Volunteering in London: an expat perspective
Like most FOCUS members, I grew up outside Britain, and volunteering was an integral part of my life. It’s just “what peo- ple did” in my small Texas hometown. So when I arrived in London as an expat in 1999, I was surprised to learn that volun- teering opportunities were difficult to find, particularly as a professional with a full- time job. Many UK charities receive fund- ing through government or lottery funds, and then hire staff to do work that in the US would be donated by volunteers. I also found that the volunteer opportunities available often required a regular commit- ment beyond what I could offer. But those trends are changing. As de-
mands for charity services grow and gov- ernment funding shrinks, the dependence on volunteers continues to grow. Almost a decade ago I joined the Junior League of London, a volunteer organisation focused on developing the potential of women and improving our community. In addition to providing me with the opportunity to give back, I have received several unexpected benefits through volunteering in London. First, it provided a way to connect with a
network of individuals I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Te volunteers span a wide range of ages, professions, nationalities and backgrounds all brought together by a common purpose. As an expat, I found it incredibly valuable to widen my connec- tions and I have developed some of my strongest friendships through serving alongside other volunteers. Second, volunteering has provided me
with valuable professional development opportunities. A recent study from recruit-
www.focus-info.org
ment firm Egon Zehnder noted that de- spite having the potential for senior posi- tions, women are often not given the roles and responsibilities to hone their compe- tencies. Taking a leading role as a volunteer can close that gap and help to develop skills that transfer easily from volunteering to professional leadership. I have enhanced my listening skills through volunteering at a homeless shelter, project management skills through organising a fundraiser, and governance skills through serving as a char- ity Trustee, just to name a few. Finally, volunteering has helped me to
connect more deeply with my local com- munity and raise my understanding of the social challenges facing London today. For example, by volunteering with our com- munity partner, Migrants Organise, I have learned how many refugees and asylum seekers are unable to access mainstream services, and with limited language skills, employment opportunities are often chal- lenging. But I have also seen first-hand that even a small investment of time can make a large difference. London is one of the richest cities in the
world with an amazing history and so much to offer, but it also faces social chal- lenges that will only be solved through the collaboration of government, business and – most importantly in my view – the indi- viduals who unite to drive change. It’s challenging to find the time but I
have never regretted a volunteer shift and the experience has been a key factor in my own transition from ‘foreigner’ to ‘local’.
Melissa Allen joined the Junior League of London in 2010 and is on the board. She holds a Masters in Leadership and Strategy from the London Business School and is the Head of the risk consulting practice at KPMG. She lives in Greenwich with her husband, Kale, and when she’s not volunteering she enjoys skiing, horse riding and travel at every opportunity.
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