Volunteers Week: We keep going, we’ll keep growing, thanks to you
Volunteers’ Week banner in English
JUNE 1st-7th is Volunteers’ Week, and this year’s theme is ‘A Time To Say Thanks’.
The Open Table Network wouldn’t - and couldn’t - exist without the volunteers who give energy, time and talents, across England and Wales. All of our Trustees and Patrons do the same. So we want to thank them all for making OTN what it is today.
Volunteers’ Week banner in Welsh
Of course, if you’re a potential volunteer, we want to say: ‘Welcome!’ After all, giving LGBTQIA+ people an open, heartfelt welcome is what OTN is all about.
Before the pandemic started, OTN’s 16 communities had contact with 321 individuals in an average month. They were supported, practically and pastorally, by 106 volunteers. But since March 2020, as COVID 19 began to create isolation and anxiety, we’ve been reaching far more people. We even established two new communities, and are supporting two more to start soon!
Our outreach is growing and growing, through our social media, our You Tube channel, and this website. Between October 2020 and March 2021, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, we’ve been averaging 4,845 contacts a month!
One of OTN’s requirements for all our communities is that LGBTQIA+ people are involved in every aspect of planning and leadership. Recently we did research among our volunteers to learn from their experience, and to listen to their advice on how to move forward.
In January 2021, we conducted an online survey, and two focus groups with volunteers from a cross-section of OTN communities. We asked local volunteers: ‘What attracted you to support your Open Table community’. Their responses showed that their support for others grew out of support for themselves. The reasons they gave included:
Help to integrate my spirituality and my sexuality / gender identity
Wanted to be part of support, affirmation and change for LGBTQIA+ people
Wanted to create an explicit welcome for LGBTQIA+ people
Wanted to be part of an LGBTQIA+ affirming community
Inclusive worship and liturgy
A sense of belonging and community
Wanted to provide support for LGBTQIA+ people in ministry
Wanted to create a non-judgmental safe community.
Here are just a couple of the personal quotes that people added to their answers:
Open Table Network was really good for my mental health, but super fun because I’ve been part of it.
I start to see people begin to flourish as they begin to accept themselves and find people who have lived similar experiences.
A full report on our research with our members, volunteers and partners, is coming soon. Watch this space!
