It’s Volunteers’ Week! Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June every year and is a chance to celebrate and say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
I asked some of my colleagues here at Studio 24 about the volunteering they do.
Simon Jones, Managing Director, is a trustee for the Cambridge Film Trust. The Film Trust organises the annual Cambridge Film Festival – one of the highlights of the Cambridge Cultural Calendar.
I’ve been a trustee for the Film Trust for nearly a decade. I love being part of a creative team that curates the Film Festival and brings the very best in independent international cinema to Cambridge. And occasionally I get to meet heroes of mine – including Terry Gilliam last year.
Ben Challoner, Data and Content Strategist, also volunteers for the Cambridge Film Festival as a reviewer of film submissions.
Emma Lane, Client Services Director, and Julie Moir, Office Manager, volunteer for the Elizabeth Coteman Fund. Emma is a Trustee and Julie is the Treasurer. The mission of the Elizabeth Coteman Fund is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.
The Fund was established by my family, and everything we do is voluntary and is driven by our loss and our deep desire to improve the experience of Pancreatic Cancer sufferers and their families. Our family has been through this terrible experience and seen at first hand, just how devastating and cruel this disease can be. We are driven, as a family to help those sadly affected in whatever way we can.
Kate Jones, Client Services Executive, is the Event Manger for the Cherry Hinton Festival. The Festival is an annual, week long community celebration attracting 5000 visitors.
The Cherry Hinton Festival is such a wonderful event to be involved with. I work with 10 other committed volunteers. When we see Festival week in full swing we have such a feeling of pride that we have bought happiness to so many people in our community.
Ian Axton, Creative Director, is a historical re-enactor and camps with his family at Kentwell Hall during their Tudor experience days. Ian talks to school groups and other visitors about life in Tudor times.
I really enjoy this volunteering as we get away from technology. We spend lots of time outside and cook on an open fire. And we’ve learnt about Tudor crafts – including working with wood and clay – which we demonstrate to visitors. It’s gives us all a sense of freedom and the children have a brilliant time.
Carlos Eriksson, Accessibility Lead Developer, is a volunteer mentor helping more women to join the tech industry.
My work at the Studio is concerned with accessibility and to be able to volunteer my skills and passion for inclusion to help people into the tech industry is very rewarding.
Volunteers’ Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how the Studio 24 team volunteer their time and skills in so many different ways – for education, community cohesion, health and culture.
