Bridges Project opens new Volunteer Hub

Bridges Project has rewarded its young volunteers by giving them their very own designated space.

The charity has converted a room which was previously part of the GetConnected IT & Education Suite into a relaxing space which provides a base for Bridges Project’s young volunteers, all local young people aged 13-25. The space has been decorated by the young volunteers themselves and has chairs and tables for meetings but also has items such as games and podcast equipment, providing the young volunteers with opportunities to relax in-between meetings and support sessions.

 “The idea for the Volunteer Hub came about as we have so many dedicated young volunteers who go above and beyond in their roles and we wanted to reward their commitment with creating a space within the building just for them as they are part of the wonderful team at Bridges Project,” explained Bridges Project’s CEO Emma Scarcliffe.

 She continued:

 “We have fully embraced our youth-led programmes, with our young volunteers providing invaluable support to other young people as well as being heavily involved in numerous projects that strengthen who we are and how we do it. The least we could do was create a hub that they felt proud of.”

‘A space to feel safe and have a sense of belonging’

Listening Peers Coordinator Neil Maclean manages the group of young volunteers called the Listening Peers Mentors, who provide peer mentoring support to other young people. Together with Young Ambassadors Coordinator Grant Hamilton, he has been instrumental in setting up the Volunteer Hub. Neil sees the impact of the new space on a daily basis and speaks highly of it.

“It’s great to have a space for young people to feel safe and have a sense of belonging. Considering how many young volunteers we have, it’s important to have a designated place for them to go. It contributes to their wellbeing. It’s not just a workspace but also a place where they can meet and provide peer support to each other,” he said.

Neil also believes the Volunteer Hub has given the young volunteers a sense of ownership and respect.

“It shows that we recognise what they give,” he added.

This sentiment is echoed by the young volunteers themselves.

“It shows that we are respected and cared about by Bridges Project,” said Listening Peers Mentor Baillie Watson, 16. She is also part of the young volunteers group the Young Ambassadors, who contribute to Bridges Project’s strategic planning and local policy consultations and lead youth-led campaigns.

Baillie volunteers with Bridges Project one day a week and says she spends ‘all her volunteering time’ in the Volunteer Hub.

“It’s great having a place for us all to be and somewhere we can go and call our own. It’s a space for us to have Mentor meetings and I also bring my mentees in her for my meetings with them,” she said.

Her fellow Young Ambassador and Listening Peers Mentor Amber Norris, 17, also complements the vibe of the Volunteer Hub.

“It’s a chilled and more relaxed environment,” Amber said.

 ‘Has made such a difference’

The Volunteer Hub has been in operation for a few months and Bridges Project’s CEO has observed that it has already made a ‘such a difference’ to both the young volunteers and to Bridges Project as an organisation.

 Emma said:

“I hope that in the coming years, we continue to work with even more young volunteers who will have the benefit of accessing the Volunteer Hub and, in turn, enable Bridges Project to continue to be young person-led, with young people’s views and opinions being at the heart of all service delivery.”