at the centre so much that she chose to stay past the 6-month requirement. Chrislyn’s proudest moment was when a co-worker hosted an event in collaboration with a school and she noticed the posters that she had made all over the walls of the centre. It made her very proud to be able to say she contributed to that event and towards helping such a big cause like climate change. Chrislyn also enjoyed the work she was involved in for the children who attend the centre, creating posters she made for their garden (children hunt the different animal and dinosaur ornaments in the garden and are rewarded if they can name them all).
​

"It is a great opportunity to develop skills that are desirable in the workplace and challenges people to make a commitment for altruistic reasons. I have gained social versatility and have learned to persevere, as it was difficult completing the outdoor tasks (especially during winter)"

Max

Max attends Braes High School, volunteers for 1 hour per week and as well as supporting classes that are delivered, he carries out general maintenance of the centre including the garden area. Max is proud of the yarn art rings he helped the blind and partially sighted art group make and add as artwork to the walls.  
​ 
Max   enjoys meeting new people and building connections with both the staff and people who attend the sensory centre. He was surprised at how homely, calm and warm the centre is and how much he has enjoyed volunteering in this type of space.​

Explaining why FVSC offers volunteering opportunities for young people Hannah Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator at the centre told us: 

"We love the vibrancy and dynamic energy that our younger volunteers bring to the Centre! As the Centre is for individuals of any age, it's great to have such an inter-generational mix of knowledge and skills. It really is an invaluable experience for both our volunteers and Centre users"

Hannah Wilson - Volunteer Coordinator, FVSC

It's inspiring to see Amna, Chrislyn  and  Max gaining valuable work experience whilst helping others. What a fantastic example of why young people are great!  Can you think of any positive stories of young people within your business or organisation? If so, share  as part of our #YPAG23 campaign on 6th June 2023. Click here for  campaign details.