How Chris Took Training out of the Classroom with Skilled-Volunteering | Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2021

Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGOs partners from 2020 to 2022. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2021!

blog cover 04

Meet Chris!

Chris is currently an undergraduate student studying at the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a degree in Economics and Data Science. 

Prior to joining the Time Auction community, he was already a frequent volunteer from preparing meal boxes for Food Angel, to participating in service trips across Cambodia, the Philippines and China. With these fruitful experiences, his passion for volunteerism continued to grow, and he decided to step it up a notch with skilled volunteering!

Chris recalls the difficulties he previously encountered when looking for volunteering opportunities. “It was challenging for me because there were no platforms that match volunteer projects with volunteers’ skills.” He also felt like a lot of the volunteer work he came across, were projects on a one-off basis, which was less appealing to him. Time Auction’s accessible opportunities resonated with him, especially since they allowed “volunteers to develop a deeper connection with the organizations.” 

“Time Auction has made volunteering opportunities very accessible! What I love most about the projects is that they are usually not on a one-off basis, which allows volunteers to develop a deeper connection with the organizations.”

Looking for a Sense of Purpose Amid the Pandemic

The pandemic has kept a lot of us at home for longer than anyone could’ve expected, and with all that extra time indoors, it’s easy to feel a little aimless. “You know, it’s really hard to beat procrastination when taking online lectures at home all day. Then I thought, why don’t I spend the time helping others and supporting a good cause instead?” Volunteering remotely is a great way to donate time to a cause that matters, making a difference from the comfort of one’s own home. 

Skilled-Volunteering Project for the First Time

With his interest in environment economics and sustainability, along with the time available, Chris was successfully matched with BLOOM Association Hong Kong as a Sustainable Seafood Research Assistant, carrying out research on seafood restaurants in Hong Kong.

918Znv3Xp5ii 7QhQSoN EDYswpeBFmYuamQ2ky wAbIwinzSutWSXoUc9857XGdXgf t T

Chris’s responsibility was to help with building a database of restaurants, that serve sustainable seafood, to give conscious consumers the option to eat sustainably. 

Not only did examine the menus of the restaurants online, he also visited several of them, taking the time to talk in-person with the staff. Over the course of 4 months, their team ultimately researched 300 seafood restaurants in Hong Kong!

Take a look at the sustainable seafood database here: https://www.chooserighttoday.org/where-to-eat/

“Fun fact: I found out about a local sustainable source for flathead mullet in HK!”

Chris’s biggest takeaway from skilled-volunteering, is that it takes training out of the classroom. It gives individuals hands-on experience, and creates opportunities to sharpen existing skills and learn best practices. 

Through this first-time experience of channeling his passions into a volunteer project, he’s found that the more involved he gets, the greater the sense of satisfaction he receives. 

As most of the work is done remotely, the schedule is flexible and can be set according to what suits him best. “It’s the perfect way to get the most out of the time stuck at home!”

Congratulations on Chris’s well deserved recognition!

Chris was extremely helpful and was willing to go the extra mile for us. He also completes his tasks on time and managed to collect lots of data for us!

— Kathleen Ho, BLOOM Association Hong Kong

“I’m very honored to be selected!” Chris believes that in these trying times, it’s very easy to feel a little unmotivated. Therefore, it’s very important to help each other out during the pandemic- “the organizations really do appreciate your work!”

Lastly, Chris encourages people to volunteer their skills to a cause they are passionate about. “Volunteering may just take you a few hours every week, but it creates a lasting impact for the community. If you can find a cause that you’re passionate about, contributing a few hours doesn't even seem enough!” He even encourages people to bring your friends or family to volunteer with, “it’s like a fun group activity too!”

With the abundance of remote skilled-volunteering projects available, it is easier than ever to fit volunteer work into your schedule. 

Check out more of these opportunities here! https://timeauction.org/projects


Thank you so much to Chris for contributing 50 volunteer hours to BLOOM Association Hong Kong and more to come!

To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGOs partners, head over to Time Auction website.

Interviewed & written by Leo Chick | Edited by Emma Lascelles

Updated on 10 November, 2021
Share on

Volunteer Your Skills for Worthy Causes

Ever thought you could volunteer with your skills?

Discover volunteer projects where you can use your skills to support causes – all while building your resume, gaining references and making a difference!
Discover Projects
【2024義工活動】點樣加入義工行列?5大義工服務種類推介
你對「做義工」嘅認識有幾多?好多人都未必熟悉除咗賣旗籌款同探訪老人院之外,仲有咩其他類型嘅義工服務。究竟坊間有邊啲做義工嘅途徑,可以搵到適合自己嘅義工機會呢? 其實香港大大小小嘅慈善團體或非牟利機構  (NGO) 都會招募義工,而非牟利機構嘅義工服務範疇亦非常多元化,包括技能義工 (Skilled-volunteers),善用義工嘅個人技能同專長服務社會。你可以根據唔同嘅服務種類,或者按自己嘅喜好、關心嘅社會議題選擇義工機會。以下係5種常見嘅義工服務範疇同機構簡介畀你參考: 目錄 (一):動物福利 (二):長者服務 (三):青年發展 (四):環境保護 (五):社區服務 技能義工配對平台推介 常見嘅義工服務範疇(一):動物福利 如果你係狗奴、貓奴,或者鍾意動物,不妨考慮做動物義工!除咗有機會親身接觸毛孩之外,仲可以利用自己嘅一技之長,支援NGO嘅日常運作。雖然根據政府公佈的數據,動物棄養嘅數量有持續下降趨勢,但因近年的移民潮影響,保護動物慈善協會表示棄養寵物個案兩年升近三倍。因此,很多關注動物福利的團體都十分需要義工加入服務行列。 義工服務性質:清潔籠舍、照顧動物、活動推廣等 香港動物基金 Hong Kong Paws Foundation 香港動物基金係一間完全依靠慈善捐款同義工支持嘅動物福祉組織,希望拯救被虐待、遺棄同走失嘅動物。 香港愛護動物協會 SPCA (HK) 香港愛護動物協會係本港首間兼顧動物福利各方面嘅慈善團體,提倡善待動物,同時打擊同防止虐待動物。 Bring Me Home (Suppaw) Bring Me Home (Suppaw) 係一個寵物社交網站,亦係香港首個無償動物領養平台。 嘉道理農場暨植物園 Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden 嘉道理農場暨植物園為需要支持的農民提供農業援助,幫助他們過上獨立嘅生活; 並為公眾提供休閒同教育體驗。  Team for Animals in Lantau South (TAILS) 南大嶼山動物保護隊為有需要的貓狗提供救援、醫療、絕育、養育、庇護、寄養同領養服務,包括那些 流浪、被遺棄、受傷、虐待同忽視既貓狗,大力提倡動物福利,相信教育可以創造有利於香港動物嘅變革。 立即發掘更多! 常見嘅義工服務範疇(二):長者服務 隨著香港長者人口上升,越來越多關注老人家嘅機構都招募緊義工,希望為老友記送上更多關懷。 義工服務性質:家居維修、網頁設計、文字翻譯等 […]
How Mable Channelled Passion Into Positive Change | Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2021
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGOs partners from 2020 to 2022. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2021! Meet Mable! Mable is an experienced graphic designer, […]
How Tay Ling Contributed His Expertise to a Cause Close to His Heart | Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2021
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGOs partners from 2020 to 2022. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2021! Meet Tay Ling! Tay Ling is Vice President […]
Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary | Bryan Fok, Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2022
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners from 2020 to 2022. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2022! Meet Bryan Practising law has always been a […]
【想為環保出一分力?】Time Auction搵到符合你專長嘅義工服務
隨住社會高速發展,香港嘅環保問題越來越備受關注,當中垃圾處理等嘅問題其實可以透過資源重新分配同減少浪費而得到解決,除咗政策以外,亦非常需要大力推廣同公眾參與,例如負責任消費 (Responsible consumption)、分類回收 (Recycling) 等低碳生活 (Low-carbon living)。  近期流行嘅技能義工 (Skilled volunteers) 就係一個為環保出一分力嘅好機會,無論你係學生定係打工仔,都可以利用自己嘅專長同興趣回饋社會。以下係本港一啲與環境 (Environment) 相關嘅非牟利機構 (NGO),俾你了解一下佢哋嘅服務同理念: Redress Redress 一直致力教育大眾同時裝業界,減少時裝界對環境造成嘅負面影響。機構透過舉辦各項活動,例如可持續發展時裝設計比賽同衣物回收,鼓勵大眾同各機構支持環保時尚。 無塑海洋 Plastic Free Seas 無塑海洋旨在通過針對學校、企業團體嘅教育同活動,改變當今社會大眾對塑膠嘅睇法同使用方式。 再皂福 Soap Cycling 再皂福係亞洲首間肥皂回收機構,收集本來將被棄置但狀況仍然良好嘅肥皂同浴室用品,經分類處理後再轉贈至有需要人士,以解決社會健康及衞生方面嘅需要,並提供就業機會同青年培訓。 香港綠色希望 Green Hope Hong Kong 香港綠色希望藉著回收同教育,包括山野清潔、回收街站、零廢外賣推廣等,以緩解決氣候暖化、能源危機等問題,並為環保出一分力。 綠色時刻 Green Hour 綠色時刻旨在推廣並讓基層市民共同參與綠色生活。透過舉辦清潔活動,以及食物減廢活動,以提高社會各界對環境保護嘅意識同重視。 以上幾間關注環境保護嘅機構都不時需要技能義工支持運作,如果你都想出一分力,可以考慮以下嘅義工服務: 義工服務(一):研究調查員 (Research Surveyor) 環保同我哋嘅日常生活息息相關,有關機構要定期關注事態發展而安排相應嘅研究同社區計劃,當中包括市民生活同消費習慣嘅調查。以可持續海鮮 (sustainable seafood) 為例,環保機構需要義工幫手紀錄同調查超級市場出售嘅海鮮來源種類比例,從而了解市民同企業對可持續海鮮嘅認識和關注,而調查結果將有助為機構嘅公眾教育計劃訂立方向。 【立即申請】 義工服務(二):回收調查員 (Recycling Surveyor) 廢物回收 (recycling) 喺香港已經推行多年,但成效仍然未如理想。為咗更有效地了解各地區嘅回收情況,有啲環保組織會招募義工協助調查公共回收點同埋垃圾箱嘅分佈同使用情況,以助改善香港嘅垃圾問題。 【立即申請】 義工服務(三):公共關係顧問 (PR Advisor) […]
How Charlie Generously Offered His Tech-Experience As a Volunteer? | Time Auction Impact Highlights
Meet Charlie! Charlie is the Technology Consultant at one of the most well-known tech companies. He has been actively involved in software and product development projects as a volunteer since university and he is determined to use his skills to generate further impact for the world! Where To Find Volunteering Opportunities For A Tech-Fresh Graduate? […]
【想支持青年發展?】Time Auction搵到符合你專長嘅義工服務
青少年係社會嘅未來棟樑,除咗學習之外,唔少非牟利機構(NGO)都透過各式各樣嘅計劃同活動,為青年人創造與社區連結嘅機會,而無論你係學生定係打工仔,都可以成為技能義工(Skilled-volunteers)提供義工服務,利用自己嘅專長同興趣支持青年發展(Youth Development)。以下係本港一啲與青年發展相關嘅NGO,俾你了解一下佢哋嘅服務同理念: Books and Beyond Reading Club Books & Beyond Reading Club 推行趣味英語教育,為基層學生提供免費嘅創新嘅英語學習計劃,培養學生嘅英文閱讀同寫作興趣,並發展小朋友嘅社交情感技能,提升佢哋嘅自信心同自我認同感。 青年成就香港部 Junior Achievement Hong Kong 青年成就香港部為香港學生提供「其他學習經歷」(OLE)嘅課程,致力啟發年青人為未來就業同創業做好準備。 童協基金會 Kids4Kids 童協基金會透過塑造嶄新嘅學習方式,激勵年輕人合作,並與社區連結,致力培養小孩及年輕人成為創變者。 維樂天 Variety 維樂天與唔同嘅夥伴、社區同專家合作,為有需要的兒童及青年提供機會,給予支援,並協助建立活躍社群,以助他們盡展潛能。 粵講粵叻 CantoGather 粵講粵叻希望透過教導非華裔嘅小朋友廣東話同中文,令佢地可以更易融入社區,提升佢地喺社會向上流嘅機會,並且推動香港人同少數族裔之間嘅文化交流,促進香港嘅種族共融。 呢類型關注青年發展嘅機構都不時需要技能義工支持運作,如果你都想出一分力,可以考慮以下嘅義工服務: 義工服務(一):興趣班導師 / 助理(Interest Class Facilitator) 非牟利組織通常缺乏資源同人手,所以需要義工嘅支持去舉辦各類型嘅活動去幫助佢地嘅受眾,例如課後興趣班。義工可以根據自己嘅興趣或長處(如音樂、藝術、手工藝、體育、棋類遊戲等)去訂立興趣班嘅主題,並與其他職員或義工商討課堂細節,然後喺活動當日教授學生同管理課堂。 呢類技能義工機會唔單止鼓勵學生嘗試新事物,發掘佢哋嘅潛能;義工亦可以將自己嘅專長同興趣分享俾學生,俾佢哋喺放學後放鬆一下,減低學習壓力。 【立即申請】 義工服務(二):友師(Mentor) 友師計劃係一種相對長期嘅義工服務,義工會以哥哥、姐姐嘅角色,喺計劃期內定期與參加者(如中小學生)保持聯絡同見面(約一個月1-2次左右就可),為佢哋送上關懷同了解佢哋嘅近況,並分享自己嘅經驗同心得,以生命影響生命,協助參青少年建立清晰同正面嘅人生觀。如果你鐘意同小朋友或年青人相處,可以加入成為友師義工,陪伴佢哋成長。 【立即申請】 義工服務(三):活動大使(Project Ambassador) 非牟利團體有時會透過體驗式學習(Experiential learning)活動去鼓勵學生正面嘅學習態度,有關活動需要義工去擔任活動大使嘅角色,喺活動期間照顧學生,並觀察同記錄佢哋參與活動嘅情況同各自嘅性格優勢,對培育小朋友成長同發掘潛能非常有幫助。機構會事先提供培訓,教授義工相關技巧。如果你對教育或社會工作(社工 / Social Worker) 職業有興趣,不妨報名參與! 【立即申請】 香港義工配對平台推介 想知更多義工服務選擇同詳情,不妨瀏覽Time Auction技能義工服務配對平台(Skilled-Volunteer Matching Program)!Time Auction喺2014年成立,致力推動義工文化,至今已為本地超過640+ […]
Top