A family affair

Two West Lothian families are celebrating Volunteers’ Week by showing how giving back can become a shared experience across generations.

Mother-and-daughter duos Julianna and Coady, and Teresa and Lucy, are all volunteers with CoWL, supporting unpaid carers and disabled people in their community.

For Coady, volunteering is deeply personal.

“I’ve been a volunteer for over a decade now, but this is my first year with COWL, who have supported me as a parent carer over the years,” she said. “I get a lot out of being a volunteer and I’m really happy to have my mum join the team too.”

Her mum, Julianna, was inspired to give back after receiving support herself.

“I was looking for a way to give back after a difficult period in my life,” she said. After seeing a COWL post, she began offering monthly seated massage sessions for carers. “The staff are so lovely — and I get to meet some lovely people.”

For Teresa and Lucy, volunteering has also been a shared journey. Lucy joined in 2023 as a Young Carers volunteer and soon encouraged her mum to get involved.

“It’s been a really great experience for both of us,” they said. “It’s rewarding to support unpaid carers while being part of an organisation that values its volunteers.”

Although they volunteer in different ways, they enjoy the chance to share the experience. “It’s been nice to be involved together, and attending some events side by side has made it even more special.”

Their stories highlight the impact of volunteering, bringing benefits not only to the community, but to families too.