I volunteer with Thames Valley Police as a Special Constable, and it has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. When I first applied back in early 2020, I had just started studying for my Law degree. At that time, my main aim was to gain experience within the criminal justice system. I’d read about the Special Constable role online and realised it closely matched the kind of experience I was hoping for — only it offered far more.
That decision to apply changed the course of my life. I was attested in February 2020, and over the past five years I’ve taken on a variety of roles. I started as a Special Constable, later became a LGBT+ Liaison Officer, and in January 2025 I stepped into leadership as a Special Sergeant. Each stage has brought new responsibilities, fresh challenges, and greater opportunities to make a difference.
When I first began, my motivation was straightforward: experience. I wanted to build up my knowledge and apply what I was learning in my degree to real life. But over time, as I’ve developed within the role, my reasons for staying have shifted. It’s no longer about collecting experience for a CV. It’s about people — the impact you can have on someone’s life in their moment of need, and the privilege of being trusted to help.
Policing is demanding. No two shifts are the same. You never really know what the next call will bring, and you are constantly learning on your feet. That’s one of the things I enjoy most: the variety, the unpredictability, the chance to test yourself in new situations. But above all, it’s the human connection. Whether I’m responding to an incident, engaging with a community group, or supporting a colleague, it’s the ability to make a difference in that moment that motivates me.
Volunteering has also helped me connect more deeply with the communities I serve. I’ve built relationships with local partners and agencies — people I might never otherwise have worked alongside — and I’ve seen first-hand how much stronger we are when we act as a team. That collaboration is essential. It shows people that we’re not just turning up in uniform, but that we’re part of a wider network of support.
Of course, volunteering comes with challenges. Balancing my full-time job alongside my police duties has not always been easy. My employer isn’t signed up to the Employer Supported Policing Scheme, which means I’ve had to use annual leave to fulfil certain duties and events. With most jobs offering around 28–30 days of leave each year, and with holidays and personal commitments to juggle, it has sometimes been difficult to manage. Thankfully, with the support of my supervisors — both in policing and in my day job — I’ve been able to find ways around it. Flexibility has been key. Sometimes I’ve been allowed to switch days off rather than sacrifice leave, and that has made all the difference.
Despite these hurdles, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. The most rewarding part of volunteering with Thames Valley Police is the knowledge that what you do matters. Whether it’s resolving a situation, helping someone feel safe again, or simply being a calm presence when everything else is chaotic, the impact is real. You might not always get a thank you, but you can see it in people’s eyes when relief washes over them. Those are the moments you hold on to.
Volunteering has changed me as a person. It has made me more confident, not only in uniform but in everyday life. It has sharpened my awareness — I’m far more vigilant now, far more observant of my surroundings. Communication has been another big area of growth. Policing requires you to adapt constantly — to speak to a child one moment, a distressed victim the next, and perhaps a hostile individual soon after. Learning to shift my communication style to suit each situation has been invaluable, and it’s a skill I know will serve me far beyond volunteering.
Looking back over the past five years, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Starting as a nervous recruit eager to gain experience, I’ve now taken on leadership as a Special Sergeant, with responsibilities for mentoring newer colleagues and supporting their development. That, in itself, has been hugely rewarding. To be able to pass on what I’ve learned, to help someone else find their feet and grow in confidence, feels like coming full circle.
Looking ahead, I can say with certainty that I plan to continue volunteering. This isn’t just something I do in my spare time. It’s become part of who I am. Supporting communities, mentoring colleagues, engaging with people at their most vulnerable — these things give me a sense of purpose that nothing else quite matches. As long as I’m able, I’ll carry on serving.
To anyone thinking about volunteering, my advice is simple: do it. There are so many roles out there — whether in policing, healthcare, community groups, or charities — and each one comes with unique opportunities to grow. The training and skills you’ll gain are unlike anything else. More importantly, the experiences you’ll have and the people you’ll meet will stay with you for life.
Volunteering isn’t about giving up your time. It’s about giving your heart. When you choose to step forward, to serve, to help, you’re not just making a difference to others — you’re changing yourself too.
So yes — do something special. You won’t regret it.
