Three cheers for our volunteers!

WIBF is an organisation that thrives due to the efforts, energies and passions of a fantastic group of volunteers. The work of these volunteers is something that positively impacts the lives of all our members and our industry, both today and in the future. As Volunteers Week 2023 starts we wanted to give three cheers to every WIBF volunteer and to take the time to thank all of the volunteers that give their time. Thank you!

Volunteers aren’t just working hard at WIBF but across the UK in many facets of society and our lives. Over a third of British people give their time to volunteering more than once a month and over 55% of people have given their time in the last year.

As we celebrate the role of volunteers across the UK, WIBF volunteer, Ras Gohil shares with us what volunteering means to her.

Ras Gohil, Banking and Financial Institutions Training Consultant, Moody’s Analytics and WIBF Mentoring Support – London Lead

Volunteering is something that I feel has always been inherent within me. I just see it as helping others and I will always help anybody who needs me. For me one of the best things about volunteering is that I learn so much from the people around me. My volunteering has really impacted who I am as a person, opening my eyes to so many other situations, perspectives and possibilities.

My key focus for volunteering is as a mentor and support for the WIBF mentoring scheme. For me the satisfaction of seeing somebody more onward and upwards in their career can’t be beaten. Working with ambitious and driven women is so reaffirming and a great reminder of how many fantastic women work within our industry.

As a result I am a very passionate mentor and have been for some time. My mentees teach me more than they will ever know. My enthusiasm for mentoring is what drives me to enable the WIBF mentoring scheme to help so many of our members as they develop their careers. We’re always looking for ways to improve and evolve what we offer to members, so watch this space as our current mentoring trials filter through to all members.

The WIBF mentoring programme is available to our access-all-areas members. Our programme gives you access to some of the UK’s most talented financial services’ professionals. Our cross sector scheme enables you to access advice beyond your company, from different perspectives, as well as help you understand new career opportunities. To find out more about finding a mentor click here.  

Mentors are able to access the WIBF programme without becoming a member. Our six-month mentoring programme will match you with a mentee who could benefit from your skills – whether emotional or professional – while offering you the chance to gain insights from the different perspective your mentee has on life, as well as help you develop your management approach. Click here to find out more and to sign up. 

As a volunteer-led organisation WIBF is always keen to have more volunteers onboard. To find out more and sign up to be a volunteer this National Volunteers Week please click here.