'If you would like to walk with us, we'd like to keep walking with you': Volunteers celebrated at graduation ceremony
30 April 2025
An afternoon of celebration and storytelling was enjoyed in Glasgow last month when we held our annual Recovery Volunteer Graduation.
The ceremony celebrates those who have come through our recovery services and are now offering volunteering support to current service users.
This year’s event saw several volunteers receive their certificates and share their inspiring stories.
The afternoon was opened by CrossReach CEO Viv Dickenson who spoke about the impact volunteers had on the organisation.
She said: “This is a great event in the CrossReach calendar.
“I hope that this has been a positive journey for you. It's been probably a hard journey for many of you, and it's taken guts and you're here now.
“You're on your own journey of recovery and many of you are now going on to give something of yourselves, your experience, your time, your expertise, to others who are just beginning that journey.
“It's a remarkable and generous thing and it adds incredible value both to the organisation but also offers something to you as an individual.”
Viv was followed by Mike Cantlay who is chair of the CrossReach Board.
Dr Cantlay said: “The very fact that so many people want to volunteer in some way, and to do that for CrossReach is something that I think is really important to recognise today of all days.
“Our job is to serve people, whoever they are, whatever their circumstances. If there is something we can do to help, that's what we're here to do. It is, in a sense, the second commandment. The first commandment is to worship, and the second commandment is to love thy neighbour.
“And basically, in short, what CrossReach is about is that second commandment, loving that neighbour and being able to provide something special if we can
“So I'd like to congratulate you this morning, but I'd also like to thank you for the time that you put in to support CrossReach.
“And whatever you do, if you continue to provide volunteer services for CrossReach, or whatever you do in life, all I can ask you to do is to continue to spread the love.”
Following Dr Cantlay's comments, we then heard from the volunteers themselves who all came up to receive their awards.
Here is what they had to say.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity, encouragement and hope I’ve been given. Volunteers and staff have given me lots of hope. I am at my best when I am helping others and I hope to do that.”
“I am just really grateful for the staff and their ability to provide a positive experience. Staff have always got time and I am really grateful.”
“I’d just like to thank CrossReach for all their ongoing support.”
“CrossReach have helped me with a lot of things even simple things like pushing through fear. Thanks for everything that you have done for me, I realty appreciate it.”
“It’s been a bit of a journey for me over the last 18 months. Through faith from CrossReach it’s given me a lot of confidence to get back to where I was. So to the people I do know, and the ones I have met today, I’d like to say thank you all for being here.”
Below are some further quotes from attendees.
“I just want to express my gratitude for CrossReach. I am just eager to get involved and do anything I can to serve the organisation that’s served me unconditionally for the last nine months.”
“I’d like to thank CrossReach for everything they’ve done for me. I’ve got a lot to thank Rainbow [House] for, for getting me to where I am today. I want to also say thanks to my family for being here with me today and for all the support.”
“I want to thank CrossReach. Rainbow House is my place, it is my journey. They showed me love, care and compassion. If It wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be on the journey I am with my daughter just now.”
The afternoon was concluded by Vic Walker, director of Adult Care Services at CrossReach, who thanked all the graduates for their hard work.
He concluded: “Thank you to all that have come up to speak today, I know that that hasn’t been easy. There is a lot of love on display in the room today so thank you for contributing to that.
“I really loved that remark from Claire, that you’re at your best when you’re helping others. That’s true for us all. I want to encourage you all, let’s all be at our best helping others.
“I want to pay tribute and thanks to the staff too who are there in the long hours and I hope there are many in this room who will form part of that future staff team.
“If you would like to walk with us, we’d like to keep walking with you.”
