Pam’s Volunteer Story
Pam started volunteering with The Green Team in 2023.
Pam helps support The Green Team in various ways including her amazing contribution volunteering with our award-winning Thrive Programme.
Thrive is 14-18 year olds and aims to support mental health through building a safe space, community, connection to nature, and achievement in activities.
To help inspire others to volunteer with us, we asked Pam, dressed here in orange, to share her Green Team story!
‘I really feel that THE best way to heal is through nature and community and connection.’
Why the Green Team and what inspired you to volunteer?
My background and training is as a holistic and well-being practitioner who specialises in trauma-sensitive body work, including carniosacral work. I’m also a myofascial release instructor and have run a sports injury clinic for 20 years, no, 30 years!
Going through the pandemic my whole business and way of life changed. I could no longer practise close contact therapies, so I was keen to explore other ways to support people. Then coming out of lockdown, I broke my leg. It was my own personal third lockdown!
It was as I came out of all of that, it just felt like ‘Wow, it’s a very different world all of a sudden…’
A different world and a new perspective
I recognised that my focus wasn’t just about building up my business again. I knew I wanted to spend more time in nature AND I wanted to find new ways to help out and support others.
At the time, there was more of an awareness of mental health. It felt like we were all really struggling from the impact of COVID on health and well-being. So I thought rather than just working on an individual basis, how else could I get involved and maybe offer my services voluntarily?
Good old Google!
I’m interested in nature and I’m interested in helping children. One of the first reasons I got into the work that I do 30 years ago was to help with mothers, babies and families. So that’s really been my passion from the outset really.
So I thought, I’d look up charities that are to do with children and nature? I literally typed that into Google and up popped The Green Team!
Why did you choose the Thrive Programme?
Because I feel so passionate about helping young people and children of all ages. If you haven’t got a good start in life, then, you’re facing an upward struggle. So, if we can encourage people to connect with nature, with themselves, with each other.
I really feel that THE best way to heal is through nature and community and connection.
What are your highlights of volunteering?
I think it’s seeing how the young people you meet develop. At first, they are often so reserved or so unsure of both themselves within themselves, or within a group.
By the end, you’ve been able to see them grow as individuals. You’ve seen them out on expeditions, giving speeches about their experiences, just seeing them coming out of themselves, having a laugh and making friends.
Why would you recommend volunteering with the Green Team?
I just think it’s so rewarding in terms of seeing how the children and young people really grow in confidence.
By being in nature and being in a community with each other and themselves, they just grow so much as individuals and as a group. And as a volunteer you get to witness that confidence grow. It’s just so worthwhile.
Nature connection. It’s all we need…
It really is all we need.
Personally, I just think every child on the planet should have the ability to be out in nature, connecting with a lovely space, where there’s no judgement and you’re just encouraged to be the best that you can be.
With The Green Team, being part of a longer-term project has also really benefited me. I’ve been able to see and appreciate the lasting positive impact these projects have on young people.
Is there anything else you want to add that may encourage others to volunteer with The Green Team?
Just do it!
I know lots of people talk about it doing it and it takes something special to take the first step. But, actually, it’s SO worth it and you are supported every step of the way!
Thank you, Pam
A final word from Mandy our Volunteer Coordinator,
‘And that’s why you are amazing as a Thrive volunteer, Pam, your passion just comes through you. You are so lovely and so gregarious with people. Your energy is just so smiley.’
INSPIRED BY PAM’S STORY?
The Green Team is looking for Volunteers on Mondays and/or Wednesdays to support our Thrive programme. Can you help? FIND OUT MORE including how to APPLY >>
VOLUNTEERING WITH THE GREEN TEAM
The Green Team is committed to reducing inequality, valuing diversity and enabling inclusion. We have also signed up to The Volunteer Charter through Volunteer Scotland which helps to ensure that volunteers are engaged in meaningful, inclusive and legitimate tasks which do not undermine the role of paid workers.
We welcome applications from people from all parts of the community, particularly where we are under-represented. Currently, this includes people who identify as having a disability, and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.