Haydn Corrodus

Why do you volunteer?

I’m a big believer in “if you can help, help”. Volunteering is something I find incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. So I’m always happy to volunteer in spaces where I can add value, meet great people, or try out new experiences. For example, I recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and had an incredible morning helping build affordable homes and learning more about their work.

It’s also helped me expand my network. For instance, I am currently serving as a mentor for the MA’s mentoring programme. I have had the pleasure of working with an incredible museum curator, and mentoring them has allowed me to learn more about the role museum curators play in organisations. As a marketer, I’ve found it fascinating and rewarding; my mentee is great.

What are the benefits of volunteering for you?

I touched on this a little above, but ultimately, it really helped me connect with and work with organisations or on projects that I might not have otherwise been able to do. I’ve recently moved to a new city, and volunteering has played a big part in helping me learn more about the city, its people, and what makes the place tick. Volunteering can also put you in rooms with people that you may not have otherwise been able to connect with in a normal work experience.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering over and above a paid role?

In today’s economic climate, I don’t know if advising someone to forgo payment is really my place. However, what I will say is that if you do get the chance to volunteer, it’s often rewarding in unexpected ways.

It often motivates me to pursue my own ambitions and goals. Plenty of studies also discuss the positive psychological impact that helping others can have on a person and, again, as touched on above, the network you can build through it.

I have been lucky enough to be presented with many paid opportunities through volunteering or via people I’ve met on the journey with whom I’ve kept in touch. In fact, thinking about it now, I actually met one of my best friends on a music programme we both were helping out with back in our college days.

Haydn is a consultant and marketer, you can find him on his website or LinkedIn