Case Studies

Personal stories from volunteers sharing their experiences across different organisations and roles. Each article follows someone's journey from starting out to ongoing involvement.

Complementary Therapies in a Day Centre: A Case Study

An aromatherapist shares how she started offering free treatments at a local day centre and why it made a real difference to people's wellbeing.

Finding a New Direction After Redundancy: A Case Study

Lisa lost her job and found unexpected direction by volunteering at Citizens Advice, rebuilding her confidence through helping others.

Founding and Running a Community Gallery: Case Study

Three friends in North London turned an empty shop into a volunteer-run community gallery bringing contemporary art and free workshops to their neighbourhood.

Full-time Mum to Carer Support Volunteer: A Case Study

Sarah left full-time parenting to volunteer as a carer, giving families a break while supporting children with learning difficulties.

Getting Fit While Helping the Environment: A Case Study

Joe's journey from couch potato to outdoor volunteer shows how conservation work transformed his fitness and wellbeing.

How I Take Part in Neighbourhood Watch: A Case Study

Alan shares how starting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in his area tackled crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour over three years.

How We Created a Community Garden: A Case Study

Two Edinburgh neighbours transformed their neglected backyard into a thriving community garden with help from a local association.

I Became a Councillor to Help My Community: Case Study

Anna quit her community centre job to become a councillor, here's why she stepped into local government and what she's fighting for.

I Became a Fundraiser for a Local Charity: A Case Study

Katy used her marketing skills to raise funds for a local youth group after leaving college and deciding to volunteer in her community.

I Became Coach for Under 13s Football: A Case Study

How one parent's passion for football turned into coaching under 13s and why filling that gap mattered.

I Made New Friends at a Playscheme: A Case Study

A widowed mum volunteers at a local playscheme and discovers a new social circle among other parents doing the same.

I Volunteered for a Local Museum: A Case Study

Jane overcame the catch-22 of needing experience to get hired by volunteering at a museum, which led to her breaking into tourism.

My Experience of Skill Swapping: Case Study

A Hampshire man shares how he trades skills with neighbors instead of paying for services, saving money and building community connections.

My New Skills as a Special Constable: A Case Study

A beautician shares how becoming a special constable taught her new skills and challenged her in unexpected ways.

Work- Life Balance as a Hospice Volunteer: A Case Study

A financial consultant cuts his work hours to volunteer at a hospice and discovers how helping others transforms his priorities.