Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June) is all about celebrating the amazing people who give their time and energy to help others. It’s been going strong for over 40 years, and it’s a great chance for organisations like TogetherintheUK—who rely completely on volunteers—to say a big thank you. This year, we’re also sharing interviews with some volunteers to hear their stories and what inspires them to get involved.
Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our communities, offering support across a wide range of skills and advice and most importantly giving their time and compassion to worthy causes, and like most heroes, they quietly go about helping to build stronger, more compassionate societies. Whether supporting local food banks, mentoring, protecting the environment, supporting migrants and refugees, or offering companionship to the elderly, their contributions ripple outwards, uplifting lives and creating lasting impact. Their generosity helps fill the gaps where resources fall short, ensuring that kindness and support are always within reach.
Volunteering not only benefits those on the receiving end—it profoundly enriches the lives of those who give. TogetherintheUK spoke to several individuals to find out why they volunteer and what volunteering has given them.
I volunteer because I believe we should all replenish the community pool of resources. Our society has not been structured to care for those who do not “meet the criteria” for support and it has, to some degree, become a tick-box exercise. Volunteering is my opportunity to use my tools and skills to be the change I want to see in the world. At the same time, volunteering adds value to my life as knowing I can make a positive difference and seeing how my contribution adds to the organisation is priceless! I use my professional skills to reduce costs on already tight budgets. Most importantly, I have learned that each and everyone’s contribution is worthy and valued. Our differences, our diversity, adds collective value.
When it comes to charities or organisation that need volunteers my advice is that they go out into communities – don’t wait for folks to come to them. People want to make a difference, to contribute – they just need to be invited in. When I think of what organisations need to do to encourage volunteers, I recall that before I took on trustee roles, I worked with long standing charities who had not revisited their cause or reflected societal changes. Diversity and differences were forced to fit an existing mould and so historical discriminatory practices were often embedded. So, I would encourage all charities to reflect and review regularly so that they can truly welcome those who want to help.
Finally, organisations need to recognise that volunteers are giving the most valuable resource we have – time, and that motivation and encouragement are crucial factors.
Everyone needs to feel like they belong, so it is important to recognise that volunteers feel rewarded by being asked what they think, being developed and being part of succession planning.
Judeline Nicholas, Trustee and Diversity Consultant
I started volunteering in February 2016 as I had just claimed asylum and was not working. With time on my hands, I became moved by the challenges refugees and migrants face as a community. Through volunteering I have gained new skills, but most importantly I discovered my new purpose. I faced many challenges going through the asylum system, constantly looking for answers. The lessons I learnt through that process I now use to help those going through the same challenging asylum system. This is my new purpose.
However, I also learnt a lot of new practical skills such as how to campaign, write funding bids, facilitate community groups, conduct 1:2:1 interviews but most importantly, it’s the cultural competency skills that have added value. I can now confidently hold a conversation with anyone regardless of race, gender, religion, education etc. I now celebrate diversity not differences. My employers benefit from those skills too as I am more productive, and I benefit through career progression and benefits.
I think charities can encourage more people to volunteer if they support them – financially or through skills development. I was able to volunteer properly because I was supported through lunch and travel expenses, something very important for refugees who are not allowed to work and cannot afford to pay their own way. I was also offered training in various areas. And most importantly, I never felt excluded. I remember representing Baobab Women Project at a Rosa fund meeting because the Director at Baobab valued my knowledge and skills, deciding I was the right fit for that meeting.
No-one wants to volunteer where they are made to feel less than. There lies the answer; volunteering is a two way process.
Loraine Mponela, Volunteer, Activist, Writer, and Public Health Professional
I volunteer because I want to contribute to my new society, to establish a network, both professionally and personally, and to enhance my experience of life in the UK. I have found that volunteering adds real value to my life as it makes me feel good because I’m helping others and giving back to the community.
As a relatively newcomer to the UK, volunteering helps me meet new people and learn new skills that are useful in my personal and work life. Some of the practical skills I have learned such as digital marketing, website development and problem solving, have given me real life work experience. Sharing my volunteering experience at work has helped me connect with coworkers and even inspired others to get involved too.
Charities can encourage more people to volunteer by showing how volunteers’ help makes a real difference. They can also make it easier to get involved by offering flexible hours, clear roles, and welcoming environments. Sharing inspiring stories and recognising volunteers can also motivate others to join.
Likewise, as a volunteer, I would appreciate receiving training in different areas to expand my skills base, support from the charity in terms of feedback, updates on what is happening or how successful an event has been, and to be appreciated. Volunteers don’t need to be paid but a thank you or an email of appreciation goes a long way to encouraging continued support.
Hammad Ahmad Albachitie, Volunteer and IT Professional
Since creating TogetherintheUK in 2016 I have learned a lot about working with volunteers, – something very important to TGIUK as we depend entirely on their support. We start by being clear what our purpose and values are so that everyone knows what they are signing up for.
Both Hammad and Loraine spoke about the benefit of learning skills through their volunteering. Judeline spoke about the importance of belonging. It is vital that if you cannot hire people on paid contracts that the charity/social enterprise finds other ways of rewarding volunteers through offering some or more of the following: professional development, working on exciting projects, potentially developing a wider network and a sense of being part of a team.
And everyone spoke about how important acts of appreciation and acknowledgement of their time and effort is. So, this Volunteer Week, a big thank you to everyone who volunteers or has volunteered for TogetherintheUK. You have helped share hundreds of stories of refugees and migrants and this is a powerful force in creating a more inclusive society. Many charities/social enterprises will take a moment this week to recognise all the support provided by volunteers. They will be acknowledging that your time, your heart, and your hands shape a better world. You remind us that small acts of kindness can spark big changes. Teresa Norman, Creator and CEO of TogetherintheUK
To read more about the lives and impacts of migrants on UK society, go to https://togetherintheuk.co.ukl
To volunteer with TGIUK, go to: https://togetherintheuk.co.uk/volunteers/
To find volunteering opportunities search these organisations.
