Culture Perth and Kinross is delighted to announce that they have achieved the Volunteer Friendly Award in recognition of their work to support, develop and value their many volunteers.

The Volunteer Friendly Award was developed and is delivered by the Dundee Volunteer Centre. It recognises organisations who provide effective training, development and ongoing support and recognition for their volunteers.

Culture Perth and Kinross has a strong track record of working with local volunteers and recognises that without their hard work and dedication the reach and impact of their work would be reduced. The roles undertaken by the volunteers vary and have expanded greatly over recent years to now include work supporting research and cataloguing of collections, storytelling with children and supporting individuals develop their IT skills amongst many other things.

At Perth Museum & Art Gallery, volunteer Amy plays an important role in supporting the Learning Team. She states, “I studied archaeology at university 20 years ago to embark on a career in journalism. However, the love of collections never left me. Now, as a mum to three primary-school-age children and a freelance proofreader and editor who works from home, I found myself missing working with actual people! When I discovered that the museum was welcoming volunteers, it was perfect. I could do something I truly loved – helping people to connect with the fascinating objects of the collection – while also dipping my toes back into a real-life workplace. The staff have been universally welcoming, and I can fit my volunteering around my paid work and my children. I never quite know what to expect when I descend the steps to the basement!”

Jim volunteers with the Perth and Kinross Archive, listing records of the Perth Railway Amateur Boxing Club. He’s also helped the department with fundraising for new archive display cases and exploring the archive records, as well as gathering information as part of the learning programme. “Over the years I have found that volunteering on projects in the Archives has advanced my knowledge and stimulated my interest in public records and historical documents pertaining to Perth and Kinross. It has been a pleasure to be monitored and advised by the Archives staff.”

Lesley help set up the Playlist for Life Help Point at the AK Bell Library to help families and friends of people with dementia create a playlist of musical memories. The playlist can help transform the lives of both the person living with dementia and their carers by evoking memories, prompting conversation and strengthening relationships; improving mood and awareness; grounding people and restoring their ‘sense of self’ if confused.

At the Help Point, the volunteers can answer any questions that carers might have about setting up a playlist of music and give them assistance on how to select and download music to a device such as an MP3 Player or an iPad.

A carer who has used music in this way said “when those special songs came on, the ones that meant the most to him, I saw the sparkle come back into his eyes. I saw the recognition, and that gave me hope.”

Lesley added: “I chose to volunteer as I felt that this was a wonderful way to help families with loved ones who have dementia and had the experience of friends who have used it and found it a huge help.  It helps them reconnect with their loved ones, bringing back shared memories and helps calm things down when the person being cared for gets agitated. 

I enjoy volunteering as I feel that I am doing some good – helping others by using my skills to make life better for them.  It is a good feeling that what you are doing is worthwhile and makes a difference rather than just doing personally satisfying things – which are also important.”

Charles Kinnoull, Chair of Culture Perth and Kinross added:

“We value each and every one of our exceptional team of volunteers who so generously and freely give their time and skills to help us to achieve our aims. As a charity, we are very fortunate to have so many willing volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life working with Culture Perth and Kinross and giving us so much practical support. Volunteers are the lifeblood of many of our projects and their efforts make such a big impact across the service. They really are our unsung heroes, and on behalf of the whole of Culture Perth and Kinross, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of them for the work that they do. Achieving the Volunteer Friendly Award will help signal to our current volunteers and those who are considering volunteering in the future that we are an organisation that takes their role seriously and has in place the mechanisms and processes to effectively and positively support them”

Jordan Irvine, Volunteer Co-ordinator for Culture Perth and Kinross explained:

“We are humbled that this year 229 local people choose to volunteer with our organisation.  I would encourage anyone who would like to get involved in our services through volunteering, or who perhaps just want to find out a bit more about what it all entails to get in touch.”

For further information on volunteering with Culture Perth and Kinross please visit the website https://www.culturepk.org.uk/volunteer/ or contact Jordan Irvine on 01738 444949.