Celebrating International Volunteers Day: The Power of Giving Back

International Volunteers Day, celebrated on December 5th each year, is a moment to recognise and honour the incredible contributions of volunteers worldwide. This day shines a light on the selfless individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to making a difference in their communities, and beyond. 

Volunteering isn’t just about giving; it’s about making a lasting impact. Whether it’s supporting a local charity, mentoring a young person, or helping communities in need, volunteers are at the heart of positive social change. They bring people together, foster a sense of community, and inspire others to get involved. 

At Paragon Skills, we aim to serve the community as best we can; our ethos and purpose of the business is to deliver an outstanding teaching and learning experience to every learner, every time. As a business, Paragon Skills wish to widen our impact on the community by supporting our colleagues to make a positive difference through positive action and volunteering. For this reason, Paragon Skills provide each colleague with up to three paid working days of volunteering leave each year, to support a cause of their choice related to the actions of a reputable charity or community service. Whether it’s volunteering for causes close to their hearts or simply giving their time to help others, our team members make a difference every day. 

Volunteering stories from our Paragon Skills/ Knovia Group colleagues: 

Chloe Gilgrist, Talent Resourcer 

“I chose to spend 2 of my volunteering days at my local RSPCA animal centre as I absolutely adore animals.
As you can imagine, I was in my element. I spent time helping with the daily cleaning, walking the dogs, socialising the cats  and helping to create enrichment. 

I am grateful that Knovia enabled me to give back to my local community and make a positive impact!” 

Caroline Budd, Health & Social Care Personal Tutor 

“I am an active volunteer for Deliverance Animal Rescue in Bishop Auckland and I am known as “foster mummy Nanna Caz”.  I support Christine Kipling, Founder of Deliverance, and I personally, have taken in 54 cats and kittens this year alone – across the rescue we have had: 

• cats = 290 

• dogs = 4 

• rabbits = 12 

• guinea pigs = 23 

• birds (pigeons) = 2 

As a volunteer this involves the care of the cats/kittens waiting to be adopted (between January and November my dining room turns into a cattery full of crates – I get some release during December); vet runs, fundraising, rescuing from appalling situations, caring for new born orphans and bottle feeding, and ensuring safe homes are found through rigorous home checks. 

After a day’s work, you will find me cleaning crates, feeding, grooming, playing and taming even the spiciest of moggies (scars to prove it) as well as aiding in the response to messages on the admin page of our Facebook group.    

Volunteering to me is my release from stress, it gives me the greatest satisfaction knowing that I am a part of a non-charity, non-profit making rescue. 

This year has been extremely hard, and some cats and kittens sadly didn’t make it despite all of our efforts.  One particular cat is Bagpuss, he came to me as a rescue, he had been living on the streets for 6 years and had survived by living on scraps of food and taking shelter in hedges and avoiding being trapped.  One night he just walked into the trap (I think he knew he was in a bad way and needed help) and was taken to Wilsons Vets for treatment.  This poor lad had severe mouth ulcers, his claws had ripped through his paw pads, his fur was matted and needed to be completely shaved.  Bagpuss spent 4 days in vet hospital and has now found his forever home.  This lad will be in my heart for a long time.  He’s very special” 

Chloe Mcmorris, Functional Skills Team Leader and Emma Whitfield, Health & Social Care & Residential Childcare Operations Manager 

“A very rewarding morning spent volunteering with Feeding Families, unloading and collecting donations, and packing food parcels for those in need this Christmas 🤍

Would highly recommend signing up to volunteer, if you’re able. You can do this as a one-off and don’t need to commit to anything. Alternatively, if you’re able, please donate. Each box costs £25 to fill, and our group packed 100 in just this morning’s session. They’re still £9000 away from their target of providing 8,500 boxes this Christmas: https://lnkd.in/gvyEq7EA

Thank you, Paragon Skills, for allowing us time to volunteer during working hours.” 

Adam Blake, Talent Resourcer 

“Working for Paragon Skills you get some amazing benefits. I used one of my volunteering days to help with the preparation of a medieval fair over the weekend. It was great experience and insightful to all the hard work that goes behind the scenes of any event.

Some organisations don’t offer volunteering leave which I believe is great shame as it can be rewarding to see the benefits of helping out.” 

Niki Husher, Safeguarding & People Business Partner 

“In April I used 2 days volunteering leave to help with the set up of Teddy Rocks music festival. 

Teddy Rocks, an event that began in a pub, is now an annual event, in Dorset, that aims to raise money for Children’s cancer Charities. I’ve been attending the event with my family for the last three years, but felt I wanted to do more than simply give them my money as a festival goer.  

In it’s 10th year the festival has a capacity of 10,000 guests and this year hosted acts including East 17, the Vanga Boys, Feeder and Jake Bug.  

The festival relies on an army of volunteers to support with the set up, doing jobs like putting up fencing, branding key areas of the event, welcoming traders on site, putting up signage and generally supporting with anything and everything that needs to be done. It’s a massive operation to turn a field into a festival site, especially for paying guests who are there to spend their hard earned money to support this fantastic event, as well as those that are quite rightly there to party into the night.  

I didn’t know what to expect, but soon had a degree in cable ties, skriming and branding, locating essential kit in the stores, and supporting with vehicle recovery when the mud won out.  Above all I got a real appreciation of the effort that goes in to raising money in this way. 

I fully intend to be back there again next year and couldn’t be prouder to have then been able to wear my crew badge during the festival itself and to be able to say that I played my part in helping to raise £85,968.00 for children’s cancer charities.” 

These stories highlight how volunteering has shaped their lives and the lives of those they have helped, the impact of their work speaks volumes. 

On this International Volunteers Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of volunteering and the power it holds to create a better, more compassionate world. Thank you to all the volunteers, including those at Paragon Skills, for your dedication, kindness, and unwavering support to those in need. 

If you are looking for ways to give back, consider joining the thousands of volunteers around the world who are making a difference. Your actions, no matter how big or small, can help change lives. 

Happy International Volunteers Day!