Volunteer: Billy Donaldson

Age: 17

From: Edinburgh

Placement: Muirhouse Youth Development Group

 “The recession meant that I wasn’t able to get on and train up as a joiner when I left school.  Volunteering with ProjectScotland kept me out of trouble and gave me the opportunity to gain new skills in something totally different.”

Billy became a ProjectScotland volunteer in January 2009 having been unemployed since leaving school the previous summer. Billy imagined he would follow his family members and become a joiner, but the recession meant there were very few opportunities. Billy decided to prepare himself for work and gain more skills by volunteering with ProjectScotland.

Billy’s placement was for 6 months with MYDG in Edinburgh. Having attended Craigroyston High School, he was aware of the club and had seen young people enjoying the activities, growing in skills and confidence and gaining new friends. He wanted to have the opportunity to help himself whilst helping others to benefit from the work MYDG does.

 “There isn’t anything for young folk to do around here. All they do is go down the Library because there’s free internet, but they end up throwing books around. If I wasn’t here, I think I’d be doing the same thing…just wasting time.”

During his placement Billy assisted with a range of activities, including football clubs, after school sessions, climbing instruction and taking groups away on residential weekends. One of the biggest challenges for Billy was dealing with people he had been at school with in a more adult manner.  As a ProjectScotland volunteer Billy was often placed in a position of responsibility within MYDG and former classmates sometimes took this opportunity to “wind him up”.  However, Billy managed to deal with their provocations in a very mature manner, learning to walk away from these situations rather than rising to the bait.

MYDG offers fantastic outdoor activity opportunities to young people in the Muirhouse area.  Billy’s proudest moment was gaining his Rock Climbing Validation Certificate, which gave him a good knowledge of rock climbing.  Once he is 18 Billy hopes to be able to do an instructors course in rock climbing so he can show other people how to climb safely.

As a result of his placement Billy now feels less shy and better prepared for beginning a full-time career. He still wants to pursue a career in joinery and recently took a test to get the opportunity for an apprenticeship. His placement has given him time to do something constructive with his time, gaining confidence, training and skills which will help him when he finally manages to get a full time job. Billy enjoyed youth work a great deal and is going to continue volunteering with MYDG on a part time basis.

“Most of my friends have just gone into jobs they hate, like dish washing, but I’ve done something really different. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve been doing and learnt new things at the same time. I never knew I’d enjoy youth work so much.”