Ken Barker
I’ve been involved with VCS since the 1970s, having associated with the projects based there at the time, such as the Social Education Project and autonomous groups such as Cardiff Claimants Union and U-Print. During a period of unemployment I was a VCS office volunteer and then joined its Management Committee.
Over the years I’ve have brought project management experience, especially in personnel and finance, to the Committee from my long term employment with South Riverside Community Development Centre.
The emphasis on providing an open “volunteer bureau” and social services’ adjunct activities – such as work camps, decorating, gardening and fuel schemes – has given way to more diversity in volunteer engagement but the important ethos that I subscribe to has continued to be enabling and empowering volunteers who chose to volunteer rather than are compelled to.
