Max Heughan started volunteering with Newton Stewart Initiative when he was 11 years old. Below is his account of volunteering and what he has learnt on his volunteering journey.
I started volunteering with Newton Stewart Initiative (NSI) when I was 11 years old, I am now 15. I struggle to remember why I started to volunteer, as NSI was my first volunteering opportunity, I can remember my first event like it was yesterday and everyone was so supportive of a young person wanting to come onboard, it encouraged me to dive right in. Since then, I continued to volunteer at every opportunity I could, such as carless boot sales and other events, that young people would find incredibly boring however I found them fun, and I loved doing it.
I have said this multiple times when speaking to different partners and organisations I have gotten so much from volunteering, with so many different organisations. I learned how to respect people, how to balance my time with volunteering, school and my social life and most importantly I learned how to be a team player, and being able to contribute to just a minute part of my local community filled me with joy.
I have volunteered at many different organisations, however my most prominent one would be with the council’s Youth Work service. From a very young age, I have always had a passion for helping young people and working alongside them, I have been in youth groups with people with Additional Support Needs, Care Experienced young people and young people two times older than me. I have always been able to listen to young people’s issues and concerns and be there for the young people in times of crisis for them. I am also in my second term for Youth Council, working alongside young people and voicing their concerns back to the decision makers. I also have volunteered at Youth Beatz, for the past 3 years in different roles such as running the tuck shop, welcoming festival goers at the main gates, doing social media having some posts being used for official media and so much more!
I have enjoyed being able to meet new people, and become a well known face within my community and people know they can come to me to call the craic or just to say hello, and that’s what I enjoy most! I haven’t really found any challenges as of yet, however sometimes not being able to say no! Which is a good and a bad thing.
Winning Young Person of the Year at Awarding Wigtownshire back in 2023 and winning Young Volunteer at DG Youth Awards 2025 was a highlight and it was nice to receive them, it is lovely to know your work is noticed and appreciated!