Voices of Impact: Frontline Volunteering in Action

Written by Maria Tonchievici, Deputy Head of Programme – Education & Mentoring Works

At BIG Alliance, we pride ourselves on our Team Challenge, Business Skills and Education volunteering opportunities. More recently, we’ve started to introduce a new offering – Frontline volunteering. This topical opportunity for our business volunteers brings them together with the beneficiaries of our community partner organisations. Volunteers have spent time with refugees, migrants, groups of residents battling loneliness and more.

Our community partners do an amazing job in supporting Islington’s local residents through coffee mornings, food hubs, arts classes, wellbeing activities, gardening clubs, and much more. As a result of such a vast offering that they bring to the borough, there’s a huge need for Frontline volunteers to support the organisations in running these activities. To date, we have had wonderful engagement from MUFG volunteers, and we have partnered with Hillside Clubhouse, Union Chapel and Claremont Project in supporting their beneficiaries but we’re always keen to partner with more community and corporate organisations on these initiatives .

Volunteers interested in tackling digital exclusion have been supporting Hillside Clubhouse’s members through our Digital Buddies programme. Once a week, they visit the Clubhouse and train their members on looking for jobs online, utilising jobs boards, online applications, and others.

“The session was about individuals who are trying to uplift themselves, rebuild their lives and rediscover a sense of purpose after recovering from mental health ailments. The fact that I was able to contribute, even in a very small way, in imparting some basic practical and professional skills, was a very positive experience for me.”

– said one of the volunteers about their experience of the workshop.

Those looking to help Islington’s asylum seekers have had the opportunity to take part in one of Union Chapel’s Conversational English workshops – a chance for the asylum seekers to spend the afternoon socialising with people from different backgrounds while practising their English. Our volunteers have gone on a walking tour around King’s Cross area, they’ve played board games, and got to chat about their professional experiences over a number of afternoons.

“The asylum seekers have truly enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the volunteers from the BIG Alliance, working men and women who are well established in London. They enjoy the opportunity to practise their English or to ask questions and share experiences.”

– reported Sara Bigatti, ESOL and Volunteer Coordinator at Union Chapel.

Finally, volunteers looking to bond with their teammates while combating loneliness, have run Social Hubs, hosting beneficiaries of the previously mentioned community partner organisations at their corporate offices. Islington has some of the highest levels of poverty and lowest levels of green spaces across all local authorities in England, which results in residents suffering from mental illness and social isolation. Social Hubs is a great opportunity for local residents to have a change of scenery and enjoy a game of bingo or trivia quiz with some new people outside of their social circles.

One of Claremont Project’s service users reflected on their experience:

“Thanks to the impeccable hospitality of MUFG staff, the afternoon was delightful. Conversation and refreshments flowed with a friendly atmosphere; we had fun with a quiz and I enjoyed meeting young people from other European countries. Many thanks to MUFG for its initiative in this.”

If you’re a volunteer interested in participating in one of our Frontline opportunities, please get in touch at marija.mikne@thebigalliance.org.uk.

To stay up to date with the latest news, opportunities and success stories, please sign up to receive our monthly newsletter, here.