With only one week of the Children’s Panel recruitment campaign to go, current panel member Malcolm McGregor describes his experiences. 

Malcolm, aged 55 from Saltcoats, is married with three children and has been a Children’s Panel member for over 15 years.

He explains, “I heard about the Children’s Panel recruitment campaign on the radio and with my children growing up I had time to volunteer. I was looking for something to do in my local area and felt that I could really help to make a difference to the lives of children living in my community.

“There are great rewards to being a panel member. Not only do you get to see the difference that your help has made to children and the benefits that they can reap through the process but it also helps you to grow as a person. I’ve taken a huge amount of personal benefit from becoming a panel member.

“I’m a taxi driver so my time is flexible but my colleagues and family are very supportive. The panel is also very accommodating of my availability. Sometimes they can ask you to come in at the last minute but you can say no if you are busy.”

“Panel members need to have good listening skills and must work well in a team. We need to work together to come to a decision which puts the child’s best interest first. 

“If you are considering volunteering as a panel member then I would recommend you go along to an open evening and speak to other panel members. They will be able to answer any questions you have and help you to decide whether the Children’s Panel is something you want to be part of.

“There are a lot of benefits personally and professionally for people who become panel members and I would thoroughly recommend it.”

Click here to view online videos and spend a moment in the shoes of the children that the panel helps every day and see how you can become a part of making their lives better by joining the Children’s Panel.