Our director, Craig, talks about his journey in volunteering. Zen is pleased to support him in his work.

Having been a chartered accountant for many years, I’m always getting asked to act as treasurer, adviser, etc, for charities and groups.

I’ve always wanted to put back into my community and have been a treasurer and trustee for many charities over the years.

A long while ago, I reached a bit of burnout on this type of work. Spending all day on things financial and then spending evenings in committee meetings…I’d had enough.

I still had a deep compulsion to want to contribute my time to helping others, and thought about what other skills I had that could be beneficial to my community.

Those of you who know me are aware of my love of adrenaline and extreme sports.

So….I briefly joined the local lifeboat, but after a medical, my eyesight without contact lenses meant I wasn’t able to be part of the crew, so I ended up joining the local Mountain Rescue Team.

Well, this was the thin end of the wedge!!

After a few years in the team, I realised that I had a natural interest in the medical side of rescue work, and became a casualty carer.

I then started volunteering as a community first responder for the ambulance service, followed by joining HM Coastguard as a coastguard rescue officer.

My very supportive and bemused family were getting used to me being called out in three different coloured uniforms, red, blue and green 24-7!
I must also thank my work colleagues and my clients for their support in putting up with an occasional rescheduled or cut-short meeting.

So I’m over 15 years in now with my emergency services volunteering. Why do we do it?

Service or giving with no expectation of reward is incredibly satisfying. It is truly a means to long-lasting happiness. To make a difference and help in your community.

In these modern times of stress, anxiety and depression, volunteering has been shown to help.

When I feel I’m having a bad day, and I get a callout to a person who is REALLY having a bad day, it puts my day into perspective and makes me count my blessings.

I would encourage everyone to think about what you might be able to do without an obvious reward for someone else. It doesn’t have to be a regular commitment, maybe just a random act of kindness.

See how this makes you feel… it may be the start of something big for you.

To give is to receive…..