Volunteer Stories

Rooted in Community: Natalie's Experience as a Fusion Trustee

Would you like to be a Hearing Help volunteer?

Steve's Story: A Journey of Purpose and Compassion

From doubt to discovery: how volunteering changed Rowenna

Kevin’s Amazing Journey with Cambridgeshire Deaf Association.

Toni shares the benefits of corporate volunteering.

Three volunteers talk about their experiences volunteering with the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association.

Sallie shares her experience of volunteering with HCCN which led to being a Trustee!

Volunteering for Alright Mate

Three volunteers talk about their experiences volunteering with the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association.

James shares more about his role at Magpas.

Kathy Shaw Senior Development Officer at Support Cambridgeshire gives a personal account of her volunteering journey and shares her future plans. Volunteering could be the thing that changes the course of your life. It certainly did for me when I volunteered for a homeless night shelter in the 1990s. I was a very disillusioned 20 something year old working for a bank and trying to save people money on their tax bills. I wondered if this was going to be my life forever- safe, boring and dull. Volunteering at the night shelter was pivotal as it introduced me to the world of the voluntary sector and sparked up my curiosity on things I had little understanding about. I discovered the truth - homeless and human – I found out first hand, about personal choice, mental health (this is a lie as we didn’t talk about mental health then), addiction, the unfairness of life and social care systems. It shone a light on me and revealed a bigger picture of power, inequity and poorly understood issues. At the shelter I made some good friends with volunteers, paid workers, homeless residents, each connection opened my eyes beyond the screen I sat by each day to monitor a pile of tax returns. I used my workplace to fundraise, I embarked upon an Open University degree and left my corporate job to be a paid worker in the voluntary sector. From that point I now have a career rich in the experience and knowledge of funding, fundraising, development, policy and all the things that support social change, it stands me in good stead to support other organisations and understand the complex dynamics of the sector. As I look towards 2025, I feel it’s time for change again, perhaps more intentional but one that may set out a new trajectory, and with the benefit of hindsight and courage of foresight, I ask myself 2 questions: Why would I volunteer in 2025? What sort of volunteer vacancies appeal to me? Using Volunteer Cambs I set about exploring what the future possibilities could be by listing the reasons to volunteer and the possible things I could volunteer to do. You may come up with similar lists and questions and wonder why not? Who knows your volunteer opportunity may lead you to a new friends, new skills or perhaps a new career? Reasons to Volunteer 2025 Time – is a big barrier but I often find myself peeling myself off a sofa after watching multiple episodes of something, or endless hours of scrolling on social media apps, on-line shopping and afterwards - I feel nothing – I can’t remember what I watched or what I looked at! What if I replaced that with a more meaningful and fulfilling voluntary activity? Responsibility – I don’t want to take on another commitment, full-time work and being a single parent to 2 teenagers can be enough. But, at the end of the day it is my choice about what I volunteer to do and how much time I can give. Connection – Real life socialising has diminished because of tech, Covid, and as I age I’m less inclined to be part of sports groups and less of a fan of nights out on the town. Meeting people through volunteering task will be a good reason to connect. Challenge and Curiosity – there’s always a bit of me that seeks a challenge, nowadays I seem to be a scroller to other people’s adventures and I wonder where that curious mind that wanted to see life, warts and all has gone. Personal and Professional Development – I don’t think I’ll ever be done, every new opportunity is a chance for development, to learn and become. Time again – if not now, then when? Volunteering Possibilities From Volunteer Cambs that interest me. Event Organiser I like the idea of helping out with events, it’s a great way to get to go somewhere (for free), meets lots of new people and support a cause that really interests me, especially for organisations that I know my family and friends have been very grateful for. I don’t expect this will feel like an over commitment of time either. Business/Social Enterprise Leader This role for a young person’s arts organisation appealed to me as it has endless possibilities but is a real challenge, something that would really enhance my personal and professional development too. Clothes Swap Event Volunteer I’ve always fancied going to a swishing event this would be a great opportunity to off-load my unwanted clothes from my new year clear out and pick some stylish new threads for 2025. It is also a one-off event, so it could fit in alongside other commitments. Befriending Support for a Young Person The limited knowledge I have of the care for young people doesn’t sit well with me - it seems inadequate – being able to support just one young person, to build a rapport and be a person who can listen and support someone would be a challenge, there something that lures me about a brand new challenge. This is the type of volunteer role that would really make me think deeply about the whys and wherefores, possibly pushing me in a new direction. Drawing up my lists has been a useful exercise to help me try to understand why I want to volunteer to something that suits where I am in life. What’s on your list and where will 2025 take you?

Beverly's Christmas joy turns into a permanent passion at Wimpole!

Duncan explains why he enjoys volunteering for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

This super couple from Cambridge have been volunteering for an exceptional 17 years.

Creating Nature’s Corridors is a registered charity created by Vhari Russell to improve our planet for generations to come and its mission is to plant 10,000 trees and hedging plants per year.

The many enjoyable volunteering roles at the Cambridge Beer Festival!

Safe Soulmate volunteers share what they enjoy about volunteering!

In this video; Alex, Steve and Mike share their experiences volunteering at It Takes A City.

Volunteer with Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre to support survivors

Kim shares her different volunteering roles throughout her life.

How volunteering helped Hannah return to employment

Alistair and Tom share their experiences of volunteering with Cambridge, Past, Present & Future, and Warden, Jess shares details on how to join them!

We asked the Volunteer Lead at Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to tell us about one of their valued volunteers. This is what they had to say about Julie* “Julie has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer for several years. She selflessly donates her time and commitment to the older people who use our day centre service on Wednesdays and plays a key role making everyone feel welcome and able to participate in social activities. She is an invaluable asset to our organisation, providing practical support and friendship to everyone. Julie is always willing to help set up, clear away and assist with activities and does so without being asked to do so. She greets and makes everyone welcome at the centre, usually with a cup of tea! She encourages clients to participate in activities and “have a go”, with a can-do attitude and humour. Additionally, she makes time to speak to everyone and make them feel valued, and she always remembers to ask after their family and events they have told her about previously. Continuity is very important in the lives of our service users, especially after the experience of Covid, and they appreciate Julie’s steadfastness and the relationships she has built with service users and staff. Our service users enjoy Julie’s company and good humour, and she knows all our service users well, so her conversations demonstrate genuine friendship and interest in their lives and activities. Julie is very supportive to both the service users and staff. She is a friend to those she supports and, for some, the only person they see to have a chat with regularly. Having the time to spend with service users is invaluable in promoting good mental health and encourages service users to attend the centre. This has been especially important for those who have lost friends who attended the centre with them and others who have lost their self-confidence to go out of the home following COVID-19. Julie’s dedication and support for staff provide the time and space for staff to deal with complex needs within the centre whilst ensuring that activities and friendship is continuing for the service users uninterrupted.” *Please note Julie is not her real name, and the image is a stock image. If you would like to volunteer with Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Click the button below to scroll through their roles.

Holly was first identified as a young carer when she was 13 and she has been passionate about advocating for young carers ever since. Whilst she was accessing support from Centre 33 herself Holly would volunteer to speak at events, deliver training to school staff and helped to train social work students. She has delivered many assemblies about young carers and has spoken on the radio about her own experiences of being a young carer and the support she has received from Centre 33. Holly wanted to continue to support young carers now she is an adult as she feels she had the support when she needed it so she would like to give back to young carers, so they don’t feel alone, have a positive experience and that someone is there to care and support them. Holly is studying at Oxford University but has continued to volunteer with Centre 33. She supports one of our fortnightly online young carers groups and attends face-to-face activities whenever she is able to, on occasion making a special trip back from Oxford during term time. Our young carers groups give young people the opportunity to have some time that is just for them, to do some fun activities, and the chance to meet other young carers who are in very similar positions to themselves. All of Centre 33's volunteers are crucial to the running of thier groups, but young people particularly respond well to Holly. Young people trust Holly, they open up to her, and they respect her. Holly understands what it is like to be a young carer through her own lived experience, and she helps young carers to feel like they are less alone, she will help to motivate them by talking about her own caring role and what she has managed to achieve. She always makes time for the young people, she listens to them, is incredibly patient, and ensures everyone’s voice is heard. Part of Holly’s role as a volunteer at our group is to reach out to the quieter members of the group to ensure they are feeling included. This may be by including them in the discussion or activity, or by using the chat function to engage them. This is something Holly excels at, and she is passionate about ensuring all young carers are listened to. For a young carer, having someone in their life who is there just for them is so important. When attending face to face sessions, Holly is able to recognise the young people who perhaps need a bit of extra support. She will always make time for them and spend 1:1 time with them when needed. Centre 33 encourage our volunteers to get involved in the planning and running of our sessions as much as they would like to. Holly always jumps at this opportunity and isn’t afraid to involve herself in any task or share her ideas. She has taken the lead on planning sessions and running fun and engaging activities and on occasion has stepped up to lead the group. when staff members have been having issues with technology. During these times Holly has calmly and efficiently taken over managing the group and leading on the content of the session. Being away at university hasn’t been a barrier for her as she has prioritised her time to ensure she can remain committed to volunteering. She is reliable, arrives early and is always prepared for the session. When Holly is back from university, she will support with the running of face-to-face groups and activities whenever she can. Last Easter Holly supported young carers at a residential to Grafham Water. She recognised when young carers were feeling nervous or anxious about trying something new and she encouraged them to take part, often pushing herself out of her own comfort zone to help to reassure them and reduce their anxiety. As well as volunteering with the young carers service, Holly has also fundraised for Centre 33. Last summer she took part in ‘Challenge 33’ where she was sponsored to visited 33 Oxford Colleges in 3 hours 33 minutes, raising vital funds for Centre 33. Holly is also a keen advocate for young carers. She was disappointed her university doesn’t offer any support to young adult carers, so she has taken it upon herself to set up some support. She has already helped to identify other young adult carers and has arranged regular meet ups. Holly will go above and beyond to make a difference in young people’s lives. Holly will always try to help in any way she can, and she is a highly valued member of the Centre 33 team.

CARESCO is a unique charity based in the Sawtry village near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. CARESCO exists to serve the local community in Sawtry and its satellite villages. Under the CARESCO umbrella are several services offered to the local community, including the Green End Day Club, the Cave, the Friday drop-in cafe, the carers support group, a music-based social group, a Christmas Day party, and the charity shop which helps to fund CARESCO's activities. In partnership with other organisations, CARESCO also hosts the local foodbank in collaboration with the local churches and the village car scheme in cooperation with Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority. CARESCO also edits and publishes the popular Sawtry Eye magazine. There are many ways for individuals to get involved and help with the work of CARESCO, but they are very thankful of all their volunteers. Here is the story of just one of their valued volunteers, Carolyn. On her retirement in February 2020, Carolyn signed up as a volunteer with CARESCO and agreed to take on co-ordinating our weekly Friday Coffee Shop, a drop-in café space where people can spend time with friends, meeting new people and enjoying a simple menu including hot drinks, home-made cake and bacon butties. The Coffee Shop is staffed by a small dedicated team of volunteers who often also make and donate the various cakes and other treats on offer each week. In particular, Carolyn’s cheese scones prove very popular. All proceeds raised are used to support CARESCO and enable us to run our range of community services Carolyn has ably taken on the challenge, built up her own team of dedicated volunteer helpers and cake makers, and added her own creative touch to the space used in our building. The Coffee Shop has a wide range of customers and Carolyn has proved to be more than capable in keeping them all happy and the conversation going. Those who are particularly fussy about their tea / mug / bacon are catered for so they get the right tea strength / china / crispiness each time. Having just got started, the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020 and everything stopped. Yet Carolyn was able, post-lockdowns, to oversee the various stages of restarting the Coffee Shop and managing the relevant government restrictions to keep the customers and team as safe as possible and encouraging the nervous back out. As a bonus, the income from the Coffee Shop has significantly increased under Carolyn’s leadership. Although the Coffee Shop is a service to our community, the steady income always helps. Under Carolyn’s co-ordination, customer numbers have slowly grown until the room is full on Friday mornings and every seat taken. When she started there was one dominating clique who were not known for their welcome or friendliness if a new visitor appeared, but now all are encouraged to join in and be part of the conversation. The space is a buzz the whole session with many staying on right to the end. The positivity and encouragement that can be felt during sessions is mostly down to Carolyn and the way she handles the customers and the room. People enjoy being there and want to come back.

Learn more about how Abi went from placement to valued volunteer.

As a former professional stage actor perhaps it was no surprise that Sandra was drawn to The Commemoration Hall , Huntingdon, becoming a regular volunteer when our new Arts Café and events programme opened in July 2021. Many volunteers bring unique insights from their hands-on, close-up experience of delivering what your charity does best, and for us Sandra is no exception. Seeing how The Hall could develop further, particularly in the range of cultural events it offered, Sandra evolved her role to take on the managing and marketing of our events programme, vital to helping us expand our programming, grow income and become more sustainable. With her knowledge of theatre and love of treading the boards, Sandra had found her perfect role. She now supports our programming on almost a daily basis, actively promoting The Hall as a venue of choice to touring theatre productions, musicians, events promoters, community and commercial hirers, and managing the booking process and key relationships end-to-end. As a result, our bookings process has become much quicker and more efficient, freeing up additional time to promote our offer, and proactively seeking new hires and partners to enrich our community arts offer. Making this leap was much needed, and it’s had a significant impact on our growth and our ability to weather the financial storms of the last twelve months. To reduce the story of Sandra’s impact to financial values alone feels insufficient, given how much all-round energy, direction and love she brings to her role, but in hard terms our revenue across our Theatre space, Community Hall and meeting rooms has doubled over the last twelve months to about 13% of our total projected revenue for 2023-24. And that particularly matters right now because of what The Hall is - a very old, large and poorly-insulated building with significant energy costs, even in the best of times. Without Sandra’s leadership and the additional income she has helped to secure, we might have faced some very tough choices this year. These pressures are not yet over of course, but we may not have been able to stay one step ahead so far without her efforts. But beyond the financial picture, the diversity of the new audiences and communities coming into the Hall, as a result of our expanded programme, is thrilling to see. Our mission is to provide a nourishing, uplifting and diverse range of affordable artistic and cultural experiences for the residents of the Town and surrounding area, and to achieve this we need both hearts and minds – a fantastic cultural programme and a sustainable building and business model to host them. Sandra’s volunteering is priceless for us because it embodies both of these objectives so clearly. Thank you Sandra! Want to know more? If you’d like more information about volunteering with The Commemoration Hall please contact [email protected] for details. We currently have opportunities to support our staff in the Café and supporting our evening events (including one-off stewarding roles at our Pantomime this December).

Community transport schemes are just one of the many ways to support your local community. Not only are these great if you like to drive or meet an extensive range of people, but they often can be flexible roles so they can fit around your busy lifestyle. Most community transport schemes support older residents and offer a unique service for those unable to afford taxis and have mobility difficulties or have little or no access to public transport. Volunteers generally receive a set amount for their mileage. This isn't the only reason they giving up their precious time, as explained in these stories from volunteers at Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre . Paul’s* story: "When I was asked to write a few words explaining why I became a volunteer driver, I couldn't think of any reason except that I like volunteering, which is true! As always, I get a lot of satisfaction from it, and it gets me out of the house (important when you are retired). But it's not about me. I have been surprised at the amount of money old folks have to pay in taxi fares to get to and from the hospital – we can do it for a quarter of the price if the driver is prepared to wait. I take the view that I might as well read the paper in my car, as I would only be doing the same thing at home in my armchair (you do have to run the engine periodically on a cold winter's day). When available, hospital transport can involve waiting for very extended periods. People are always very grateful and often pay more than strictly necessary – I don't dissuade them but always explain very carefully that any overpayment is an additional contribution to the charity. Careful record-keeping is required! I prefer longer journeys as I feel more as though I have done a 'proper job'. However, one of my regular clients only ever needs to visit a local vet with her cat, a round journey of 6 miles. She has spent over £100 (total) at the vet's in the 4 or 5 times I have driven for her but the bonus is that I now have a very good knowledge of cat ailments. I can't lay claim to being a good listener but I'm learning. I would add that the office staff are very efficient and kind, despite some frustrations. Now, they are good listeners." Sandra’s* story: "I am a volunteer driver for Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre, and although I'm not always free to take on a drive, I'm more than happy to be asked. The ladies who manage the bookings are so lovely to deal with. I have met some fascinating people, and giving them company and a helping hand is so rewarding. Many of the volunteers are a bit older than myself, so it is always nice to be greeted with "aren't you young" when they meet me. Whether it is taking people to the hospital, doctors, dentist or the shops, you realise how vital this service is for so many people. They are all so grateful, and I've had some amazing chats and certainly learnt a thing or two. It is often the case that I am the only person that they have seen or spoken to that day. One Lady, I took recently asked me if I would mind taking her to the mobility shop after her appointment so that she could get some shoes. We had quite a laugh in the shop choosing the shoes as she wasn't keen on the choices - she really wanted a pair of heels! She might have been nearly 90 but she still didn't feel quite old enough for the sensible shoes on display!" Tony's* Story: "My role as a volunteer driver gives me huge satisfaction. Many people live alone, have been in isolation, and contact with someone different can help hugely. To know that someone looks forward to a five weekly Podiatrist visit with enthusiasm helps keep me grounded. Most of the people I have been involved with are ladies, who have been a joy to assist. A story which I would like to repeat. I took a lady for a regular appointment to Huntingdon and, whilst there, told her I was popping to my former company to drop in birthday cards for staff in September. When I returned, she asked if they were pleased I dropped them in. Yes, that was my answer. Fifteen minutes later we are in Tesco collecting 13 cards for her friends and family. The lady had forgotten her reading glasses, so I read the messages on all the cards. On the way down the escalator, the lady saw Christmas sweets and chocolates, we collected some of these too. Did we at Huntingdon Volunteer Centre make a difference that day for this individual? Yes We gave her the OPPORTUNITY to have a change of landscape. I think this means the world to all concerned. Thank you for my opportunity." Many of these projects are not only looking for support with the driving, but they are also looking for support with the administration. Emma* tells us her story. "I have been volunteering in the car scheme administration team for several years as one of the "girls" in the office. I enjoy it because it uses the administration skills from my previous working life, makes me feel useful and is also very rewarding. Just recently, I was able to help a lady from the village where I live, who was looking for help from the St Ives scheme, needing many lifts for medical appointments. She had not heard of the village scheme, but I asked the village scheme coordinator to contact her, and now she has all the help she needs. To hear the relief and gratitude from the clients when you can find them a driver is very rewarding. It can be very demanding with constant phone calls and changing priorities but this is good for a mental workout!" If you would like to get involved in a community transport scheme, search through opportunities on Volunteer Cambs and see what is needed in your area, there are a number of schemes always looking for support. Thanks go to the volunteers of Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre who gave us their stories. Please note that the names of the volunteers have been changed.

Hello! It’s Amy here and I’m going to give you an overview of what barriers people might come up against when they’re looking for voluntary work. As you might be aware… It’s important for both the volunteer and the charity or group that they volunteer with, to understand each other and for the volunteer to feel supported in their role. Some people with certain disabilities may expect you to know how they want to be supported, but if you don’t, then they would be happy to talk to you about it and you just need to ask. Have you ever thought that it might be worth asking people what they feel comfortable with and try to adjust as much as you can to make them feel welcome? Everybody is different and might struggle in their own ways, but I would like you to think about a few examples and put yourself in their shoes. The potential volunteer may find the application process difficult (for example, if it has to be done online and they don’t have access to the internet). Some find reading and writing challenging, and others understand pictures easier than words or people from other countries may have limited understanding of English. If references are needed, then some people may find these difficult to obtain, particularly if they have never worked before, and you didn’t explain that they could be character references from people who they know. If there’s an interview process, then some might find it very nerve-racking meeting new people for the first time, might need to be given more time than others to answer questions and some questions may need to be explained and made easier to understand. Some might struggle to look people in the eye when they’re being spoken to (some people with Autism might even find it painful) and it may be considered rude in other cultures. And some people with specific disabilities or health conditions may say or behave in a way that most people view as rude or inappropriate, but they don’t mean to offend anyone (and of course, they deserve the same chances as everyone else). There are lots of different barriers that people might face when looking for volunteering opportunities. The potential volunteer may have issues with transport (like unreliable bus services and other means of transport being very expensive). Some people are sensitive to certain temperatures and might feel unable to come to their voluntary work if it’s too hot or cold. Some need to take more time off than others so that they can keep appointments that are important for their well-being. People with certain disabilities may struggle in particular environments (but still want to work in that setting). People from differen t cultures might need to take time off for religious events (and might not feel comfortable to wear certain clothes if there’s a uniform involved). Some people may need to take breaks at certain times so that they can take medication that’s important for their well-being and some people may need a quiet space to relax for a bit (people who have Autism and experience sensory overload might need somewhere where they can chill out for a bit and “stim”). Some people who have Tourette’s may have tic attacks where they need to be on their own for a bit (these can be exhausting). People who have epilepsy may need someone to stay with them after a seizure and if able to be moved once they have come out of it, then it might be good to have a quiet place for them to relax. People who have mental health issues may need somewhere to chill if things get too much for them and they need a break. People who have physical disabilities or health conditions may need adjustments made so that they can work comfortably (with things at their level if they need to sit down) or easy to reach if they have to reach up and are able to do so. Some people (no matter what their disability or background) may want or need someone to support them until they feel comfortable in their voluntary role (like a mentor). I wanted you to see how much effort people put into becoming your volunteers, especially when they have to face so many barriers. It’s very important for you to know, not only because you can support them better, but also because I feel it will make you appreciate them more. If you are a volunteer or an organisation and want to write a blog for Volunteer Cambs please get in contact with [email protected]