Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2nd-8th June 2025
GVVT salutes its most important asset – its people. Without you, nothing works.
As the nation marks Volunteers’ Week, we celebrate the army of men and women who freely give time, literally to keep the wheels turning.
From the owners who make vehicles available for events to the blue high viz-clad member staffing ticket desk or patrolling the shed, from the duty keyholder who opens the gates in the morning to the person greeting visitors to the museum display, the Trust owes a huge debt of gratitude.
Membership grows steadily, with more than 860 on GVVT’s books. Lorraine O’Conaill joined only this year and already has volunteered at Super Sundays, garage visits and Outreach events.
Her path to Bridgeton was paved by a person celebrated by the Trust, Isa Dorman, at 104 the oldest living former employee of Glasgow Corporation Transport.
Lorraine explained: “Isa, my grandmother, was a clippie at Knightswood Garage, so I have Corpy pedigree. I contacted GVVT two years ago, asking for a bus to attend gran’s 102nd birthday celebration, and was delighted when the Wee L turned up to take her and the family a drive.
“A couple of events at the garage followed and I was so impressed, I joined. I experienced volunteering when I lived in Dublin and found it very rewarding. GVVT is shaping up similarly, I’ve worked on the tills in the café and shop and I’m looking forward to the next guarding course because I like being out among visitors.
“I have experience of stock control and auditing which I’d love to put to work in the archive.”
GVVT chairman Steven Booth said: “I value the contribution members make by volunteering time to the running of the Trust and its activities. This benefits our membership, visitors and everyone we interact with while we are out and about. It has also allowed us to develop and expand into activities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.
“Volunteering is one of the most rewarding aspects of being involved at GVVT. Of course, it’s not always easy. At times it can be hard work requiring a big team effort. Lots of jobs can be unglamourous but through the effort and good humour of members it becomes a highly social experience. It’s an opportunity to put your time and skills to good use while making friends.
“I thank and celebrate every member who volunteers time to the Trust. You are the lifeblood – we simply couldn’t do what we do without you.”
Photos above of GVVT volunteers “at work” by Gavin Macqueen Photography.
