Q&A Spotlight - Aimee Postle
Aimee Postle is an account manager with Birmingham PR consultancy Kinetic Communications. She is also the deputy chair for the Birmingham Future community development committee. Aimee came to university in Birmingham in 2004 and joined Kinetic shortly after completing her degree in English and History in 2007. She has been involved with Birmingham Future for three years and joined the community development committee in the summer of 2009.
Who / what is your inspiration?
When I was in my early teens, my mother was rushed into intensive care after a freak series of events which left her with internal damage. She was told to say goodbye to her family as doctors did not expect her to survive the emergency surgery. However, over 10 years’ later, she is still standing and proving those doctors wrong.
What prompted you to get involved in volunteering?
I got involved with the Birmingham Future mentoring committee because I had benefited so much from being on the receiving end of the scheme. Setting up the community development committee meant we could really focus on ensuring tangible benefits to everyone involved in volunteering – new skills and rich experiences for the volunteers and talented/skilled support for the recipients.
Which / what type of organisation are you involved in?
Most recently, I have become involved with ExtraCare Charitable Trust which provides retirement villages and enriching activities to older people around the UK. They have built a fantastic village centre at New Oscott and are now fundraising for a further four villages in Birmingham. I’m working with the team at ExtraCare Charitable Trust on their online engagement programme – a LinkedIn Group – and by introducing them to other organisations/individuals who become partners/supporters.
What's the best thing about volunteering?
Volunteering isn’t just this altruistic ‘feel-good factor’ activity; nor is it just something to put on your CV. Volunteering has allowed me to develop my presentation skills through working with school children and university students; I have been introduced to different cultures through groups such as Artistic Ministries; and have watched young entrepreneurs in action with Theatre Ark and Big Brum.
Who have you met while volunteering?
Tens, if not hundreds, of very passionate people who give their time freely and enthusiastically to support those less fortunate.
What project are you working on at the moment / would like to highlight?
The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is currently running the “Smile Birmingham” appeal to raise £10 million for the village centres in Birmingham. It would be great if people could visit the LinkedIn Group – Changing the face of old age – and get involved in the debate.
Why should others get involved?
Volunteering gives you skills, experiences and challenges that you just would not get in the workplace. It will support you with both personal growth and career development. And, it will give you a real buzz when you see how happy you can make people!
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