Inspired by the “Volunteer Profiles” which featured in the GWL newsletters published in the 1990’s and 2000’s, we’re introducing some of our current volunteers, to highlight how they support our work and why they do it.
This time Volunteer Co-ordinator Gabrielle sat down with volunteer Mary-Alice to ask her a bit about her time volunteering with us.
How did you to come to volunteer at GWL?
I came in with my Dad for the reading* with Donna. Donna asked me if I wanted to volunteer and I said yes and was introduced to Gaby. That was in 2013.
*Mary-Alice is also a learner with the Adult Literacy and Numeracy project at GWL. More information about this project can be found here: https://womenslibrary.org.uk/how-to-get-involved/get-help-with-reading-writing-or-numbers/
What were you helping with when you started volunteering?
Putting the labels on the spines of the books, for example fiction, drama or poetry, so that people can find the book on the shelves. And this helped my reading.
I also put the new programmes in envelopes with another volunteer, Laine, before posting them out to people. And dropping the programmes off at local places like the Bridgeton Library and Glasgow Disability Alliance in Templeton Business Centre.
When did you become a volunteer with the Women’s Heritage Walks?
I was involved in the research of the Gorbals Women’s Heritage Walk in 2016 and started helping on the Gorbals and the East End, doing the images [circulating images of women mentioned on the walks, or of buildings which are no longer standing]. Like the Bridgeton Umbrella, a photo of Elspeth King with her cat Smudge, Helen Crawfurd, and the now demolished 20 storey high-rises of Queen Elizabeth Square.
What else have you done?
I was involved in the March of Women; I was Agnes Hardie, Labour MP for Glasgow Springburn in the 1930’s.
Over the past few years, I’ve helped our librarian Wendy to catalogue books by adding them to the computer. Gaby reckons I’ve added about 500 books a year!
What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering with GWL?
Come in and the staff will make you welcome and offer you a cup of tea. You’ll enjoy your volunteering.
Did volunteering at GWL lead you to do other things?
Yes. Like doing my sewing class at the Marie Trust. And the cycling with Sunny Cycles and Glasgow Gals.
Any final thoughts you would like to share?
Volunteering and GWL is the best thing that happens to the area. Me and my Dad were part of the steering group with Clyde Gateway which helped to the area up to standard: doing up the Cross and getting GWL to move to Bridgeton.
For more information about volunteering with us please visit this page or give us a call. https://womenslibrary.org.uk/how-to-get-involved/volunteer-at-gwl/
