I’m Kayleigh, one of the Senior Principal Designers at Wakemans. At the start of June, I had the privilege of attending a Leadership Development Conference in Orlando Florida for charity volunteers, hosted annually by Foresters Financial. There were 500 attendees from all over the UK, America, and Canada.
Foresters Financial is a fraternal insurance company that undertakes various volunteer and social activities for its members and the local community. There are thousands of charity volunteers across all the 3 continents mentioned above and continue to use Foresters granting to be able to give back to a wide range of local charities, schools and community groups.
I began volunteering with my parents in 2004 and have been involved in charity work, primarily within the Worcestershire area, for over 20 years. Over the years, I have participated in and helped organize various charity events, including:
• Donating and restocking £2000 worth of food at the Worcester Food Bank
• Performing DIY and decorating tasks while refurbishing the kitchens at the Evesham Youth Centre
• Carrying out external improvements and garden work at Kidderminster Cricket Club
• Building teddy bears for donation to the Cash for Kids Birmingham Christmas event
I have also had the privilege of participating in numerous volunteer activities in the United States, such as:
• Producing craft products for the Give Kids the World charity based in Orlando, Florida
• Creating paintings for use in foster children’s accommodations and crisis centres in Houston, Texas
During this 2024 conference at Orlando, in partnership with US Hunger charity, conference attendees were challenged to packing 150,000 meals of jambalaya within a 2-hour time slot to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of Foresters giving back to families and their communities. This charity involvement challenge was very enjoyable, a fantastic opportunity and highly rewarding, especially once the final pile of food boxes was visible!
In 2016, I was elected by local foresters’ members to become a Branch Councillor for the Central UK area. My responsibilities included encouraging greater member engagement within the local area, providing further communication and guidance to other charity workers, and assisting with local budgeting. In 2019, I was elected Vice President of the council, and in 2022, I was elected Branch President, a position I still hold. In this role, I manage a team of 10 members, carry out multiple monthly meetings, and assist with local charities and event holders.
Engaging in regular volunteer work is not only extremely rewarding and morale-boosting but also provides valuable insights into the local community, its issues, and its requirements. It teaches important skills such as overcoming challenges, effective teamwork, clear communication, and identifying team members’ strengths and weaknesses to ensure optimal contribution from everyone.
This volunteer experience, along with my role as a charity manager, has provided me with additional resources, training, and guidance on leadership. It has also equipped me with high-level experience and knowledge that I apply in my professional career as a Principal Designer and CDM Advisor at Wakemans.
Read about: Foresters Financial
