Q&A Spotlight - Hilary Allen

Volunteer Spotlight - Hilary Allen, Davis Langdon LLP

What prompted you to get involved in volunteering?

Believe it or not, the prompt to actually becoming a volunteer originated from a leadership training course which I was sent on by my employer 5 years ago The management course was a live children’s camp that you had to set up and run from scratch with a team you had only just met.   The kids arrived in less than 24 hours, expecting a 5 day residential activities camp and that we were the staff planning and running it!   

The children were all from disadvantaged areas and the kids see a trip to camp as a reward for good behaviour in school.  Not only was it the best training course ever because it was a real live project (and not a bridge being made out of paper and straws) but the engagement of positive adult role models, even for only a few days created lasting happy memories for many of the children.

Who / what is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from being much closer to people with a need, and those who regularly give their time to try to meet that need. There can be a tendency to view volunteers as part-saintly, making compromises that are seem unimaginable to a city-dwelling young professional.  Suddenly I saw that I could get involved.  Many of the volunteers that I met were a lot like me, with the same juggling act going on at home and just doing the best that they can…and most importantly, that this was still valuable to the charity.  

Which / what type of organisation are you involved in?

I have stayed in touch with the charity organisation behind the management training arm, and now work with children aged 7-11 at a summer and/ or Xmas camp.  They mainly provide more intense residential holidays for children who don't get taught life skills at home typically as a result of a drink, drugs and abuse background, in addition to the professional development side I first encountered.  For example, mealtimes that involve a table with adults and children chatting about their day, using knives and forks and without a TV is one of the most valuable sessions of the day.

What's the best thing about volunteering?

You can't change the world, but you can make a difference. One year, we had a very anxious 10 year old turn up who was extremely worried about being away from home and what'll happen whilst he's away because he actually runs the household.  But by day 3, that same boy was more concerned with beating you at Uno. It's a short-lived reward, but definitely worth it.  You haven't solved his problems, but you have given him a break and allowed him to be a child again.  It's deeply upsetting if you think too hard about each individual circumstance of the children and why they deserve to be at camp, but we focus on having fun and that makes it so much better than not doing it.

Who have you met while volunteering?

There simply isn’t a ‘typical’ profile of our volunteers.  There’s a mixture of university students, retired teachers, members of the construction industry (like me) and even a caterer to rock ‘n’roll stars on tour!

What project are you working on at the moment / would like to highlight (if applicable)?

The focus is on getting funding for the next Xmas camp

Why should others get involved? 

Finding a volunteering opportunity can be difficult for professionals because of the typically irregular nature of our diaries.  Doing the kids camp really works for me because I can give a lot of time, but not necessarily on an ongoing basis.  So this way I can plan and never have to cancel.  It also helps that Davis Langdon allow us 2 paid days specifically for charity work, so I can do more than before.  I'm sure there are plenty of people out there in the same boat time-wise

For child protection reasons, it is not possible to name the organisation that Hilary is involved with, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need help!  Hence if you would like to find out more information, please contact her at hilary.allen@davislangdon.com.

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