Caddonfoot Parent & Toddler Group – Nichole Dow

“I’ve volunteered for years!” Nichole, whose love for volunteering started in high school whilst completing her Duke of Edinburgh Award, continued through university and into adulthood and family life commenting that “The Voluntary Sector feels like home to me. There are so many different opportunities to suit various interest and where you are at in life.” Nichole’s Trustee role with the Caddonfoot Parents & Toddler Group is exactly the role she needed at that time in her life, she was keen to meet other families and to get to know her new community. Attending the playgroup was the perfect way to integrate herself, meeting new people and making friends not just herself but her children as well.

It was later Nichole joined the committee at a time when the playgroup would need to close if Trustee’s moving on were not replaced. Nichole was able to contribute her skills in management and planning and being part of sustaining such a vital social aspect of the village gave Nichole a sense of comfort and belonging. Going forward she knows that as her children grow, she wants to commit to other activities that may need her help. Taking on the volunteer role, although rewarding, does have its challenges. The rising costs of insurance and hall costs means there are always hurdles to overcome along with the fitting various commitment of the role with family and work life responsibilities.

However, the huge skills gain balances the struggles, adding value to any future careers or volunteering roles; Nichole has had her hand at annual report writing, financial planning, writing grants, promotion and furthering her people skills.

Nichole is a ‘huge believer in the superpower of volunteering’, thinking fondly of her children she knows that they will understand the importance and value of getting involved by seeing it first-hand. Her eldest already enjoys helping his mum tidy up at the end of each session and choosing what activities they should do.