S just joy of giving

Volunteer’s example of working for community

But for Kirstie Duncan, it’s something of a career – one she juggles with her own job.

The 45-year-old has been volunteering since she left school, remarkably managing to help out with three projects on top of being a support worker for adults with learning disabilities.

The contribution of volunteers has been recognised over the past seven days through Volunteers’ Week – which has celebrated the people who give up their time to help causes free of charge.

“It’s just something I’ve always enjoyed doing,” said Kirstie.

“You get to know lots of people you wouldn’t normally meet and maybe do something you wouldn’t normally do.”

Kirstie is chairwoman of Menzieshill Community Centre’s local management group. On top of that, she heads up the out-of-school care club in Menzieshill, and helps out with Stand Easy, a drama group for veterans who have posttraumatic stress syndrome.

“I moved to Menzieshill 15 years ago,” said Kirstie.

“I had a young daughter then and used the community centre quite regularly and that’s how I ended up getting involved.

“My friend was on the board and we wanted to make sure it would be there for our children.

“I chair the meetings once a month, and any other meetings outwith those.

“The group basically looks at how the community centre should affect the local area, so it involves lots of different things. As a group we all join in and put on events all year round.” She continued: “The out-ofschool club is fantastic.

“It offers a breakfast club starting at 7.30am, so parents can drop their children off, then after that they are taken to school by the early years practitioners who run it.

“The children are then picked up from school and looked after until 6pm.

“It’s invaluable for working parents and the hours mean parents’ commuting can be flexible.

“Stand Easy is held in the community centre and we are now in the last week of the third project I’ve been involved in, since I started helping in 2016.

“It’s a brilliant group that helps veterans with PTSD.

“I come from a military background – my father served in the forces – so it was always something that was going to appeal to me.”

Kirstie says her love of volunteering is now starting to rub off on her children.

“My daughter has done some volunteering for the Hot Chocolate Trust,” she said.

“She’s really enjoyed it. I used to volunteer when I was at school, helping children with learning difficulties at Barnardo’s, so it’s always something I’ve enjoyed doing.

“The Barnardo’s stuff would have been when I was 17 or 18.

“I get a lot out of volunteering. There are lots of organisations out there crying out for volunteers, so anyone looking to use their spare time has lots of options.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “There are many volunteers in community and environmental groups across Dundee who fulfil a variety of roles that enhance the overall success of facilities, events and activities.”

More information on volunteering opportunities can be found at dundeecity.gov.uk Ourvoice

FOR some, volunteering means helping out at the odd event or doing something for charity once in a while.

PAGE 16