Volunteering - a message from a parent

When my 'children' first started at Kimberley Swimming Club, aged 3 and 5yrs I never really thought about volunteering and didn't think that with work and other commitments I'd have the time or ability, to volunteer for any roles the club needed help with. It wasn't long though before I was enticed into lending a hand with different roles, most of which were behind the scenes.
Since over the years, I like many others, have been involved in different roles, at club level, on and off poolside, that have mostly meant learning new skills in order to meet the new challenges. These experiences have also led to me helping out stewarding at Counties and Midlands.
Over the years I haven't committed to as many volunteer hours as a lot of others, but the experience I gained from the roles gave me the confidence to apply to be one of the volunteer Games Makers. As a result I was lucky enough to be offered a place working in the Athletes Village, at the Paralympics. So during the summer off I went on another new challenge, thinking what am I doing but once I got there and started my role it was a totally enjoyable experience.
Having had the experiences I've had over the years, I would say to parents, volunteer for some different roles at the club, or galas, give them a try, even if you can only spare a few hours every week or every now and again or it all seems very daunting. Volunteering helps the club, your own children and other members and certainly makes the time go quicker, as you can spend a fair amount of time by one poolside or another over the years, just watching swimming.
So speak to Alan, any of the coaches or the staff on the desk, as you never know what you can do or where it may lead ......
Who knows it could lead to volunteering at other events .....'British Swimming Championships,' 'Common Wealth Games' or even 'Rio'.....

Angie Barsby

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