Everyone has their own story, and our Why I Volunteer in Aberdeen film series has been a fantastic way of sharing those stories with a wider audience while celebrating the wonderful contribution volunteers make to our communities every day.
Over the past year we’ve had the privilege of featuring volunteers from organisations including Instant Neighbour, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Future Choices, the Denis Law Legacy Trust, and many more. This month we’re delighted to feature GREC, continuing the series by shining a light on another organisation where volunteers are making a huge difference.
One thing that always stands out to me is just how varied volunteering is in Aberdeen. Every organisation is different, every role is unique and every volunteer has their own reason for getting involved. Some want to give something back to their community, others are looking to meet new people, build confidence, learn new skills or support a cause that’s important to them. Whatever their motivation, they all have one thing in common – they’re helping to make Aberdeen a better place.
These films also remind us that volunteers are at the heart of so much that happens across our city. From supporting people through difficult times to creating opportunities for others, protecting our environment, encouraging participation in sport, celebrating arts and culture, or helping communities come together, volunteering takes many forms.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about this series – it gives volunteers the opportunity to tell their own stories, in their own words, and I hope those stories encourage others to take that first step into volunteering themselves.
I was particularly delighted by the response to last month’s film featuring our young volunteers.
It was wonderful to see so many people taking the time to congratulate them on social media and celebrate everything they have achieved. Young volunteers bring enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a real passion for making a difference, and it’s fantastic to see their commitment recognised so warmly by the wider community.
As we look ahead, I’m excited that we’ll soon be welcoming a new Communications Officer (Content & Campaigns) to the ACVO team. They’ll help us continue telling these stories, celebrating the incredible volunteers and organisations that make Aberdeen such a vibrant and compassionate city. There are so many more voices to hear, and I’m looking forward to seeing the series continue to grow.
This article originally appeared in the August 2026 edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine for and from Aberdeen’s third sector. Read and subscribe for free at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news
