Volunteers playing ‘vital’ role across Scotland

A dedicated network of volunteers is helping to deliver important energy advice to minoritised ethnic communities across Scotland.

Changeworks, Scotland’s leading environmental charity, has over 35 years’ experience in delivering high impact solutions for low-carbon living, works with its communities across Scotland to drive transformation in energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty.

Its team of volunteers work alongside Project Officers to deliver energy advice to minoritised ethnic community groups. In total, the charity has 45 volunteers, with 27 currently working on the project funded by British Gas Energy Trust (the Trust).

All of the Trust funded volunteers are from minority ethnic backgrounds, helping the charity connect with communities that have historically been under-served by mainstream energy advice campaigns.

Their duties range from manning stalls at engagement events to delivering tailored energy advice sessions to the communities they know best.

Kathleen Vaughn, Volunteer Coordinator at Changeworks, said: “There’s a sliding scale of engagement, depending on the volunteer’s experience and confidence level.

“They often are able to help us translate forms into different languages and check that they make sense.

“They’ve also been absolutely fabulous with the administration of the project, too. We have a large amount of information that we have to capture from people and from an engagement event, we may have been talking to 30-40 people – so we have 30-40 forms that need to be entered into the system. We would be really struggling without them.

“Volunteers are pivotal in making advice accessible to minoritised ethnic groups. They may be part of a church or a particular group that would benefit from our advice. And then there’s a domino effect from there with the connections that people have to other groups.

“Whatever they do, they’re a vital part of the delivery of the project.”

Last year, the charity organised a special picnic at Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens during National Volunteer Week to celebrate and recognise the important work of all of their volunteers. In addition, three of the project’s volunteers received special recognition from Volunteer Edinburgh and one was invited to receive her award from the Lord Provost of Edinburgh at a ceremony held at the Edinburgh City Chambers.

Kathleen added: “If they’re generous enough to give their time to us, we need to make sure they feel valued. We celebrate with them during Volunteers Week, hold regular social events and cover all their expenses to make sure they’re never out of pocket.”

Many of the volunteers get involved with Changeworks as part of a plan to kickstart a career in the sector. The charity has Investors in Volunteers status and provides extensive training and support to anyone wishing to volunteer with them.

And there’s even a potential career progression plan within Changeworks, with eight recent volunteers going on to secure paid roles within the organisation.

Isa Kristiansen-Bragg, Changework’s Low Carbon Communities Team Manager, said: “A number of our volunteers are looking to get experience stepping into the net zero world of work, learn from the Project Officers, and move their careers forward. They also act as a community anchor – a trusted voice – so we’re not approaching groups cold. They have played a big part in the success of our Trust funded project and we’re very grateful for the support they are giving to communities.”

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