Become a willing volunteer
Amy tells how seizing an opportunity during university hols has led to a fulfilling career IT’S Volunteers’ Week, so we found out how offering to help out in your spare time could lead to gaining experience, learning new skills and even landing a paid job.
Amy Drysdale decided to volunteer with the National Trust for Scotland when she was a student at university. The 32-year-old, from Dunfermline, now works as their people relations, policy and engagement officer.
Here, she tells us about her background as a trust volunteer – and how it could be the right move for others, too.
How did you first hear about the National Trust for Scotland and its volunteering opportunities?
As a child, I was a member of the National Trust for Scotland. My family and I used to visit their properties on days out so, from an early age, it’s helped to forge my interest in our wonderful history.
Years later, when I was studying for my degree at the University of Edinburgh, I was looking for a worthwhile way to spend my summer holidays but hadn’t had much success in finding a job.
While browsing the internet, I came across the opportunity to volunteer with the trust at Culross Palace, in Fife, and I immediately knew that it was meant for me.
Why did you want to get involved with volunteering with the trust?
My background as a member had a huge influence. It was also my passion for what the trust stands for – preserving the history of some of Scotland’s most iconic treasures.
A lot of people don’t realise how diverse and unique the trust’s portfolio is. From archaeological sites, buildings, gardens and collections to countryside, wildlife and Munros, we cover the full spectrum of what we all love about Scotland.
That’s the reason why I wanted to get involved – for the love of Scotland.
What did the volunteer work involve?
The opportunities at the trust are truly limitless. It’s an incredibly diverse and unique experience.
I’ve helped behind the scenes with collections and archives, and engaged with our visitors to tell the stories of our properties. I’ve even had the pleasure of looking after Culross Palace’s resident chickens.
Even though I’m now employed with the trust, I still volunteer at The Georgian House in Edinburgh as a living history performer.
I love being able to interact with the people visiting the properties, especially while dressed in a Jane Austen-style dress!
What skills and experience did you gain?
Adaptability – every day is completely different. One minute I would be giving a guided tour to a group and the next I’d be teaching historic dance lessons.
You never know what the day will bring and it’s that spontaneity that makes volunteering with the trust as fun and rewarding as it is, while offering such a variety of skills to those who are willing to give up their time.
What is your employment background?
I volunteered with the trust while I studied at university, so it’s the only career I’ve ever really had.
Although I went on to work as a curator elsewhere, I kept volunteering with the trust in my spare time. I enjoyed the time I spent in our properties too much to leave the charity that I’d essentially grown up with.
I was fortunate that my volunteering roles opened the door to employment in our properties, and then later in our central office.
If it wasn’t for the trust, I don’t know what I’d be doing right now. I’m lucky because I’ve found something that I truly love but there are so many young people out there who are struggling to find the right career path for them. That is why I’d recommend volunteering.
So volunteering helped you find a job?
I’ve never really left the trust. As well as volunteering, I’ve also been employed on a seasonal basis in our properties and, as a result of my volunteering experience, I now work in the trust’s people department supporting our volunteers and employees.
I get to engage with our people right across Scotland, find new ways to thank them for their work, and develop partnerships with other organisations in the Scottish heritage sector.
As someone who started out as a volunteer, and still volunteers in their spare time, I have unique insight into the whole process and I hope that allows me to offer our volunteers a special kind of support.
Volunteering for the trust has completely changed my career path – and life – and I hope that others can benefit in the same way I have.
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering through the trust?
Do it! Volunteering with us can offer opportunities and open doors that you’d never expect, and it can completely broaden your horizons.
Our people come from a wide variety of backgrounds, bringing a diverse range of skills and talents. So, whether you’re passionate about your local garden or fascinated by Scotland’s history, we have a range of roles in different locations with time commitments to suit you.
To find out more about the National Trust for Scotland, visit www.nts.org.uk. For more information about volunteering, contact volunteers@nts.org.uk