Glasgow Life volunteers enhance lives in the city
Glasgow Life is making the most of National Volunteers' Week by celebrating the outstanding support of thousands of volunteers who help the culture and sport charity.
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 4 June 2024 9:22
Volunteers support Glasgow Life in delivering culture and sport across the city either at events – including Celtic Connections, the UCI Cycling World Championships and World Athletic Indoor Championships – or in regular roles at our museums, arts and music venues, libraries, and community and sport facilities.
In 2023/24, over 6,000 volunteers, gave over 100,000 hours of their time to support us, helping enhance the experiences Glasgow offers to people who live and work in the city or visit it.
This year is the 40th anniversary of National Volunteers Week, and the charity – one of Scotland’s largest – is marking four decades of volunteering by one of its most experienced and accomplished volunteers, Margaret Anderson.
Margaret, who will be 80 this year and lives in Glasgow’s southside, gives her time to offer visitors free guided tours at The Burrell Collection.
Sharing her wealth of knowledge of its treasures, and bringing their stories to life through her love of history, she is respected and very popular with the museum’s team and visitors alike.
An outstanding ambassador for both volunteering and the world-famous attraction, she was awarded an MBE for her services to volunteering, and wonderful support of Glasgow Life Museums, in 2004.
In 1984 Margaret became one of the first people to enrol to become a volunteer guide at The Burrell Collection.
Having been a history teacher before starting her family, Margaret had an interest in museums and was keen to see Sir William Burrell’s remarkable collection of historic treasures.
Through the years, Margaret has had many volunteer roles at The Burrell Collection, interviewing and training new volunteers, gathering research, helping shape Glasgow Life Museums volunteering policy and procedures, and acting as the volunteer guide organiser.
Glasgow Life Museums volunteer guide Margaret Anderson says: “Over the course of my years volunteering at The Burrell I’ve seen many changes. The guided tours we offer have evolved and we’ve introduced specialist themed tours. Rooms have been altered, and the building itself has of course been transformed by its major renovation. Displays of the collection have changed considerably too, and there have been many innovations, with digital and interactive displays being introduced to make the experience of visitors of all ages more interactive, accessible and inclusive.
“One thing that has remained consistent though is that as a volunteer guide, you are always learning and gaining new experiences, which is wonderful. I love the opportunity of meeting visitors from all over the world and have been amazed at how far some have travelled to Glasgow – sometimes to spend just a day here – with the sole purpose of visiting the museum, as it’s renowned as a world-class attraction. Showing them around and telling them about the Collection is always rewarding. It’s fascinating to hear their impressions of the exhibits and even after all these years, some of the questions they ask can still be new to me!”
Glasgow Life Head of Museums, Duncan Dornan, said: “Margaret is a wonderful asset to The Burrell Collection and the contribution that she has made, and continues to make, is truly remarkable. She, and all of the volunteers who support our museums teams, help in so many ways to enhance our cultural offering, enabling all of our venues, to offer an exceptional, welcoming and memorable visitor experience.”
Glasgow Life Chief Executive, Susan Deighan, added: “We are extremely proud and grateful to have the outstanding support of so many dedicated, wonderful volunteers who help us make a real difference to the lives of people in Glasgow and visitors’ experience of it.
“Our charity’s mission is to enhance health and wellbeing through culture and sport, and our volunteers play a major part in helping us to do that. We are indebted to every one of our volunteers for their assistance, commitment and enthusiasm. They are a real credit to our city. Their invaluable support helps Glasgow Life achieve all that it does across its services, programmes and events to benefit our city and communities. During National Volunteers Week, we want to ensure they know how much we appreciate all that they do.”
Glasgow Life’s volunteer programme aims to offer diverse opportunities that are rewarding for volunteers of all ages and abilities and from all backgrounds.
Our volunteers’ feedback highlights the fulfilment many feel from having the chance to give something back, and the satisfaction and enjoyment of their roles. They tell us they feel more connected with their communities, have improved physical and mental health, gained confidence, new skills and experience, and also made life-long friends from volunteering.
Anyone who feels they may be able to donate some of their valued time to supporting our charity’s work should visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/volunteer-with-us to find out more about the range of opportunities Glasgow Life offers.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Scottish Doctor Who actor to lead The Woman in Black at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, as it returns to the Theatre Royal Glasgow.
READ MORE
Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow
The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative
Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026
The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.
READ MORE
Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn
Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.
READ MORE
90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls
Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.
READ MORE
Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn
Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORE
Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry
STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
READ MORE
University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse
Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.
READ MORE
Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness
Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow
With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!
READ MORE
A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season
Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi
Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced
Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow
Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.
READ MORE
From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt
Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links