We have over 40 volunteers here at CLEAR and to be honest, we couldn’t run without them – people giving up their time and expertise to help with teaching, advice, reception duties, admin and social media.
Laura, our wonderful Volunteer Coordinator, caught up with Chris to ask him a few questions….
Laura “What inspired you to start volunteering with our charity, particularly with our weekly refugee drop-in at the Avenue Multicultural Centre (AMC)?”
Chris: I had previously volunteered for a refugee charity in Portsmouth, when I lived in that area. A member of the CLEAR advice team, who also runs a music group I had joined, first introduced me to CLEAR. When I was interviewed, the reception role at AMC fitted best with my working hours.
Laura: “Can you share a memorable moment or story from your time volunteering that had a big impact on you?”
Chris: Some years ago I produced an arrangement of an Iranian song for the AMC music group. One of the Iranians in the group went downstairs and came back up with an impromptu Iranian choir, who sang along with gusto whilst we played.
Laura: “How has your experience volunteering with the drop-in programme influenced your perspective on the refugee community we serve?”
Chris: Honestly, I do not think it has. Our cultural differences, whilst important to recognise and respect, are only a thin veneer on our common humanity.
Laura: “What keeps you motivated to continue volunteering with us, year after year?”
Chris: A mixture of seeing the positive impact of what we do, and my stubborn streak that hates to leave a job unfinished.
Laura: “Have you learned any valuable skills or life lessons through your volunteer work that you’d like to share?”
Chris: I am probably too close to judge. However, this experience has hopefully made me a little more tolerant of others and a little less antisocial. This is still a work in progress...
Laura: “As we move forward, what kind of positive changes do you hope to see for the refugees we help and for yourself as a dedicated volunteer in the coming years?”
Chris: It is difficult to foresee much in the way of positive change in the current highly polarised political environment. I feel ashamed of the way my country is treating fellow human beings who have been forced through the trauma of fleeing their countries. That said, seeing the work that CLEAR and similar organisation are doing, and the benefits this brings to all of us, helps keep hope alive for positive changes in the future..
Laura: “Thanks Chris – it’s great having you as part of the team here at CLEAR and we really appreciate all that you do and bring in your role…”