The Hidden Benefits of Volunteering
At Scouts we know just how beneficial our programme is at helping young people develop skills for life. We also know the huge benefits that volunteering can bring, by supporting positive mental health and wellbeing, and helping people connect in their community. We recently caught up with Matt Tench, a student at the University of Edinburgh, about how his volunteer experience with the Scouts helped him adapt to university life in a new city.
Originally from Warrington in Cheshire, in addition to the academic pressures first-year students face, Matt was also living away from home for the first time. “The first few days and weeks at university were a bit overwhelming. Everything was new and I didn’t know anybody,” said Matt.
A lifelong Scout, Matt decided to volunteer as an Assistant Section Leader with the 44th Braid in Edinburgh. “Scouting provided me with a familiar structure that made me feel welcome and helped me to settle into university life,” continues Matt. “My role with a local Scout group also provided me with a direct link into Edinburgh’s local community.”
Despite having to move home during the pandemic, Matt continued volunteering remotely. “Helping to run a Scout group online meant that I had at least one social activity to look forward to every week. The pandemic was an extraordinary and difficult experience for everyone but Scouting helped me a lot.”
Once lockdowns were lifted, Matt returned to Scotland and volunteering in person every Friday evening. “I enjoyed engaging with the young people in our group. I learned to take on responsibility – by organising meetings, hikes and camps – and improved my communication and teamwork skills. While I occasionally found myself pressed for time, my Scout role actually complemented my studies.”
Helped by his Scouting experiences, Matt settled so well into academic life that he gained many awards including a First-Class Honours degree in Business with Decision Analytics and the university’s Iain Isdale Hird Memorial Prize – awarded to the most distinguished dissertation submitted for a Business School degree in any Business subject area.
We asked Matthew what he would say to any other students out there looking to volunteer, he said “Give it a go! You will be made to feel very welcome as a volunteer in Scouting. Don’t think you have to be an expert – you will learn new skills and benefit from helping others. And it might also improve your academic grades too; it certainly worked for me.”
If you’re interested in volunteering whilst studying, or working, why not find out where your local group is?
