How volunteering can lead to a professional role

If you're looking to build up excellent experience working with a charity or organisation of interest to you, you may find that volunteering is a great way to learn about how the organisation works.

Some of our valued AbilityNet staff started as Tech Volunteers, and some continue to volunteer for AbilityNet in addition to their professional roles.

Perhaps you might be similarly inspired to put your background skills to use with AbilityNet either as a Tech Volunteer or by applying for our upcoming vacancies?

Here, meet some of the AbilityNet team who began with us as Tech Volunteers. 

Jamie Robson, Free Services Administrator, Based in the Scottish Highlands

What prompted you to begin volunteering with AbilityNet?

Back in 2018, I gave up full-time work and was looking for something more part-time.  As part of my job search, I was made aware of AbilityNet via the Indeed website.

As my background was in IT (and I enjoy helping people), it seemed a great fit for what I could offer.

What skills did you build up as part of your time volunteering with AbilityNet that you could transfer into a role either with AbilityNet or another organisation?

My technical skills have certainly broadened. As an example, I’d had no experience of iPads or iPhones prior to volunteering with AbilityNet. Now I’m happy to support clients with those devices. I’m much more aware of assistive technologies as well. On a personal level, I found dealing with our clients an education and I’d like to think I’m more aware of the challenges that older and disabled people face.

How did your relationship with AbilityNet and the team develop over your time volunteering?

It just went downhill from day one! No - but seriously…  I got to know a few people in the wider AbilityNet team. Mainly my coordinator at the time, but also some of the admin team. It was always nice to take part in the volunteer forums to see and hear from other volunteers and members of the AbilityNet team. 

What did the paid role recruitment process entail?

As well as volunteering, I also helped out with new volunteer interviews sometimes.  I guess this raised my profile a little and I was delighted to be asked to be part of the Digital Lifeline project, doing online assessments and running training sessions for partner organisations. In 2022 I was made aware of a vacancy in the admin team and it immediately appealed to me.

The recruitment process was very straightforward indeed and I was extremely impressed with the speed that everything happened. HR was brilliant.    

What would your advice be to anyone considering a career in social care and/or accessibility?

It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help someone on a practical level. We can see the immediate benefits that digital accessibility is able to bring.

What would you say to anyone unsure about volunteering? 

A small amount of knowledge and input from a volunteer can be life changing for some people, especially if they are isolated and/or vulnerable. By enabling our clients to use technology a little better, they can access vital support/services, communicate with friends and family, and hopefully retain some independence. That is its own reward.

I’ve learned so much as a volunteer both about mainstream technology and also accessibility. There are some amazing apps out there and even the most basic of devices have accessibility options as standard. 

Despite working full-time, the flexibility offered by volunteering with AbilityNet enables me to continue to support clients in my spare time.

Many older people and disabled people experience difficulties with their technology, and can’t find the support they need. Our amazing volunteers provide one-to-one technology support remotely and through home visits. Get involved today - find out more in the video below.

Download the transcript of the video [Word doc].

Lizi Green, Mid Level Workplace and Education Inclusion Consultant, Based in Warwickshire 

What prompted you to begin volunteering with AbilityNet?

I actually started working at AbilityNet first. I’d been a member of the assessment services admin team for about 6 months and I was working in the same office as the Free Services team taking the calls from clients.

Originally I wasn’t sure I had enough technical knowledge to be able to volunteer, but I soon realised that I was able to answer some of the questions coming in from clients and that there were likely to be clients that I was able to help in person as a volunteer, so I signed up to volunteer. 

What skills did you build up as part of your time volunteering with AbilityNet that you could transfer into a role either with AbilityNet or another organisation?

Being a Tech Volunteer with AbilityNet certainly increased my interest in assistive technology (AT). I became especially passionate about looking into AT that was free or low-cost, so I was able to offer options to clients that weren’t going to be very expensive and possibly not an option for them. My interest in this led to me being able to advance from my admin role and I started running free tech demo days for universities, where I could share my knowledge of free and low-cost apps for education that university staff could then share with students.

Through volunteering and working at AbilityNet, I then successfully applied for a role as a digital inclusion consultant in 2022, and I now get to spend my time developing and delivering workplace inclusion services to a range of clients across all sectors. 

How did your relationship with AbilityNet and the team develop over your time volunteering?

Opening a relationship with the volunteers has really helped me develop my tech skills. Our volunteers have a huge amount of tech knowledge between them and they are always keen to share and support each other. The Tech Volunteer forums are a great place to do this.

The pandemic really gave us a sense of community amongst the volunteers working from home and lockdown gave us all a better understanding of the isolation that some might have experienced for a long time before Covid. The volunteers came together not only to help our clients but also each other. Once a month during Covid myself and colleagues put on a social quiz for staff and volunteers to help everyone keep in touch with each other when we could get out and about. 

What would your advice be to anyone considering a career in social care and/or accessibility? 

A career in social care and accessibility is one that is both important and rewarding. My advice would be to get involved in whatever way you can.

There is so much to learn, especially when it comes to accessibility, so developing your skills will certainly help you progress in your career. A career in social care and accessibility is incredibly rewarding. If you have a genuine passion for helping others, then you should embrace the opportunity to make a positive impact and be a catalyst for positive change in people's lives. Volunteering with an organisation such as AbilityNet can certainly help you to do this. 

What would you say to anyone unsure about volunteering?

Volunteering is a great opportunity to gain practical experience that will allow you to understand the field better, work with diverse populations, and build relationships with a network of professionals.

One of the best things about volunteering with AbilityNet is the flexibility in the role. This means that you can fit volunteering around your own life and work schedule. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to work alongside people who have a huge wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry. 

Rob McLean, Based in Fife, Scotland

What prompted you to begin volunteering with AbilityNet?

I was already volunteering with Bloodbikes when I noticed a social post about needing volunteers even if it was two hours a month. I thought I could at least do that.

I help my parents and elderly neighbours with stuff like wifi, phones, staying safe online and so seemed the right thing to do.

What skills did you build up as part of your time volunteering with AbilityNet?

I joined a network of valued experience tech folk that know the answers and are willing to help for free. I was able to access resources that have lots of answers to common problems.

How did your relationship with AbilityNet and the team develop over your time volunteering?

I got more involved in helping clients more regularly and helped promote the service, which ended up in the press and nearly on the TV news.

How did your paid role come about? What did the recruitment process entail?

I offered to attend the British-Irish Symposium on behalf of AbilityNet in Edinburgh, and through some great networking I was made aware of the then upcoming project with BT Group. I had retired the previous year, however the importance of landing this project sits well with me in that we should be helping our parents and grandparents to be included in a digital world as well as keeping them safe online.

I applied for the role and enjoyed my interview, having sat on the other side for many years. Suffice to say I am now back working - for the next year while the project is ongoing anyway!

What would your advice be to anyone considering a career in social care and/or accessibility?

If everyone gave a little back we would have less pressure on our social care systems and we know it’s the right thing to do. A bit of respect looking after our elders after all the time they invested in us.

What would you say to anyone unsure about volunteering? 

I have volunteered for many years with various charities and the amazing sense of well being from helping others less fortunate can be quite humbling and yet extremely satisfying. It's good for the body and mind for all.

Chris Grant, Community Relationship Officer, Free Services, Based in the Scottish Highlands

What prompted you to begin volunteering with AbilityNet? 

Losing my job with an Internet Service Provider due to ill health. Then I did an Internet search and found AbilityNet!

I learned more about the Charity and what everyone did on the team and as time grew I really wanted to join the team and kept an eye out for suitable paid roles that I could apply for.

What skills did you build up as part of your time volunteering with AbilityNet?

Project Management, Volunteer Management and development, and Customer services skills.

How did your paid role at AbilityNet come about? What did the recruitment process entail?

It was via a short-term funded role via the Scottish Government. I then interviewed successfully for my current role, with AbilityNet's Head of HR, Mairead Comerford, and Free Services Manager, Sarah Brain.

What would your advice be to anyone considering a career in social care and/or accessibility?

Grab it! The difference you could make to someone is huge. Volunteering can be fitted in around the time you have available. You can learn so much and I would say the social opportunities you get to mix with other volunteers is also really important.

I really didn't know and think about digital inclusion in previous jobs, but since joining AbilityNet I've learned so much about the difference it makes to people. It gives you a warm feeling to support others. 

Interested in volunteering? Join our team

• Become an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer
• For information about current vacancies at AbilityNet visit the jobs section of our website.
• To express your interest in working for AbilityNet please email careers@abilitynet.org.uk