Maureen’s passion for supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty, addiction and isolation ignited when she mentored a local couple experiencing these issues in another voluntary role. Maureen met the couple regularly, got to know them as individuals and learned about the reality of sleeping rough in Glasgow. Her empathy for people facing similar challenges grew from there, which led her to start volunteering with Glasgow City Mission. Here, she hoped to connect with more people who she could learn from, and play a part in meeting their practical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Through volunteering, Maureen has got to know the Mission as well as, if not more than, many of our guests and staff. She started off volunteering at Urban, our project for people ready to rebuild their lives. At Urban, Maureen played Scrabble with guests, made them tea and toast, supported them to learn new skills and plan for the future. She has also helped to run our Drop-in services, which offer free hot nutritious meals for local people struggling to feed themselves. Maureen enjoys the energy of our Drop-in meals, full of people meeting and making connections while they share a meal. In her pastime, Maureen loves to sing, so she particularly enjoys joining in the live worship at our informal Church service, the Gathering, as well as our Choir. If that wasn’t enough, Maureen volunteers at our Women’s Group, where she has enjoyed connecting with women on their path to greater peace and stability in their lives.
“People say that I’m generous to volunteer for others, but actually I get more out of it than the guests do”, Maureen told me. The desire to connect with others is in Maureen’s nature, and this quality is celebrated at the Mission. As well as developing meaningful relationships with guests, she has built lasting friendships with volunteers and staff alike. Maureen believes beauty is what lies in our differences; the differences present among people who come to the Mission have educated and inspired her.
Maureen encourages anyone who is kind and open-minded to try out volunteering to learn more about themselves, their community and the world.
