Building connections through volunteering in the GSS
I first volunteered for a Government Statistical Service (GSS) committee just two to three months after joining the Civil Service. At the time, I had only recently settled into my role and saw volunteering as a simple way to use some spare capacity while finding my feet. I couldn’t have predicted how much more it would become.
What started as a small step outside my day job quickly turned into an opportunity to build meaningful connections across departments and develop additional skills through collaboration beyond my immediate team. Volunteering opened doors I didn’t even know existed — shaping my development, broadening my perspective, and helping me see the wider impact I could have beyond my role.
First steps into volunteering
I first came across the opportunity to volunteer for the GSS Conference through a newsletter, and the process couldn’t have been more straightforward. Expressing interest simply involved sending a short email, and from there the communications with the committee chairs and organisers were clear and well structured. I was invited to an introductory conversation that explained what being part of the committee would involve, as well as the focus of each workstream.
Importantly, no prior experience was needed — this was my first time volunteering for something like this, but thanks to the support from the team, it never felt overwhelming. The clarity and encouragement throughout meant I felt well informed and confident before committing to the role.
Alongside this, I also volunteered for the Future Statistician Task and Finish group. This was a much more informal opportunity, centred around a 1.5 hour session with statisticians from across different departments. Working in breakout rooms, it felt more like an open networking and discussion space, which complemented the more structured committee experience well.
What I did as part of the role
I joined the communications workstream for the conference, where my role focused on preparing posts and content to support the event. The aim was to keep the audience engaged and build excitement in the lead‑up, while also making sure attendees had the right information in advance. This included creating a schedule for LinkedIn posts, newsletter entries, and posters.
In terms of time commitment, the role was very manageable alongside my main job. In the early stages it involved around one to two hours a week, increasing to roughly three hours a week in the final month before the conference. Throughout, I felt well supported — the co‑chairs and organisers were always quick to respond to questions, we had regular bi‑weekly meetings which became weekly closer to the event, and the ability to communicate easily through emails made collaboration straightforward and efficient.
Skills I didn’t expect to gain
One of the most surprising outcomes of volunteering was the range of transferable, non‑technical skills I developed. Working on the communications workstream strengthened my ability to explain ideas clearly and adapt messaging for different audiences, whether that was drafting a post or discussing an approach in meetings. Collaborating with people outside my immediate team also boosted my confidence and helped me practise influencing and decision‑making in a supportive environment.
Balancing committee work alongside my day‑to‑day role improved how I manage my time and priorities, particularly as the conference date approached and activity increased. The more informal Future Statistician session also helped build confidence in speaking openly, sharing ideas, and learning from others without the pressure of formal roles or responsibilities.
The connections I made
Another highlight was the people I worked with and the connections I made along the way. Collaborating with colleagues from different departments and professional backgrounds exposed me to new perspectives and ways of working, which really enriched the experience. Informal conversations and shared problem‑solving during meetings helped build strong working relationships and made collaboration feel natural.
The Future Statistician Task and Finish group stood out in this way too. The session encouraged open discussion, and I had the chance to exchange contact details with colleagues I might not otherwise have met. I’ve stayed in touch with some of them since, which has helped me feel more connected and confident reaching out across the wider GSS.
How this experience helped me at work
Volunteering had a direct and positive impact on my day‑to‑day role. Working with new people and contributing outside my usual responsibilities increased my confidence, particularly when sharing ideas and making decisions in group settings. It also helped me think more strategically about communication and planning — skills I’ve since applied in my main role when coordinating work or managing competing priorities.
Seeing how small, well‑timed actions could make a bigger impact reinforced the value of being proactive and organised, something that’s been especially useful during busier periods at work.
Why opportunities like this matter for the GSS
Opportunities like this play an important role in supporting learning, collaboration, and shared standards across the GSS. Volunteering brings together people from different teams, departments, and professions, creating space to learn from one another and benefit from a wide range of perspectives.
Making these opportunities visible helps more people feel confident to step forward, regardless of experience, and supports a culture where development happens not just through formal roles or training, but through collaboration and shared experiences. Over time, this helps strengthen connections across the organisation and encourages a more joined‑up way of working.
Making development visible
Overall, volunteering was a positive experience. I gained useful skills, made valuable connections, and had opportunities that I still draw on in my day‑to‑day role. It was a good reminder that development doesn’t just come from courses or formal programmes, but from getting involved, learning by doing, and pushing yourself a little outside your comfort zone.
Whether it’s joining a committee or taking part in a one‑off session like the Future Statistician Task and Finish group, I’d really encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to give it a go. It’s a rewarding way to contribute, learn something new, and feel even more connected to the wider GSS community.
Aarthi Hariharan, Department for Work and Pensions