All this week, we’re celebrating #VolunteersWeek
This year has highlighted the vital role volunteers play across the UK and their impact now, and for the future.
We’re a volunteer branch of the CIPD covering the Manchester area, delivering learning and networking opportunities to people professionals and students. Most of us work within the people profession, in some capacity or another, while others currently study a CIPD qualification with a view to launching their career or to transition into the people profession.
We all share a common desire: to achieve our branch vision.
This week, we’ve recognised our volunteers for their contributions by issuing them all with a certificate of recognition, we’ve highlighted different ways CIPD volunteers can help support and prepare young people for their first role and helping those re-entering the workforce after a period of absence. We’ve shone a spotlight on the skilled volunteering possibilities available through the CIPD’s numerous member volunteering and mentoring schemes.
Today marks the end of the working week for many home or office-based people professionals. So as this working week draws to a close, we wanted our volunteers to have a chance to share a few words about what they do through our branch and how volunteering has benefited them both personally and professionally.
Have a read through the CIPD’s Volunteering Handbook to give you an idea of the opportunities available to you and feel free to get in touch with the CIPD for more information.
You might like an opportunity to give back to your local community, by speaking to your local school about the career opportunities in HR, perhaps sharing your story and open pupils eyes to a career they may have never even considered before. That’s what Rebecca Westaway did. She returned to her school through Inspiring the Future to talk to students at a careers fair and Paul Hamlin has been helping young people through their career pathways via Enactus UK, and as an Enterprise Advisor for a local high school, while continuing to support students at one of the region’s universities, mentoring them as part of their HRM studies.
Why not get involved in your local branch
There are local branches across the UK – including branches in Gibraltar and the Channel Islands. The 52 branches provide essential networking and learning opportunities to CIPD members.
As a branch volunteer, you’ll develop new skills, form valuable links in your region, promote good practice and raise your professional profile whilst growing your own network.
Many branch volunteers say they develop new technical skills, learn more about the profession and related knowledge areas, and meet like-minded professionals to share knowledge and experience, promoting their professional development and confidence in the workplace.
Branch volunteers also experience a great sense of contribution by championing the profession, supporting the world of work and our members and our Volunteer Voices reinforce this.
Final thanks
We felt the best way to mark the end of this year’s Volunteers’ Week would be a collection of photos and quotes spanning the past 12-months.
CIPD Manchester Branch 