Celebrating the Return of Our Volunteer Reserves
At the Scottish Tech Army (STA), we know that volunteering is a journey, not just a one-time commitment. People step in, contribute their skills, take a break when they need to, and often return with renewed energy and fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate Volunteer Returners Week, shining a light on some of the tremendous volunteers who’ve come back to STA after some time away. Their stories reflect the flexibility, purpose, and sense of community that define our organisation.
The Importance of Volunteer Returners
Our volunteer reserves - those who return after a break - play a critical role in the ongoing success of the STA. Whether it’s after a few months or a couple of years, these returners come back with a wealth of new skills, ideas, and fresh motivation. There’s always space for you at STA, no matter where you are in your professional or personal journey.
The STA’s flexibility allows volunteers to participate on their terms, jumping back in when they’re ready. For many, returning to STA is an opportunity to reconnect with the tech community, work on meaningful projects, and make a real difference once again.
Paul’s Story: Finding Flexibility and Purpose
One of our returning volunteers, Paul Coffield, a UX design consultant, has been with the STA on and off throughout the lifetime of the STA. Diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year, Paul’s return was shaped by his need to manage his time and energy more carefully. He appreciated the STA’s flexibility, allowing him to contribute when he was ready, without overwhelming commitments:
"My time with the STA has allowed me to work to that rhythm... I can step back in and pick something up... and I can just as easily step back from things."
For Paul, the STA offers a unique balance of structure and freedom. He has mostly been working on solo projects due to his broad skillset, giving him the ability to manage his time and set his own expectations with clients. He also has had opportunities to collaborate with teams when larger projects come along.
One of the most notable projects was with DigiInventors, The DigiInventors Challenge is an annual competition, organised by the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, for teams of school-age students to develop ideas to encourage young people to keep active and stay healthy and happy now and in the future. In 2021 the winning entry from Marr College was for an app called You Wish We Assist, inspired by a friend of the team members who has mental health challenges and finds it difficult to open up to discuss them, leaving her frustrated and isolated, issues that were further exacerbated by COVID-related lockdowns. Paul was working with the team to develop a wireframe prototype of the app that could help them take their idea to the next stage.
He highlights how the STA’s agile methodology ensures there are always smaller tasks for volunteers to take on, making it easier to balance work, life, and volunteering.
"Even if I can only do a small piece, there’s still the chance to do something worthwhile."
Alan’s Story: Reconnecting with the Tech Community
Alan Ramsey, a software engineer for a veterinary biotech startup, first joined STA as a way to gain real-world experience when he was starting out in the tech industry after completing a cross-skilling course at CodeClan. After stepping away to focus on his career, Alan recently returned to the STA, eager to reconnect with the tech community and take on more charity support projects:
"In my current role, I'm very isolated within the tech industry... so coming back and working on a project within the STA also gives me that."
Alan’s return to the STA was motivated by his desire to make a positive impact through work to support charities and to collaborate with others in the tech community. He found the STA’s flexible structure key to balancing his job and volunteering commitments. He was able to jump back into projects easily and continue to contribute in meaningful ways.
Alan reflects on one of his most rewarding STA experiences – leading a team of 15 volunteers to create a digital advent calendar for the STA itself just before Christmas:
"We produced that within a week from an amazing team of 15. It was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had with the STA."
Robin’s Story: Mentoring and Returning to Give Back
Robin Williamson, Global Process Owner for Assessment at International Baccalaureate, first joined the Scottish Tech Army at the very beginning (during the COVID-19 pandemic). He was deeply involved in several early projects, collaborating closely with key figures like Alistair Forbes, Kirsty McIntosh and Andrew Rendle, and assisting voluntary organisations such as VSA in Aberdeen during a time of immense need. As life progressed and his career evolved, Robin took a step back from the STA, but he remained connected through the community he had built.
Now, Robin is returning to the STA with a new purpose - mentoring. As a seasoned business analyst and long-time volunteer, Robin is guiding others as they engage with STA, particularly Duncan Black, who has been his mentee for a few years. Robin's experience has allowed him to channel his expertise into helping others grow and develop within the tech sector. For Robin, this role isn’t just about passing on knowledge; it’s a mutually beneficial relationship where both mentor and mentee learn from each other.
Reflecting on his return, Robin emphasises how rewarding it has been to see how the STA has grown and changed over time. The sense of camaraderie, the shared goal of solving real-world problems, and the community spirit have all remained strong. While the STA doesn’t officially pair mentors and mentees, volunteers are encouraged to build connections with others who share their passion for learning and contributing. Robin’s mentoring journey highlights the support and collaboration that naturally happens within the STA community.
"Mentoring builds confidence and ensures volunteers get the most out of their time," Robin says. "It's great to see how mentees, like Duncan, channel their enthusiasm into meaningful projects. The STA has provided me with an opportunity to give back, while also staying connected with a community that’s been instrumental in my own professional growth."
Robin’s return to the STA exemplifies the deep connections that can be formed, where volunteers can step away and come back with the full support of the community behind them.
Why Do Volunteers Come Back?
Paul, Alan and Robin’s experiences reveal three key reasons why volunteers return to STA:
Flexibility of Participation and Time Commitment: Life can be unpredictable, and the STA is structured to accommodate that. Our flexible approach allows volunteers to step in and out as their time permits, giving them the freedom to contribute without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you can dedicate a few hours or take on a larger project, the STA fits around your availability, making it easy to re-engage when you're ready.
Purposeful Work: Volunteers return because STA projects provide opportunities to make a real impact. Whether it's working on a small task or a larger initiative, volunteers find meaning in the work they do. Knowing that their contributions help communities and charities keep many coming back, eager to take on new and fulfilling challenges.
Connection to the Community: For many, the STA is more than just a platform for volunteering – it’s a supportive and collaborative community. This gives you the chance to reconnect with others in the tech industry, build relationships, and share experiences. Being part of a team that shares a common goal of giving back creates a strong sense of belonging, and many return to rekindle those connections.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re new to volunteering or a past volunteer thinking about returning, it’s really simple ways to do it:
For New Volunteers: If you’re new to the Scottish Tech Army and eager to make a difference, the first step is to sign up through our website. The website provides information on how to get started, including details about the variety of projects. Signing up on the website ensures you receive all the necessary resources and support to begin your volunteering journey with us.
For Returning Volunteers: If you’ve volunteered with us before, we’d love to welcome you back! The easiest way to jump back in is by re-engaging in our Slack community and by exploring available projects through the STA volunteering app. The app allows you to browse ongoing projects, see where your skills are needed, and express interest in the ones that resonate with you.
Join us today and be part of a community that values your time, skills, and passion for making a positive impact.
Written by: Charlotte Canham
