Is volunteering the secret to happiness? In this week’s diary, we celebrate the volunteers who make Arisaig the wonderful place it is, reflect on what makes people give their time, and why the future needs you involved too.
Catch these updates every week on our Facebook page or drop us a line at info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk – we’re always happy to hear from people who want to get involved with helping the Trust.
ACT Diary: 10th May 2026
Is volunteering a route to happiness? Apparently so. I heard it on an actual radio, remember them? If you’re under 30, you probably think they belong in a museum! The piece was on BBC radio, so it must be true (or at least it used to be…).
Out of sheer nosiness, I looked up the happiest places in Scotland. Stirling came out top, then Kirkcaldy, with Inverness getting a mention further down the list. Arisaig? Not even a hint – I think we woz robbed. But it did get me thinking, what really motivates people to volunteer?
Everyone I know who gives their time does it for a mix of reasons – community, companionship, and a genuine desire to make our small corner of the world the best it can be. And I think it shows. A thriving Highland village doesn’t just happen, it is built on countless small acts: litter picking, keeping the Land, Sea and Islands Centre open, painting buildings, cutting grass, transforming Bill’s Shed, tidying the orchard, creating signage, shaping marketing, pulling together information for visitors… the list is surprising and longer than you’d think. And the best bit? People do it all for free.
But, isn’t there always a “but”, volunteering can be a double-edged sword, particularly if you stick your head above the parapet and take on a trustee role. Most people are generous, thoughtful and supportive. A small minority, however, prefer not to get involved but are quick to criticise those who do. That can be disheartening. We’re all human and I’ll be honest, it does sting sometimes. What’s frustrating is that criticism rarely comes with solutions, it’s often just noise.
That said, in ACT’s case, this is very much the exception. Lately, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and rightly so. Just take a moment and imagine the village without a new playpark, without a well groomed playing field, without community toilets, without a heritage centre, without affordable housing, with an unkempt shorefront. It would be a very different and by far poorer place.
None of this happens without people stepping forward. Not just once, but again and again. Volunteering isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always thanked as much as it should be, but it matters more than most things we do.
So I say, three cheers for everyone, past and present, who have worked since 2009 to build the Trust to the amazing organisation it is today. Every one of you deserves a pat on the back and should feel valued and happy, no matter how large or small your contribution.
And this isn’t the end of the story. As ACT looks to the future, we genuinely need to hear from you. Our new Business Development Manager, Jenni, will be gathering views on your priorities for the village.
Join the Volunteers WhatsApp group, drop us an email, or go old-skool and have a chat with one of the Directors. Zoe can add you to the list, just email info@arisaigcommunitytrust.org.uk.
So do join me in those three cheers… Ready? Hip Hip Hooray for the volunteers in Arisaig.
Thanks for reading, Anne.