The True Value of Volunteering: Why Gratitude and Critical Reflection Must Go Hand in Hand.

To every single person who gives up their time to volunteer in our community: thank you. Volunteers truly are the salt of the earth. So much of what we collectively value in our society is entirely dependent on them. I say this as a peer. I am a trustee for Refugees Welcome, a local charity that helps people who have been granted refugee status. We have no paid staff and are run entirely by volunteers. I understand firsthand the dedication, shared vision, and deep commitment it takes to show up for others. Recently, during the Bollington Festival, I engaged in several conversations about the nature of voluntary work. Regrettably, some of my comments have since been misinterpreted, misreported, and used to suggest I was disparaging the very people I champion. I want to set the record straight—and address the elephant in the room. The "Minion" Myth: Who Was I Actually Criticising? It has come back to me that some people were upset because they heard I referred to volunteers as "minions." Let me be absolutely clear about the context of that comment. I did not use that word to diminish the hard work of volunteers. I used it to criticise how large organisations, charities, and governments too often view and exploit voluntary labour. Why do large institutions love volunteers? Because, from a purely institutional standpoint, volunteers can be treated as "minions"—compliance-driven cogs in a machine who exist to execute tasks, validate management's decisions, and save the organisation (or the taxpayer) a small fortune. I explicitly included myself in that description. I am a willing "minion" in my own voluntary work. My criticism was never aimed at the people on the ground; it was aimed at an institutional culture that happily accepts free labour but closes its ears to feedback. Accountability is Not an Attack Charities—whether they be the Arts Centre, the Bridgend Centre, the Bollington Festival, or any other—must regularly ask themselves a fundamental question: Who are they ultimately working for? Are they working for the communities they were established to benefit, or have they become more focused on protecting the organisation itself and its management? Let’s take the festival as an example. The frontline volunteers did a fantastic job, and I did my absolute best to thank everyone working there on the days I attended. However, being a volunteer or running a charity does not grant an organisation immunity from public scrutiny. The festival is funded by public donations and , sponsorship. I understand that no grants were received for this year but I suspect they were applied for. It is entirely right to ask if that money was well spent. Many felt the lineup at the Rec was something of a cultural desert, over-reliant on tribute bands, and hampered by poor scheduling that drained the crowd's momentum. Crucially, the everyday volunteers had no say in those decisions. They didn't choose the acts or the timings. When organisers and organisations claim that the volunteers are being unfairly criticised, they are playing a cynical game. By using the hard work of the frontline as a human shield to deflect from poor management, they actually undermine the volunteers themselves. It conflates the decisions of the planners with the labour of the helpers, falsely suggesting that a critique of strategic planning is an attack on community spirit. We must be able to hold leadership accountable without management crying foul on behalf of a workforce they didn't consult. Cultivating a Culture of Respect, Not Silence This brings us to a deeper, more worrying issue regarding how some local organisations treat their people. When we hold celebrations for volunteering, the spotlight usually falls on formal, highly organised programmes. Take the Bridgend Centre’s Bridgend Buddies scheme, for instance—the work they do is absolutely brilliant, and it deserves recognition. However, formal schemes like this represent just a small fraction of the support network keeping our community afloat. The vast majority of care, companionship, and everyday assistance comes from the thousands of quiet acts performed by neighbours and friends looking out for those in need. A healthy charity culture requires that formal volunteers are treated as valued partners, not just replaceable workforce numbers. Sadly, a culture can develop within some organisations where volunteers feel they cannot speak up. There is a fine line between "coordinating" volunteers and expecting absolute, unquestioning compliance. When volunteers feel they cannot offer constructive feedback—or highlight issues behind the scenes—for fear of being pushed out, told they are "no longer needed," or subtly frozen out, the organisation has failed them. Volunteering should be built on mutual respect, not a culture where people are managed into silence. The countless unsung individuals helping their neighbours don’t have a badge or a manager, but they have autonomy, and their impact is vital. Moving Forward Constructive criticism is not a lack of appreciation; it is a sign of caring about the community we all share. If we want our local charities to thrive, we have to be allowed to talk honestly about what works, what doesn't, and how people are treated. So, once again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who volunteers—whether you are working with us at Refugees Welcome, helping another local group, or quietly supporting a neighbour or a friend from your own front door. Your work matters, your voice matters, and you deserve to be listened to, not just used