Volunteer Stories
Volunteer Stories: Meet Pauline
Meet Pauline a great match for GCP!
Pauline first noticed the Grassmarket Centre during lockdown, when she had her daily walk around the town centre. She had volunteered elsewhere, but was looking for something new.
As an employee of Lloyd’s Banking Group, she was also aware of other ways to bring even more value to her volunteering.
Thanks to Pauline, GCP was able to benefit from her employer’s Matched Giving programme.
Did you know that if you work for a big organisation and decide you’d like to volunteer or fundraise, you may be able to get matched funding too, to support your chosen charity?
How about that for a win-win!
Matched Funding
Pauline applied to the Lloyd’s Banking Group Matched Giving Programme, and received funding to support GCP. So, not only were we lucky to have Pauline’s valuable time, but Lloyds matched that time at an equivalent of £10 hour!
Pauline has also managed to precure obsolete work keyboards and mice for GCP too. A huge thank you to Pauline and Lloyds for all their support.
Pauline’s volunteering with GCP
Pauline helps support Open Door Meals on a Wednesday and, until recently, the Art Group on a Friday. After 34 years working for Lloyds, Pauline has just retired, so there will be no more matched funding, BUT we are still so lucky to have Pauline!
‘I love volunteering at the Grassmarket Community Centre, it is different from being at work and any previous volunteering I have done. I always felt I had to mind my P’s and Q’s and be very careful how I spoke.
‘GCP is really well organised but there’s also a sense of freedom, which means you can be completely yourself.’
After a chat with Kevin, our Volunteer Manager, Pauline has decided to put her Business Analyst skills to good use and start volunteering every Thursday with GCP’s IT Group.
Pauline really appreciates the support she gets as a volunteer,
‘Kevin is always there for you. There is real pastoral support and I feel very safe. I may consider helping at other groups in the future too.’
Pauline has many plans for her retirement, including more gym time, more baking and more of her favourite activity, Boxing!
Luckily her plans also include more GCP volunteering, too,
‘I’m a happy person and I like making people happy. I hope to keep coming along to do my bit for GCP.’
Pauline is keen to encourage others to try volunteering too,
‘I would say to anyone, Try Volunteering! It’s great to give anything a go and you can always step back if it’s not for you.
‘The Grassmarket Community Project is run with kindness and love, and the members and volunteers are all super. As a Volunteer at GCP, you will definitely feel supported and made welcome.’
Thanks again for all your support, Pauline.
We wish you a long and happy retirement and look forward to some of it being shared with us!
Find out more about Matched Funding
If you volunteer with us, it may be worth checking out if your organisation does a similar matched funding or equipment donation scheme. Every little helps the Grassmarket Community Project to support vulnerable people in Edinburgh.
Volunteer with us
We would not be able to deliver the amazing support and services we provide to vulnerable people and social enterprise customers without our fantastic volunteers.
Become a Member
There are lots of opportunities for individuals to participate and join in! Everyone is welcome.
A BIG THANK YOU
The Grassmarket Community Project’s Members Programme relies on the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our key funders for this area of our work are Nationwide Community Grants, The Robertson Trust and EVOC/Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. We thank them for their essential continued support.
The Grassmarket Community Project’s Volunteer Programme also relies on the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our main funder for this area of our work is The Big Lottery Changing Lives programme and we thank them for their essential continued support.