Volunteers’ Week – Owain

This week we are celebrating our fantastic volunteers and the valuable addition they make to the Music in Hospitals & Care community. From helping out at fundraising events, to being on our local committees or Board of Trustees, helping out behind the scenes at our regional offices, collecting concert feedback and reaching out to new audiences, we want to thank all of the people who donate their time and skills to help us share ‘Joy Through Live Music’. During these unique times we are more grateful than ever for their support.

We speak to Owain Brodrick, who volunteered with us earlier this year at our Cardiff office, about his experiences.

How did you get involved with Music in Hospitals & Care?

I am currently studying Arts Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Music in Hospitals & Care offers the opportunity each year for students to gain some work experience with the organisation. Having looked into the work that this charity does, I was interested in finding out more about how they are able to deliver so many concerts with such a range of audiences to a high standard.

How long did you volunteer for Music in Hospitals & Care?

I volunteered for six weeks and this was enough to give me an understanding of how much work goes into every aspect of the charity and how much people appreciate the service that they provide. Having had the opportunity to read feedback from various concerts, it’s clear that the service is much needed within healthcare and the talent of the musicians.

What did you get involved with whilst volunteering?

Seeing how important fundraising is to the daily operations as well as the task of booking concerts was an insight that I valued highly while I was with Music in Hospitals & Care. Working with the team that is dedicated to creating the concerts was very enjoyable and understanding what is needed for an organisation to work effectively is part of what I would like to do in the future.

What was your favourite moment?

Being able to see a concert in a care home in Cardiff was definitely a favourite memory of mine. This was towards the end of my time with Music in Hospitals & Care and was a brilliant way to complete the circle of seeing how the concerts are organised and funded to now experiencing what effect the work has on individuals.

Would you recommend volunteering for Music in Hospitals & Care to others?

Absolutely! This was my first experience of working for a charity and I can now see why people have such a passion for the work they do. It’s because they are making a difference to people and being a part of such a valued organisation for me was not only rewarding but opened my eyes to the charity sector as a whole.

If you are interested in volunteering with us once we get back in the office, please contact us to let us know where you are based and what you’d like to get involved with!

Organised by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations England in partnership with Volunteer Now Northern Ireland, Volunteer Scotland and Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Volunteers’ Week takes place annually between 1^st – 7^th June. Find out more at volunteersweek.org.