How voluntary work can be good for the soul

I have always worked in event sales, feeling the pressure weekly and working towards monthly targets. Combined with personal responsibilities and commitments, I haven't ever found the time to volunteer.

A few years ago, I worked with Franni Benali at Southampton Football Club, and when I was launching Heard About Sam last year, I came across his Iron Man challenge for Cancer Research (May 2019). I didn't know how I would find the extra time in between launching a new business and running a family home with two small children under four; however, I felt compelled to reach out and help as he was pushing himself to raise one million for such a worthy cause.

I made contact, and after having a long conversation with his sponsorship and events manager Nicole Vickery, we quickly came up with a plan. She welcomed me into her team of sponsorship and event volunteers.

For me, it felt good utilising my contacts and reaching out to people for a charity. I also followed his journey on social media and felt honoured to work with such a dedicated and selfless person.

Franni successfully reached his target for Cancer Research - Woo hoo!  He kindly hosted a dinner to thank all of the volunteers' for the support, and it was an honour to attend. The gesture went a long way, and since then it's got me thinking.

Going into 2020, I am looking at my business plan, working out the hours I can give to all areas of my life and I'm eager to give more back to causes and the community I live in.

Recently I started a new role at Shaping Portsmouth. They work on a number of programs across Portsmouth to ensure we make Portsmouth the best city in the UK to invest, learn, live, work and visit. Our mission is to develop & contribute significant and permanent change whereby business, education & the community work together through collaboration and partnership by creating and managing a set of events and programmes that delivers on this vision.

Through these programs, I have learnt more about topics such as how we need to look after our care leavers and give them further opportunities in life which they deserve. I also plan to put myself forward to help, offering any available time that I can to support areas which touch my heart.

Everyone has different causes that they find important, and everyone can make a difference in their direct community or further afield.  I like to think that there is more to Heard About Sam than supporting sales growth or delivering another event. Charitable work for me feels good for the soul and, I'd like to think that my experience and compassion learnt with age can be put to good use!

If you have a charitable cause that you feel Heard About Sam could support, please get in touch sam@heardaboutsam.co.uk