Volunteers

How it all began

My story started 4 years ago, when I began attending DIWC’s cooking class as a learner. I started the class as a way to cheer myself up and do something a wee bit different. I was experiencing health issues and was feeling really sorry for myself, as my children were growing up fast and didn’t need me as much as when they were younger.

After about a year of attending the class, I was asked if I would like to become a volunteer in the Basic Arts & Crafts class, as I was a very crafty person with many art skills. I jumped at this opportunity!

This started my volunteering journey at DIWC, supporting the learners to take part in art activities in the class. I enjoyed this very much, as the group was very welcoming and friendly. And I was still able to attend my favourite cooking class, as well as volunteering.

How my role evolved into teaching

Over time, I found that, in the cooking class, I began acting as a mentor to new learners. I would take my time to chat with them and encourage them to participate in every session. The teacher noticed this, and offered me a new voluntary role, where I could assist her by supporting all the new learners. I was very pleased at this and it has really helped to increase my confidence and self-esteem.

The Basic Arts & Crafts class evolved from supporting the teacher to becoming the class tutor, where I planned and delivered the art sessions to the learners. I loved this role even more, as it used all my art skills and knowledge. I enjoy watching the learners creating art projects and seeing the pride that they felt once they had finished their project.

volunteering opportunities in Dundee with DIWC

Teaching arts and crafts

As the Basic Arts & Crafts class was a success, I was asked if I could run a few blocks of crafts recycling sessions. I loved this idea and began volunteering another morning each week at DIWC, delivering Make Do & Mend sessions.

This was a great way for women to learn how to recycle old materials that they had at home. The class was a hit with learners and it now has a permanent place on DIWC’s timetable.

Fundraising so that others can participate in the classes too

Outwith the classes, I recently helped the Volunteer Coordinator to create DIWC’s fundraising group. We meet on a regular basis to plan new ways to raise funds, which will provide opportunities for more women to participate in DIWC classes and events.

As part of this group, I helped to establish the coffee shop as a way to raise money. I bake cakes and sell refreshments several times a week, alongside my other voluntary roles.

I feel that DIWC is an amazing place which is very uplifting and inspirational to all women who attend. It is a great pleasure to be part of. There are many ways you can get involved by donating your time and skills.

Mariam has been coming to DIWC since the age of 13, when she joined Macara Youth Group. Through opportunities offered by the Centre, she went from being a Youth Board Member to becoming a Trustee and shares her role and the challenges she faces.

What is Dundee International Women’s Centre (DIWC)?

Dundee International Women’s Centre is an organisation dedicated to helping women, particularly those from Black and Ethnic Minority communities, by providing them opportunities to achieve three aims; engagement, education and self-empowerment.

Through engaging with an age demographic from toddlers in the crèche to elderly women in the Bazorg group, the Centre provides activities which support these women to work towards goals that were previously unavailable or subjectively unachievable.

DIWC is an organisation that creates a family for women who are isolated.

How did I get involved?

From the age of 13, I attended the Macara Youth Group within the Centre. Being 22 years of age now, I have volunteered in different roles in the Centre for a number of years.

One of the opportunities the Centre offers is for a youth member to sit on the Board as a Youth Board Member. I was offered this opportunity at 17 years old, and first started on the board at 18. In this position as a Youth Board Member, it allows the young person to learn about the organisation from a more strategic and managerial perspective. It also provides them with an opportunity at a young age to work alongside professional women who provide them with insight into the organisation, as well as their relevant fields of work.

After a year and a half, my role was changed to a full Board Member, meaning I could make decisions about all aspects of the organisation. I have been on the board for 4 years and have continued to learn, understand, and apply the new skills I have acquired.

Future Plans?

Our plans for the future are to carry on with the work we do, by trying constantly to reach out to more women in the black and ethnic minority community. Additionally, in the future we would like to expand our organisation by providing services that can help the communities we are trying to target. By accommodating to the needs of our learners, we can create an organisation that is more orientated towards them and achieve a long lasting impact on those individuals. Personally, I intend to remain on the board to try and further increase my skill set, and gain more insight with the ever evolving and changing organisation DIWC is.

What’s My Role?

My role on the Board of Trustees is to act as a Board Member in order to make strategic decisions for the organisation. I work alongside other trustees to discuss these issues with an intention to find a mutual decision which best suits the needs of our learners.

What Are The Challenges?

The challenges for me have evolved with my time on the Board. Initially, due to being very young, the challenges included voicing my opinion and having the confidence to discuss matters arising in meetings. As time went on this confidence built, and I am now able to provide useful and interesting opinions that are appreciated and valued by my colleagues. The next challenge was being able to fully understand what the organisation was, and what we represented as a group. This became clearer once we as an organisation collectively created our vision, mission, aims and objectives. It became clear what we wanted to achieve, which helped with my own understanding of the organisation.

The challenges now include trying to be in the organisation more and keep up with new individuals joining, as well as trying to attend as many events within the centre as possible. I feel it is important to be personally involved in the centre in order to be an effective Board Member. This is an objective of mine that I constantly try to work on. Although the commitment of being a board member can be time consuming and difficult with other responsibilities, being given the opportunity to make a difference like this has always kept me motivated and grateful.

Why Do I Do It?

My initial reason for becoming a Trustee was to increase my experience and I saw it as a great opportunity. In addition to this, I was very passionate about equality for women and particularly with helping diverse women from a range of communities.

Once I had become a Trustee I realised the potential to help so many individuals and it inspired me to stay on the board and genuinely make a difference. I feel that by being a Trustee I help to achieve a common goal of helping women become the best version of themselves. I continue to be passionate about what we do, and witness the difference in the women that attend our centre.

Mariam Okhai

Meet the Volunteer: Lynne’s journey from learner to class tutor