Celebrating Volunteers Week: An Interview with a Dedicated Letter Writer

Volunteers Week is a special time for us to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of volunteers who give their time, skills, and compassion to support our cause. This week, we are delighted to shine a spotlight on Gilly, one of our dedicated letter writers. Through her words and consistent dedication, Gilly has made a significant impact on the lives of those she writes to.

What inspired you to become a volunteer for PFS?

I was already volunteering with a charity in Dundee that helps people who are experiencing homelessness and who battle with addictions to find hope and freedom in Christ. Some of the people we served had served their own time in prison and it was their stories that led me to want to find out more. Some of them spoke positively about their experiences while others were very bitter, and we heard about some who had met Christ because of the work of the chaplains who visited them. At about the same time, I read ‘And You Visited Me’ by Betty McKay and Louise Purvis and I realised that Prison Fellowship was happening in prisons throughout Scotland.

Could you share a memorable experience or story from your time volunteering with us?"I have found the annual conferences really encouraging. When we come to the conferences, we hear from so many people who have had their lives turned around because someone has taken the time to pray for and with them and has trusted that God can transform lives.

I remember John Nonhebel saying that when people tell him that it’s great that he is taking God into the prisons, his answer is, ‘God is already there’. God is already at work, and we may have the privilege of being used by God.

At one of the conferences, we had to go around and pray in groups for specific things that were happening in prisons. This was a turning point for me because I had never prayed audibly in a group before. I’m not confident when speaking out but I realised that no one is analysing your prayer and that, even if they were, it is God that I’m talking to.

How has volunteering impacted you personally and what lessons have you learned along the way?

"Volunteering in the various roles I do has given me the courage to speak to people who, in the past, I might have avoided. This is not because I think I’m better, but because, through the grace of God, I have never been in some of the situations I see and have never really known what I can say that might encourage those who we serve. I have felt that we have nothing in common and I might be seen as patronising. I now realise that these are people with names and families who appreciate that someone is interested and making time for them.

I have learned an awful lot from people that I have seen who have been saved while in prison. These truly are lives transformed and, though there might still be temptations, the people I have met have had such an experience of God’s love and grace that they want to share this with everyone in a way that I struggle to do.

What has surprised you about volunteering with Prison Fellowship?

I probably didn’t appreciate the dedication of so many volunteers. The part I play in ‘A Time to Write’ is very small but this role is given every bit as much respect as other volunteering roles. I feel that the more I become involved, the more I will appreciate that PFS will become like a supportive church family. Prison Fellowship is not something to take on lightly – the people involved are dedicated to praying for specific individuals, particular prisons, programmes that are running because they really believe in the power of prayer. Volunteers aren’t there because it will look good on their CVs; they are there because they want to bring souls to Christ and see lives transformed.

How have you been challenged?

I found that things were going well with the first person that I wrote to. The person appreciated that I prayed for her, and shared encouraging verses and we got to the stage where she said that she had signed up to go to Bible Study in prison. Suddenly she didn’t want to hear from me anymore and I had to let that go.

I find it hard to keep writing when nothing comes back because it is more difficult to find new things to say. Very long letters can also be a challenge!!

In your opinion, what is the significance of volunteer work in creating positive change in the community?

I hope that others see that what we do is positive. There is a lot of bitterness towards people who are in prison, especially where people have been personally impacted. That will never go away entirely but I hope and pray that others come to know Christ as Saviour as we try to show the love that He would show. I have never been inside a prison but there has to be an impact when people go in and pray. I would hope this would change the lives of the prisoners, and all those working with them, as well as the volunteers who visit. We need to be changed too and it is my hope that people see that we go in as equals and not as something better. We recognise our need for a Saviour because we know how badly we have sinned. I hope that this is what is seen and through this others recognize their need for a Saviour.

What message or advice would you like to convey to others who may be considering volunteering?

‘I can do all things through Him who gives me strength’. Don’t try to do this in your own strength or for your own glory! Do it in the power of the Spirit and give the glory to God.

Gilly’s experiences and insights highlight the profound impact that volunteering can have, not only on those we serve but also on the volunteers themselves. As we celebrate Volunteers Week, we are deeply grateful for volunteers like Gilly, whose commitment and compassion bring hope and transformation to many lives. If you feel inspired by Gilly’s story and are considering volunteering, remember that even the smallest act of service can make a big difference.

Join us in celebrating Volunteers Week by acknowledging and appreciating the incredible efforts of all our volunteers. Their dedication and love are the heart of our mission, and together, we continue to bring light and hope to those in need. Thank you, Gilly, and thank you to all our volunteers for your unwavering commitment and service!