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Organisation Spotlight: Staywell

This week, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Staywell, an independent, award-winning charity that’s been at the heart of the community for nearly 80 years. As we approach their milestone anniversary in 2026, Staywell continues its incredible work supporting older people and fostering connections that enrich lives. 

Tell us a little about your organisation (what do you do, what is your mission, how long you have been active, where are you based in the borough etc):

At Staywell, our mission is to empower older people and their carers to live with independence, dignity, and a sense of community. We’re passionate about breaking down barriers and helping people embrace their full potential—whether by staying active in their homes, engaging with their neighbours or making new friends. 

With hubs in New Malden and Kingston, we offer a wide range of services including Home from Hospital and Handyperson, with holistic, evidence-based programmes tailored to the needs of our users. We believe in the power of bridging generations by engaging younger volunteers in meaningful ways in our work. 

Want to learn more? Check out our website for all the details!

Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Staywell. By giving your time, you’ll directly help improve the lives of older people, combatting isolation and fostering community spirit. 

But it’s not just about giving back—volunteering brings personal rewards, too. Research shows that volunteering boosts health and wellbeing, especially for older adults. It’s a fantastic way to: 

– Stay active and sharpen your skills after retirement or during a career break. 

– Build new skills and gain valuable experience. 

– Kickstart a new career path—many Staywell volunteers have joined our staff or moved into rewarding roles elsewhere. 

What volunteer role/s do you have available?

We have a variety of volunteer roles to match your interests and availability: 

Day Centre Volunteer: Help run activities, serve lunches, and support older adults at our day centres in New Malden and Kingston. 

Volunteer Befriender: Provide companionship to isolated older adults, either through home visits or outings to local parks, cafes, or libraries. Prefer phone-based volunteering? Join our telephone befriending service! 

Information, Advice & Guidance Volunteer: Help our team guide older adults in claiming life-changing benefit entitlements. 

Digital Volunteer: Use your organisational skills to support our marketing, publicity, and digital administrative tasks. — A whizz taking photos and videos on your phone? How about taking engaging photos for our social media and publications?

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?

At Staywell, every volunteer makes a tangible difference. You’ll find friendship, fun and the joy of being part of a warm, supportive team. Most roles require no prior experience— we provide the training you’ll need to carry out your role and ongoing support to help you succeed. 

Whether you’re looking to make new connections, explore a new path, or simply give back, there’s a role waiting for you. 

Ready to start your volunteer journey? 

If you’re inspired to support older people in your community, apply today to volunteer with Staywell. Stay connected with us on their website, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

Not sure where to start? Check out our resources page for guidance on finding the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. 

We’d love to welcome you to our team—let’s make later life a greater life together!

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Thank you very much to Staywell for completing our spotlight form. Are you interested in supporting older people in your community? Apply to volunteer at Staywell here! Alternatively, keep up with the service on their 

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Volunteer Case Study: James, a volunteer at Wheels for All Kingston

Today’s Volunteer Case Study follows James, an experienced cyclist and mechanic who volunteers with Wheels for All Kingston. Wheels for All champions accessibility in cycling, working with volunteers to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming cycling environment.

Tell us a little about yourself (where you live, what your occupation is):

I live in East Sheen (SW14) and retired in April 2023. Before that I spent my working life in the IT industry in various roles and during the last 10 years worked as a Project Manager for several companies in the  data/analytics field.

What inspired you to volunteer? 

I have always been a very keen cyclist and my own mechanic , so wanted to use my skills and interest to put something back into the community. I looked at several opportunities and found that the work Wheels for All best suited my requirements.

How did you find out about the volunteering role? 

I found this opportunity via a google search

Tell us about your volunteering role(s). Brief synopsis of the role, what you do/did day to day. What training did you receive/are you receiving? What are you enjoying/did you enjoy most about your volunteering role?

The role involves the following: – Getting the bikes out of the shed and ready prior to the start of the day’s session. 

– Helping participants/carers putting helmets on and ensuring its safe for them to ride 

– Getting participants/carers set up on the appropriate bicycle. 

– Riding with participants/carers if required when using a dual bike or if they need guidance round the track. 

– Fixing any issues with bikes such as minor adjustments and punctures. 

– At the end of the session putting the bikes away and closing down the session. 

I was given on-site training at the start from the Session lead and then general ways of working training from the WFA organisation. 

It is  a very positive activity working with the participants and fellow volunteers. It is very good to see the participants enjoying the cycling and outdoor activity and positive contribution to their wellbeing. 

What has been the best thing about your volunteering experience?

Seeing the positive impact on the participants over a period over a number of sessions as they develop their cycling skills.

Can you sum up your experience in three words? 

Happy Embolden Riders

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Thank you very much to James for completing our volunteer survey. Are you interested in supporting inclusive cycling by volunteering for Wheels for All Kingston? Apply here! Alternatively, keep up with the service on their website, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: Larch Club


Today’s organisation spotlight is on Larch Club, a social club for adults with (high functioning) autism run by Kingston Eco-Op. The club focuses on creating a space where members can socialise, make new friends, and express themselves. Members can partake in a range of activities, including board games, arts and crafts, and music.

Tell us a little about your organisation

The Larch Club was established in 2023 as a social club for adults with autism (without a learning disability). This is in response to a lack of local services following the social impact that the covid lockdowns had on people with autism. It is a member led group focussing on creating a safe, social space for members to socialise, take part in activities and go out on trips.

Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?

Volunteers help improve the clubs ability to adapt to the individual needs of the members. With help we can plan for events, activities and trips that support the clubs aims.

What volunteer role/s do you have available?

The Larch Club runs from 5:30 to 8pm on Thursdays at Kingston Library. Volunteers will assist staff in setting up, running the club, tidying up at the end and planning for the future.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?

The Larch Club would be invaluable experience for anyone interested in social care, nursing, psychology or counselling. I began the journey in my career as a MIND volunteer so appreciate that interpersonal skills benefit greatly from experience. Training and travel expenses are available. Personal or private experience of autism is desirable.

Thank you so much to Christ from The Larch Club / Kingston Eco-Op for your time! Do you want to give back to your community? Become a volunteer for The Larch Club  here ! Want to find out more? Check out their website, X,  Instagram, and Facebook page.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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You’re invited: Volunteering Kingston’s 2024 Volunteer Festival

an orange banner with a black and white cutout of a hand holding a clock. White text reds "This season give the greatest gift of all. your time" Features Volunteering Kingston's signature orange

Volunteering Kingston are delighted to invite you to our annual Volunteer Festival, on November 28th, beginning at 2pm! If you’re on the hunt for the right role, this is a great way to meet organizations based in Kingston and find an opportunity that best fits you. Are you a current volunteer? Why not bring a friend along to learn about how they can give their time this holiday season? Volunteering Kingston showcases a wide variety of roles, including seasonal, one-off and remote opportunities.

Volunteer FEstival banner, featuring information about the festival. Text reads: "Volunteering Kingston’s 2024 Volunteer Festival. Date/Time: November 28th 14:00-17:30 pm. Location: All Saints Church, 14-16 Market Pl, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1JP". To the side there is a picture of two young women wearing Volunteering Kingston T-shirts, and holding a sign that reads "we heart volunteers".

This event will be held at All Saints Church, 14-16 Market Place, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1JP. This historic church is wheelchair accessible, fitted with a hearing loop and has accessible toilets with baby changing facilities. For information on getting there, please visit All Saints’ website.

This event is free for attendees and you are not required to book a ticket in advance. If you are an organization who would like to attend, please email enquiry@volunteeringkingston.org.uk .

Any questions? Please send us an email at enquiry@volunteeringkingston.org.uk.

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Organization Spotlight: Voices of Hope

Today’s organization spotlight is on Voices of Hope, a Kingston-based charity dedicated to bringing hope to people and their communities through community based projects. Voices of Hope often works with people struggling with complex physical and/or mental health issues, families experiencing food insecurity, women who have experienced abuse/domestic violence, and the elderly.

Tell us a little about your organisation:

Voices of Hope is a locally founded charity in Kingston Upon Thames with a focused reach into SW London. We are dedicated to bringing hope to individuals and the wider community, improving physical and mental health through community-based projects. We work with people struggling with complex physical and/or mental health issues, families experiencing food insecurity, women who have experienced abuse/domestic violence, and the elderly. We see those we reach as people who need support, encouragement and empowerment – not as problems which need solving. Our mission is to restore people, give them hope to rebuild their lives, and to equip them both practically and emotionally. We aim to achieve this through creative and inspiring projects focused in the 3 areas of Creative Arts, Food, and Women’s projects.


Why do you want to involve volunteers in Voices of Hope ?

Volunteers are an invaluable resource to our organisation, helping us to grow and thrive towards our cause. Their diverse skills and perspective bring unique expertise and fresh ideas that can enrich BRITE Box project. Community engagement is a big part of our organisations goal, building trust and enhancing our reputation.

What volunteer role/s do you have available?

The BRITE Box project, which operates under the umbrella of VOH, is a meal kit provided to families to help tackle food insecurity, helps build cooking skills as well introduce healthy recipes to children. Sessions run on Thursdays and Fridays term time only. We currently need more volunteers for the Friday (9.30 am – 12 noon) session, where volunteers place all other ingredients into the boxes, seal and have them ready for delivery to schools.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for Voices of Hope?

Having been a volunteer myself with this amazing food project, has taught me the benefits of giving back to the community and meeting new lovely people from diverse walks of life. It helped me start back my career path, after being away for 4 years from the workforce. If you like contributing, meeting new people, love food projects and ideas come join us!

Thank you so much to Lakshmi from Voices of Hope for your time! Do you want to give back to your community? Become a volunteer for Voices of Hope here ! Want to find out more? Check out their website, X, YouTube Channel, Instagram, and Facebook page.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: Barnfield Riding for the Disabled

org spotlight barnfield riding for the disabled

This week’s organisation spotlight is on Barnfield Riding for the Disabled, an organisation that helps disabled children and adults experience the therapeutic benefits of horse riding.

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about RDA?

We’re Barnfield Riding for the Disabled, and we’re a registered charity that has been going for 40 years. We set up because we recognised there was a shortage of this kind of therapy in the area. Over the years, many riding opportunities for disabled people have closed down. We’ve got about 85 disabled riders a week that use this facility, so from a volunteer’s perspective we need an army to deliver the facility. 

We’ve got a total of 15 horses, 10 of which are working horses and 5 of which are in training. We’ve got one of every size because our riders are from 5-75 years old so we have a variety of horses in all sizes to cater to child and adult riders. When we look for horses to do this job, there are specific requirements. Horses have to be of a very special nature to look after disabled riders – they have to be calm and kind. That’s something that can’t be taught. 

On top of that temperament that they have to have goes a lot of training and time. We have to have confidence that they will do the job well. What you have to remember is that horses are, well, horses – they’re prey animals. 

We’re surviving in an environment where every inch of land is being squeezed out for housing. Right now, we try to work quite closely with local schools and nurseries and brownies.  We will tell the children a story about each horse, and at the end of the session we’ll get the horses out and teach them how to groom them. 

These may be working ponies but they’ve got the life of luxury. At the moment we’ve got a new little pony that’s causing a stir. She is called Peggy and she is the most beautiful thing you ever saw and was abandoned by the roadside, and I got lots of requests to rescue her. I trekked all the way over to Cambridge to find this little pony. She could’ve been abused, she certainly was starved. This little pony – talk about life lessons – is the most grateful little pony, she is so well behaved, well mannered. She’s got a new best friend called Annie. Peggy has taken Kingston by storm! 

peggy, a pony at BARNFIELD Riding for the disabled. She is a black and white pony with blue eyes.
Peggy! Photograph by Barnfield Riding School

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at Barnfield Riding for the disabled?

In terms of volunteering we have a whole host of different roles. The principal roles are to facilitate these sessions. These could be a riding session, a therapy session or a horse care session. Anything to do with horses requires training so we have to offer a horse training package for each volunteer, to get accustomed to horse behaviour. Volunteers are trained to side-walk. Each person riding a horse will need two side-walkers in case they lose their balance, and one person to lead the horse. In total, we need three people to help with the horses. A lot of volunteers love coming to us because they’re learning such a wonderful skill – taking care of horses.

Some volunteers just want to come and care for the horses – get involved with feeding, grooming and preparing the horse for sessions. Other people might want to come and be at the stables – doing maintenance work, DIY, gardening or cleaning tack (bridles). People also like to get involved in fundraising or help with the website. The list just goes on – people forget that it’s not just about looking after horses. The deliverance of what we do is so wholesome – people want to be outdoors, the community gets so involved with what we do. For example, we have an annual open day to come together and learn about what we do, and how you can join us to make this organisation even better. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with Barnfield Riding for the Disabled?

On top of learning about horses – and there’s a hell of a lot to learn about horses – we also learn about life skills. Animals have an uncanny way of grounding you – the life skills that you learn from being around horses are things like patience, caring, equality, not being judgemental, never ever getting angry. You learn so much about honesty – animals are so honest, and they know when you’re not being honest. They just teach you to be a good person.

I work as an animal communicator – animals have a fantastic way of communicating with you, they can’t speak but they have a fantastic way of knowing how you feel. They were born very innocent like people – but people only change through their life experiences, and animals stay very kind. 

Finally, any funny stories?

 I had a group of children come to visit from the local nursery, and this boy put his hand up at the end of the session. He said: “my dad says he’s really worried about losing his job because the computers are taking over, but you must not be worried because the only person who could take your job is a robot horse”.

Thank you so much to PatsyAnn from Barnfield Riding for the disabled for your time! Interested in teaching the next generation to take a stand against climate change? Become a volunteer for Barnfield Riding for the disabled here ! Want to find out more? Check out their website and Facebook page.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: Climate Ed

This week’s organisation spotlight is on Climate Ed, a charity offering education to kids about climate science, carbon literacy and climate action!

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Climate Ed?

Hello, my name is Ben and I co-founded Climate Ed in 2018! Before that, I worked as a history teacher, and had a background in history and education. I was interested in climate change and I felt more needed to be done about educating people about it. So, I left my job and set up Climate Ed with a friend! We started visiting local schools, giving presentations and workshops about climate change. 

Through a long process of trial and error we designed a climate action programme. We then began recruiting volunteers to deliver it. Since then, we’ve been sending out volunteers across London – we’ve worked with over 200 schools, 10,000 students and nearly 250 volunteers! We’re also very excited to be launching in Oxford and Birmingham soon.

Our action program looks at three thematic areas – travel, food and general consumption – clothes, what we buy, for instance. Usually we work with years 5 and 6.  We aim to get students carbon literate, give them an understanding of the climate impact so that hopefully they can go away and share that knowledge with their family 

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at Climate Ed?

Our program includes five workshops, each running for an hour. These are designed to support 

students in their learning, through a range of activities. We might begin with a volunteer, giving a presentation talking through slides.Then students will watch a video, answering a question sheet based on it. Then follows group activities, including drama and role play activities. We designed this to be varied, stimulating and importantly fun. Climate Change can be depressing and alarming, but we try to focus on the solutions for it. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with Climate Ed?

A huge amount. We do look out for people with expertise in climate change – so the more subject knowledge you have, the better.  But because it’s quite a challenging volunteering role, our volunteers learn a lot from this – however much knowledge they have on the subject. We’ve had people with PHds on climate change deliver the program who find it stretches their knowledge! Working with children also challenges people’s teaching skills.

Above all, volunteers find passing on their knowledge to the next generation really rewarding. The kids also really appreciate that people are volunteering out of their own free time. Most of our volunteers are doing this because they care about climate change. Quite a few volunteers are interested in building experience in the sector and this is a great place to do that. 

Any funny stories?

Children being children they ask extraordinary questions, so we keep track of the craziest questions they ask. Here are a selection…

“Will the world get taken over by giant insects?”

“If the world gets flooded will we have to evolve to fish to swim?”

“If the world gets hotter will we have to spend all our money on sun cream?”

“Is there one person in the world who controls the climate?”

Thank you so much to Ben from Climate Ed for your time! Interested in teaching the next generation to take a stand against climate change? Become a volunteer for Climate Ed here! Want to find out more? Check out their website, Facebook page, X (formerly twitter) and Instagram. 

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: The River Thames Boat Project

org spotlight river thames boat project

Today we’re speaking to Hannah Bottomley, Education Manager at The River Thames Boat Project. The Thames Boat Project is dedicated to making the River Thames accessible for people of all ages and abilities, providing cruises and educational activities along the river.

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about the River Thames Boat Project?

My name is Hannah Bottomley and I’m the Education Manager at the River Thames Boat Project. The project has been running since 1988. We have two boats which are used for the two arms of the charity – one for cruising, generally for elderly or vulnerable clients, like groups from care homes, veterans, disability support groups and young carers too. Our other boat is used for education – we run a couple of primary school educational programmes so we get classes to come for a day session and we teach them about the river and environment. Our aim is to connect people with the river – and we want to work with people who might not have this opportunity. 

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at the River Thames Boat Project?

Our two boats are very different – the one we use for education, Thames Venturer, is a converted dutch barge – a big boat, the most iconic of the two. It’s been modified for accessibility, and now features a lift for wheelchairs. A volunteer on the education side of things might begin at 9am, setting up equipment for science experiments. The classes tend to arrive at around ten. Our volunteers will take the roles of teachers or teaching assistants, working with the children to complete basic science experiments. Volunteers are supported by the adult visitors that come with the school children. They are normally with us 9 until 3.

Our other boat, Thames Discoverer, is used for cruising and is the smaller of the 2 boats. It’s got large windows so all our clients, including people in wheelchairs, can enjoy the scenery. We provide half day cruises for 3 hours, or full day cruises for 6. Volunteers will arrive an hour before the client to ensure everything on the boat is ready and the engine is running smoothly. We’ll then collect the client from the departure point. Our volunteers have a mix of duties – crewing (working with the ropes and fenders e.g. when passing through a lock) and hosting the clients. Many of our clients might not have had a conversation outside their care home, so hosting is all about making them feel valued. 

A lot of our cruises focus on the therapeutic value of being by the river. There is some science to suggest that being on or by the water is even more relaxing than being in woodland or other clam spaces. Our cruises allow guests to really take in the river from an angle they might not have seen before. Volunteers are welcome to talk about sites on the river with the clients, like Hampton Court Palace. Sometimes we’ll provide activities for the clients, especially if they’re young children. A firm favourite is clay modeling – the activity is linked to the river which has a bed of clay, and the groups often make lots of fish. In the past we’ve had nursery school groups make boats out of recycled materials, encouraging learning about the river in a sustainable way.

A lot of our volunteers might not know anything about boats, but we provide full training – volunteering with us is a learning opportunity. Volunteers can choose what they get involved in, some only do cruising, some only do the educational side of things, some do both. There’s a lot of flexibility, because training relates to both education and cruising. 

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with the project?

Teaching and teaching assistant roles allow volunteers to learn some of the (science, geography and environmental) education that we share. They’ll also learn public speaking skills, some volunteers really come out of themselves. Volunteers will also learn people management, especially when dealing with 8-10 children on board!

When it comes to cruising, learning opportunities are endless. You can learn to be a deckhand, a starting level in crewing – you’ll learn to use fenders, to tie the ropes. You can also learn to be a skipper (boat driver). We also do a lot of inhouse maintenance – for those who are interested, there are loads of opportunities to learn how to fix things. 

Any funny stories?

We get a lot of really nice feedback – we’ve had kids that come up to us at the end of the day and will say “i’ve had a fantastic day” completely unprompted. We also get children asking if there are sharks in the Thames at Teddington – one of the team will often suggest that we test by feeding some children to them. An idea that normally receives squeals of delight!

Are you interested in volunteering with the River Thames Boat Project? Apply to be a cruising volunteer here or an education volunteer here. 

Want to learn more about the project? Check out their website here, or like their Facebook page!

Not sure where to begin with volunteering? We have a wealth of resources to help new volunteers available here. 

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Organisation Spotlight: Beyond Blocks, and how Lego Robotics can make STEM Accessible

logo for beyond blocks who deliver lego robotics sessions

Today’s organisation spotlight is on Beyond Blocks, which aims to introduce children to programming and engineering through a medium they’re familiar with – Lego. Beyond Blocks packs problem solving, communication and presentation skills into fun and immersive ninety minute sessions delivered after school. In this interview, its founder and lead teacher, Andy Hoang, takes us through Lego Robotics, Beyond Blocks’ mission, and how Lego can play a part in making STEM education more accessible.

Hello! Please could you introduce yourself, and tell us a little about Beyond Blocks?

I’m Andy Hoang, I set up beyond blocks over 3 years ago to build beyond Lego instructions. I wanted kids to get more out of buying Lego – instead of just only building the model, following the instructions and then just buying another Lego model. 

Beyond Blocks focuses on building great people through Lego, and the bulk of our work is in Lego Robotics, teaching children how to program through Lego. This builds up teamwork, communication, resilience and listening skills. Beyond Blocks is about building character through complex challenges – programming is hard, you’re going to fail over and over and over again. It’s about knowing that if there’s a problem it can be broken down, recognising patterns and getting children to pull up their socks and know they aren’t going to give up immediately. 

Lego gives children permission to solve problems on their own. Because kids are so used to putting bricks on top of each other, when you bring that into the classroom, you’re teaching children with a medium that they know and love.

Could you tell us a little more about Lego Robotics? How would a Lego Robotics Club session usually go?

Usually in a Beyond Blocks session, children will be paired up and build a model based on the same instructions. We’ll then teach them how to bring that model alive through programming. Children need to work out the steps to have a model come alive – for instance they’ll need to figure out when a motor needs to turn on, which way it goes and why.

Our groups work with the same instructions, but each pair considers a series of increasingly difficult problems to solve. Because these are Lego models, each pair will end up with a completely unique model. They might add different functions to their model or add decorations. Because these children have made these changes, they take ownership of the project because they’ve spent ages building this thing. 

By the end of the session, each pair will present their model to the group – encouraging presentation skills and improving their self-confidence. 

What can volunteers learn by becoming a Lego Robotics Club Leader?

Beyond Blocks’ mission is that we build great people using Lego, and this doesn’t just apply to the kids. It’s the staff, it’s the parents and the teachers. Beyond Blocks volunteers are trained up in the technical aspects of programming and running a Lego robotics class. 

The position of Lego Robotics Volunteer is about supporting libraries to deliver Lego Robotics clubs for free. I’m looking for potential volunteers who want to make a difference with regard to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in their communities. 

There is a need for quality STEM education for parts of society – especially those who might not have access to Lego kits. In other countries people have the chance to be at the forefront of a revolution of education in the form of Lego Robotics. 

I’d like volunteers to see how much of an impact Lego robotics can have on children. I hope potential Beyond Blocks volunteers will gain skills to get into education as a career. I’d also like to move them to paid work – we’ve got a lot of demand for teachers in Beyond Blocks. 

I also do a lot of volunteering for the Institute of Engineering and Technology – they’re keen to see more Lego Robotics Clubs in London. We want engineering education out to the masses – and I want it here in Kingston, on my doorstep. Lots of libraries here want to see more Lego Robotics Clubs too, but they just don’t have the volunteers. 

Finally, any funny stories from previous Lego Robotics Clubs?

Last year I was called up by Lego to be on their 90th anniversary billboard. They were asking for 90 Lego fans, so I asked around the Robotics Clubs I was running. I and some of the Lego Robotics club members had our photo taken by Rankin. 

The funniest bit was that the photo came out the day before it was supposed to. The day before the photo came out, one of the students photographed, Clara, was at the Science Museum at South Kensington on a school trip. The class noticed all the photographs of Lego fans and recognised Clara – and she became their superstar for the day!

Lego 90th Anniversary Poster, featuring Andy and Lego Robotics Club Members!
Lego 90th Anniversary Poster, featuring Andy and Lego Robotics Club Members! Photograph by Beyond Blocks.

Beyond Blocks is currently looking for volunteers to deliver free Lego Robotics Club Session in Kingston Libraries. Want to help make STEM Education more exciting and accessible to kids? Become a volunteer and apply here.

Are you interested in learning about Lego Robotics and Beyond Blocks? Check out their website here, or follow them on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram!

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The Change That Stays

change in volunteering

Change, it is such a multi-use word. It can relate to tyres, the weather, my mood or the country. It is a word that has been doing a lot of heavy lifting in the UK media over the last two months and is lined up for a lot of use for the rest of the year. “Vive le changement” as they say where I will be holidaying soon. 

If we have learnt anything from the history of the last 15 years, it is surely that change comes at you whether you asked for it or not! The question for the Voluntary Sector, and those whose commitment to helping see positive change in others circumstances, is how we ensure that we can be the change we want to see? 

Whether it’s promoting and inspiring or strengthening the diversity of contribution, we can’t be static in the honeymoon months of a new Government. Whether for national campaigning groups, service delivery organisations, mutual aid or every town, villages, suburban entities, the need for those at the cutting edges, areas largely vacated by public services, to be the force for positive change is paramount. The experience of volunteers, seeing the reality of people’s lives, is what really matters and can bring and influence wider change.

Volunteering and Change

Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis opened eyes to how vital the on the ground capacity of volunteering and volunteers is. With that comes power and responsibility. The power is quickly manifesting itself in this “fresh start” with a new, more collaborative approach promised towards our sector from National Government. We have a responsibility here, should good intentions turn into positive action, to ensure said approach is never taken away again. We are serious people in serious times. 

In a world where the loudest voice isn’t always the most perceptive or productive and where attention spans can be short it is imperative, that our individual and collective experience helps shape the future and ensures any substantive change is helpful. Volunteering is the quickest and most effective way to bring change. Whether it is just small scale or the first step in a thousand-mile march, our contribution is the change that is needed everywhere.   

Michael Green. Project Manager, Volunteering Kingston. 

July 2024. 

Want to begin volunteering and bring positive changes to Kingston? Browse roles on our Team Kinetic Site. Alternatively, see how volunteering organisations manifest these changes in our most recent spotlight story!