I started volunteering in 2020, and honestly, it all began quite simply. I spotted an application for Aylesbury Youth Town Council in my school magazine. It had been put into the school newsletter too, so it was right there in front of me. At the time, I wasn’t really doing many extracurricular activities beyond my guitar lessons, some music theory classes, and Irish dancing. I had quite a bit of free time, and I thought, “This looks fun, why not?” So, I filled in the application form. That small decision set me on a path that has now shaped nearly five and a half years of my life.
Of course, the timing couldn’t have been more unusual — almost immediately, we went into Covid lockdown. Suddenly, this new adventure in volunteering started not in town halls or community centres, but in my own kitchen, over Zoom. We had online meetings, but we didn’t just sit there talking. To make it fun, we cooked along together. One time we all made soup, another time we baked. Each of us was in our own kitchen, on video call, following the same recipe and laughing as things went wrong or right. It wasn’t the usual way to start volunteering, but it was a creative way to stay connected in such a strange time.
When restrictions eased and we could finally meet in person, that’s when I really got into the rhythm of volunteering. I began helping at the Town Council’s community events — Parklife weekend, Christmas on the Cobbles, and more. The first year I did Parklife, I was on the mayor’s tea and coffee stall, raising money for charity. Later, we added more fun things like glitter tattoos, which were always popular with kids.
It was through these events that I started making friends. I met people like Dan, Sibs, and others from the event crew. I got to know fellow volunteers such as Allison and Lauren. Those friendships turned out to be one of the best things about volunteering. I quickly realised this wasn’t just about giving my time — it was about being part of something bigger, together.
From there, my journey branched out. In late 2023, Ruth asked me if I’d be interested in something Alistair was setting up. He had founded a charity called Aylesbury Community Pride and invited me to join the committee. I said yes, and since November 2023 I’ve been volunteering with ACP too, mainly looking after their communications and social media.
That role opened up a whole new side of volunteering. In 2024, ACP held its first Pride in the Park, tied in with the council’s Parklife weekend. It was a huge moment, celebrating diversity and inclusion in Aylesbury. Since then, we’ve held film screenings at the Waterside Theatre, including the film Pride, we’ve organised Drag Nights, and we’ve hosted our main Pride on Stage event at the theatre. Standing on stage with the rest of the committee, seeing the audience celebrate and connect, was something I’ll never forget.
Back with the Youth Town Council, we didn’t just focus on events. We also supported local charities. For example, we worked with the food bank. Once a month, they put together family boxes — enough essentials for a family of four — and we helped pack them. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it mattered. We’d follow the checklist: tins of fruit and vegetables, soup, dried pasta, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes. Packing those boxes reminded me how volunteering isn’t always about being visible at big events. Sometimes it’s about rolling up your sleeves and quietly making sure families get what they need.
Over the years, the mayor’s chosen charities gave us a chance to support different causes too: the PACE Centre, Bucks Mind, and most recently Florence Nightingale Hospice. Each time, we’d organise fundraisers or stalls to raise money. That variety kept things interesting.
When I think back to why I started, it was mainly just to fill my time. But that motivation has changed so much. Now, I do it because I love it. Volunteering has given me so much — friendships, skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
I used to be shy. Speaking to strangers terrified me. Standing on a stage? Forget it. But volunteering forced me out of that comfort zone. When you’re on a market stall raising money, you have to stop people, explain the charity, convince them to take part. At first, I dreaded it, but over time it got easier. Now, I don’t even think twice about it. I’ve spoken on stage at Pride, helped run events, and regularly talk to groups of people. That’s a transformation I never expected.
It’s also shaped my personality. Before volunteering, I think I defined myself too much by what others liked or thought. I worried about fitting in. But when I started volunteering, people sometimes said things like, “Why waste your time doing that for free?” And I had this moment of clarity: why should I care what others think? Volunteering gave me independence, a stronger sense of self, and the freedom to just be me.
And it’s fun. With the Pride committee especially, we’re all friends as well as teammates. We go out together now that I’m an adult — nights out, drinks, just normal stuff. That social side keeps me going. It doesn’t feel like a chore; it feels like something I want to do, the same way you might want to go to the gym or play a sport.
Along the way, I’ve encouraged others to get involved too. My best friend Sophie joined the Youth Town Council for a while before heading off to university in Sheffield. She’s even volunteered at Pride events with me. My younger sister is now on the Youth Town Council as well. It’s great to know I’ve passed the torch a little bit.
There have been challenges, of course. I can be stubborn, and at times it’s been hard learning to listen to other perspectives. But I’ve got better at that. Events don’t always run smoothly either. I’ll never forget Live in the Park 2023 — the rain was relentless. We were soaked through in the info tent, but we kept going, kept smiling, and kept the event alive. Those moments test you, but they also bond you.
The rewards far outweigh the challenges. Seeing an event come together, or knowing the money you raised will support a vital cause — it’s such a good feeling. And then there’s the pride you feel when your family recognises it too. My parents are proud of what I’ve done, and that matters.
Volunteering has changed me into someone more empathetic, confident, and community-minded. It’s taught me that there are countless ways to give your time — from litter picking to running social media for a charity. Some roles are visible, like charity shop workers or fundraisers on the high street. Others are hidden, like neighbours quietly checking in on someone elderly every week. They’re all important, and they all count.
What I’ve also learned is that volunteering isn’t just about giving — it’s about receiving too. Of the 50+ stories collected in this project so far, many show that only 20–30% of volunteering is about helping others. The rest is about what you gain yourself — friendships, skills, experiences, even employment opportunities. I’ve seen that in my own journey.
Looking ahead, I know volunteering will always be part of my life. I may have to step down from the Youth Town Council now that I’ve reached the age limit, but I’ll keep supporting their events, especially Parklife and Christmas on the Cobbles. Those two are my favourites. I have no intention of leaving Aylesbury Community Pride either. If anything, I hope to keep growing it, building more events that bring people together. Because in a world full of negativity and division, these moments of community matter more than ever.
If someone asked me for advice about volunteering, I’d say: go for it. Keep an open mind. Don’t focus on the fact that you’re giving your time for free. Think about the good that comes out of it — for others, yes, but also for yourself. It will boost your confidence, enhance your CV, give you life skills, and most importantly, make you feel good.
In the end, volunteering is about doing good in your own free time. It doesn’t have to look a certain way. It doesn’t have to be a “set path.” It could be helping at a food bank, running social media, packing boxes, fundraising, or just being a supportive neighbour. All volunteering is equal. And for me, it’s become more than just something I do. It’s part of who I am.
