Hosts: Chris Wade & Matthew Cobble

Guest: Victoria McCormack, Grow Remote (Ireland)

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode, Chris and Matthew are joined by the incredible Victoria McCormack from Grow Remote in Ireland. Grow Remote is a pioneering organisation dedicated to fostering vibrant communities of remote workers, not just across Ireland but beyond borders. We dive deep into how the rise of remote work is breathing new life into small communities, creating deeper bonds, and enhancing community cohesion in powerful and unexpected ways.

Victoria shares invaluable insights into how charities and community groups can better leverage the immense potential of remote workers, offering practical strategies for engaging and empowering these skilled individuals. We explore innovative approaches to volunteer recognition and reward, moving beyond traditional methods to truly value contributions. A key takeaway from our conversation is Victoria's compelling perspective on initiating volunteering by first identifying challenges, rather than immediately presenting solutions, and the transformative power of bringing local people together around shared problems. We also delve into the critical importance of cultivating opportunities for leadership that aren't tied to formal positions or titles, recognising that leadership can be fluid and fleeting, yet incredibly impactful.

Key Discussion Points:

• Remote Workers as Community Catalysts: How the influx of remote workers can revitalise local economies, bring diverse skills, and foster a renewed sense of belonging in smaller towns and villages.
• Strengthening Community Cohesion: Exploring the tangible ways remote workers contribute to the social fabric and create stronger, more connected local communities.
• Charities & Remote Talent: Practical advice for charities on effectively engaging remote volunteers, understanding their unique skills, and integrating them into impactful initiatives.
• Rethinking Volunteer Recognition: Innovative and meaningful ways to reward and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers, moving beyond traditional methods.
• The "Challenge-First" Volunteering Mindset: Victoria's powerful philosophy on identifying community challenges as the starting point for volunteering, encouraging organic, problem-driven solutions.
• The Power of Convening: The importance of bringing local people together to discuss shared challenges, fostering collective problem-solving and action.
• Fluid Leadership: How to create opportunities for leadership within communities that are not bound by formal titles or positions, recognising the dynamic and often temporary nature of impactful leadership.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Grow Remote: Learn more about their mission and initiatives at www.growremote.ie
• Support Chris and Matt's work: If you've enjoyed this episode and want to support the Time for Impact podcast, you can buy Chris a coffee at coff.ee/chriswadetfi
• Time for Impact Consultancy: For all your volunteering strategy and impact measurement needs, visit www.timeforimpact.co.uk

Listen Now:

The Time for Impact Podcast is available on all the usual platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.