This year’s Volunteers’ Week comes at a time of social distancing, when many of us have struggled with uncertainty and loneliness. Our Ecas volunteer befrienders support isolated people with a physical disability, and their importance has never been clearer. So we’re thrilled to celebrate them virtually this week.
Submit a poem
For Volunteers Week 2020, Volunteer Scotland is asking us to creatively thank volunteers by submitting a poem inspired by a volunteer or our own volunteer experience. “Poetry is an excellent creative outlet to help yourself and others cope with challenging situations like the one we are in just now,” they say. “Words are important, especially just now when we require to stay connected while keeping a distance. Lockdown is a great opportunity for you to put pen to paper.”
Submit your poem through the form on the Volunteers’ Week Scot website or by emailing it to volunteersweek@volunteerscotland.org.uk.
Here’s our attempt at a haiku in honour of our fantastic Ecas volunteers:
Through time and kindness
they bring the outside world in
and ease loneliness.
Volunteer stories
You can read some of our volunteers’ stories here:
- Lisa’s story – Befriending in a time of coronavirus: “Phoning Jimmy is currently my only fixed routine. Once we got chatting again, we had periods of good laughter amongst the uncertainty.”
- David’s story – People inspiring people: “I had experience being socially isolated so I felt like I could help people become more socially active, and that would help me as a person as well.”
- Jennifer’s story – New directions: “She’s had an amazing life as a professional dance teacher and is a keen bowler. I know much more about these as a result of our friendship!”
Volunteer with us
Interested in becoming a volunteer befriender with Ecas? We’re accepting enquiries now in anticipation for greater need in the future. Contact us to find out more.