I’m Nicole. I was looking forward to moving to Glasgow from Aberdeen last August. It was because it was a shift from a comparatively small town encrusted by grey walls and mockingly dreary clouds to sunny parks and buildings gilded with gold or red sandstone. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying Aberdeen is depressing or not worth exploring. It does have its own charm, but I was excited for the change of scenery – the scenic walk in Pollok Park, animated shops in Buchanan Street, and the loud chants reverberating from Hampden Stadium. Needless to say, moving comes with unexplored opportunities, as well as the thrill of getting at home with the unfamiliar. 

Coming from the motto: ‘People make Glasgow,’ I thought that the best way to understand Glasgow was to get to know what the people are like. What other way to do that than to volunteer? I genuinely believe that volunteering is a conduit between a stranger and a new city. Organisations centre on improving the city, local communities, or even on specific groups of people. I wanted to understand what life was like for Glaswegians – how they live, their leisures, and heritage. 

I scrolled endlessly through Volunteer Glasgow’s website, and stumbled upon No.1 Befriending’s advertisement on a podcast volunteer role for their heritage project. I am not exaggerating when I say that this was the perfect opportunity for me. Not only will I be able to enter into numerous conversations and learn from people with varied experiences, but also have this opportunity to host a podcast. I’ve been wanting to host a podcast for ages. I am a podcast addict. I firmly believe I listen to more than 20 episodes of different podcasts (that would usually last for an hour) every week. 

I’ve always been fascinated by long form audio platforms like podcasts. It’s less formal than an interview but touches more comprehensively on a topic than a normal conversation. It was great fun. I was able to interview a poet who had the most inspiring and stellar works. He was extremely dedicated to his craft and loyal to his roots. Moreover, I got to interview an affable woman who lived through the Second World War, and was able to learn what life was like for Glaswegian children back then. Being able to ask someone who lived during that time is completely different from just reading or watching something related to it. I adored her optimism – she picked up on how she still tried to have fun and remain positive in the midst of the chaos. 

However, I do have to mention that it was a daunting experience. The type that got my teeth gritty and hands cold. Hosting a podcast was something I’ve never done before. There is this added pressure of knowing that what you say is being recorded. I was awfully nervous because I am pure waffle. People would love to keep me in their houses because they’ll never have to make breakfast for themselves, with the amount of waffles I could cook off my mouth. There was this fear that what I’d say wouldn’t make any sense or that I would stutter. The anxiety did get the best of me at some points, but thanks to the magic of technology, they were edited out from the final draft. The idea that it could be edited helped edge out the anxiety a fair bit because I do know I’m allowed to make mistakes, as opposed to live broadcasting (e.g. radio) where they’re less forgiving. 

It was, overall, a rewarding experience. I had gotten myself out of my comfort zone, to do something I've always wanted to try out. I may not be a podcast expert, but it definitely improved my communication, and interpersonal skills. I would love to host more podcast episodes or start my own in the future. Furthermore, the organisation was extremely welcoming and supportive, especially my volunteer supervisor, Catherine. Before and after every podcast we record she remained very encouraging. Even when I was so convinced that I did awful, she would pat me in the back saying otherwise. It prevents me from hiding behind a corner (after every podcast I genuinely wanted the earth to swallow me whole). 

Unfortunately, the heritage project comes to a close, lights out, mics turned off but the impact it has on people will carry on. It was enjoyable, enlightening, and fulfilling. I loved volunteering for No. 1 Befriending and I wish to continue volunteering for them even if it’s not as a podcast host.

Our Podcast can be found by clicking here.