And honestly? I completely get it. That feeling of wanting to do something meaningful but not having a clue where to begin. It can be really daunting. You start second-guessing yourself. “Do I have the right skills?” “Will I just get in the way?” “Is there even a role for someone like me?”
I’ve been there. And what I’ve learned — especially through my work across Buckinghamshire — is that you don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. In fact, most people don’t.
When I first began volunteering and working with community groups, I didn’t have a clear map or any fancy qualifications. I just had this pull to do something — to be useful, to contribute, to connect. I didn’t even know what I could offer. But I said yes to small things. And from there, it grew.
Over the past year, I’ve travelled all over Bucks — from Aylesbury to Wycombe, Chesham to Bletchley, and places in between — collecting stories from volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. You know what nearly all of them have in common?
They didn’t think they had much to offer at the start either. They just turned up.
That’s really where it begins: with showing up. You don’t have to know your “thing” before you start. You don’t need a certificate in people skills or a background in social care. You don’t need to be super confident. You just need to be willing.
I met a retired man in Amersham who thought he was “too old to be useful” — and now he’s part of a volunteer team at the Mounted Police stables, bringing a bit of laughter, calm, and support to staff working long, isolated shifts. He didn’t come in with horse experience. He just brought a good attitude and time. That was enough.
In Milton Keynes, I interviewed a young woman who started volunteering at a community café, helping people struggling with the cost of living. She told me, “I didn’t think I was good at anything except chatting — and now people wait for me to be on shift.” That’s a skill. People skills are real skills. So are kindness, patience, humour, and turning up when you say you will.
If you’re thinking, “I want to help but I don’t know where I fit,” my honest advice is:
Try something. Anything. Start small.
Maybe there’s a one-off event happening near you. There are often local calls for help in places like Buckingham Town Council, community allotments, or even through groups like Community Impact Bucks, who connect volunteers to local opportunities.
You could help set up tables, run a tea station, steward at an exhibition, chat to visitors, sort donated clothes, or pack boxes at a food bank. It doesn’t sound fancy — but these roles keep communities going. They matter.
Sometimes the thing you’re good at is something you’ve never even had the chance to try. I’ve seen people step into roles and light up. A teenager who fixed a broken chair at a youth club and ended up running DIY sessions. A mum in High Wycombe who started helping out at a playgroup and realised she had a real gift for calming kids down. None of these people knew beforehand what they’d be good at. They discovered it by doing.
And I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating — especially for anyone in Bucks who feels unsure:
You don’t have to be brilliant to be useful. You just have to care.
I’ve also found that volunteering in Buckinghamshire comes with something extra — a sense of connection to the place. Whether you’re in a town like Marlow, a rural village, or a bustling spot like MK Central, there’s something grounding about doing something positive in your own county. You’re not just giving back — you’re shaping the place you live in.
And don’t worry if you try something and it’s not quite right. That’s part of the process too. It’s not a failure — it’s just feedback. Maybe sorting food parcels isn’t your thing, but chatting to people in a waiting room is. Maybe admin sends you to sleep, but painting a mural with a youth group makes you feel alive. It’s all part of working out what fits.
One of the biggest myths I’d love to bust is this idea that helping others means you’ve got to be “sorted” yourself. That’s not true. Some of the kindest, most impactful volunteers I’ve met are people who’ve been through tough times — and that’s what gives them the empathy and patience to support others. Your experiences, whatever they are, are part of what makes you valuable.
So if you’re in Buckinghamshire and you’re hovering on the edge of getting involved, here’s my invitation to you:
Take the first step. Even if you feel unsure. Even if you think you’ve got nothing special to offer.
Because you do.
If you’re not sure where to start, groups like Volunteer Matching via Community Impact Bucks, or even parish councils, church halls, youth centres, or local museums are often crying out for extra hands — even just for one day a month. Reach out. Ask them. Say: “I’m not sure what I’m good at, but I’d like to help.” That’s a sentence that opens doors.
And if you’re still doubting yourself, think of this: some of the most meaningful moments I’ve seen in my work came not from grand gestures, but from small, quiet acts. A smile. A cuppa. A listening ear. Someone cleaning a water trough at a horse yard because the grooms were exhausted. That’s what makes a difference. Not heroics. Just care.
So here’s my answer, if you’re still wondering how to start:
Start where you are. Use what you’ve got. Do what you can.
Buckinghamshire is full of places and people who need that — and trust me, there’s a role for you here somewhere.
You might not know what you’re good at yet — but the only way to find out is by giving it a go.
And once you do, I promise, you’ll be glad you started.
