30 May 2025

Celebrating the contribution of Glasgow Life volunteers

During National Volunteers' Week (Monday 2 June to Sunday 8 June) Glasgow Life is taking the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding support of thousands of volunteers who help our charity make a real difference to the lives of people in Glasgow and visitors to the city.

Volunteers support Glasgow Life in delivering culture and sport across at city events or in regular roles at our museums, arts and music venues, libraries, and community and sport facilities.

Glasgow Life's volunteer programme continues to go from strength to strength, and over the past year more than 1,600 volunteers supported our programmes and events, contributing nearly 25,000 hours of their time. That equates to an economic value of around £410,000. And since Glasgow Life's formation, we estimate that the broader contribution our volunteers make to the city's economy is around £11.1 million.

Our 2024 volunteers survey revealed that 92% rated their experience as excellent or very good, 98% felt appreciated and recognised for volunteering with Glasgow Life, and 91% said they would recommend a friend to get involved in our volunteer programme.

Their feedback tells us they gain a great deal from having the chance to give something back, and how much fulfilment and satisfaction they enjoy from their roles. They say they feel more connected with their communities, their physical and mental health benefits, they gain confidence, new skills and experience, and have made life-long friends from becoming involved in a volunteer role.

Employer Supported Volunteering

A group of four people wearing hi-vis vests and gardening gloves standing together in a sunny garden in front of a hospice building
Members of the Learning and Development team volunteering in the gardens of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice

Glasgow Life colleagues can also take advantage of the opportunity to volunteer through our Employer Supported Volunteering scheme.

The Learning and Development team (pictured) recently used their volunteering day to help out at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Bellahouston. They cleared patios outside patient rooms and cleaned paths, meaning families and patients have a nice clean space to get outside.

Find out more about Employer Supported Volunteering at https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/about-us/colleague-information/hr-policies-and-documents/volunteering.