Blogpost

SERIES: Our employees are as diverse as their volunteer activities

The Volunteers at Express program gives employees the opportunity to share their own passion projects with others.

"Connecting People and Improving Lives" is an important part of DHL Express' mission statement, and volunteering is an essential part of the Express culture. Volunteers at Express is a project in which colleagues from all over the world who work at DHL Express can make their volunteer work visible to all employees. It doesn't matter whether they help out at charitable organizations, support projects and initiatives or use their passion to help others and pass it on to them. In 2023, 78,866 hours were logged in this way.

Volunteering in the water

There are many employees at the DHL hub in Leipzig who dedicate their free time to the well-being of others - Rauni is one of them. She has been working at the LEJ hub since 2021 and, as an aviation security screener, works with her colleagues at the security check to ensure that only permitted items are brought into the aviation security area.

The topic of security also plays a major role in her free time: she is a volunteer at the German Life Saving Association (DLRG). She provides support in a wide range of areas - whether as a lifeguard, paramedic or boat driver.

Always a watchful eye: Rauni during a swimming class

It all started 29 years ago. "My daughter was five years old at the time and she was supposed to learn to swim. After the first course wasn't enough, I took her on a second one. I then got talking to other parents and the children were so motivated that a small competitive group was formed. That's how it gradually developed,” says Rauni.

She is now active in the DLRG's swimming training program herself. She teaches two courses a week with children training for the gold, silver and bronze swimming badges. In some cases, she teaches children and young people for years. Seeing the development of her protégés is always particularly rewarding for her.

She remembers one story in particular: "I once took over a child from a beginners' swimming course who had problems with posture when swimming and tended to swim standing up - almost like a seahorse. I looked after the child for many years and, over time, her posture improved. In the end, I received a small trophy with the inscription 'dearest swimming coach in the world' as a thank you."

Valuable experiences

In one situation or another, however, things can become a little more challenging: "Every child has their own character. And of course there are also days when a child is not in such a good mood. Then you have to be sensitive and respond to the children. That's not always easy."

Rauni was able to gain a lot of experience through her volunteer work at the DLRG and has gained a lot of self-confidence as a result: "I can only recommend everyone to try out different volunteer positions. There are so many different opportunities, whether in sport or in a retirement home, for example. There's definitely something that suits you."

Author: Amelie Heinz
Published: November 2024