I volunteer at Junior Parkrun — the weekly 2K run where kids turn up every Sunday morning to burn energy, chase personal bests, and start the day with something positive. It’s a small event, but it has a big impact. You can see it in the way they sprint, jog, skip, or sometimes just stubbornly shuffle their way round the course.
I first got involved because of my Bronze DofE. I needed a volunteering section, and Parkrun seemed like something I could actually enjoy. I didn’t expect to stick around afterwards… but here I am, more than three years later, still turning up in the cold, the rain, and the odd burst of sunshine.
Over that time, I’ve done pretty much every role going: marshalling, tailwalking, token scanning, parkwalking, funnel managing. If it’s on the rota, I’ve probably done it at least once.
What keeps me going is simple. I like waking up early and knowing I’m helping the kids who come every week. When they cross the finish line with those huge, satisfied grins, it’s hard not to feel proud of them — and a bit proud of myself too.
My reasons for volunteering have changed a lot since the DofE days. At first it was just a box to tick. Now it’s something I choose. Something I want to do. I like the feeling of doing a weekly good deed. It sets the tone for the rest of the day.
I also hope it sets me up for the future. Having volunteering experience will help with jobs one day, but more than that, I want the kids to feel excited enough to come back the following Sunday. If they look forward to it, I’ve done my part.
Volunteering has definitely helped me connect with people. I’ve learned how to talk to families who have been awake for about three seconds, and how to speak to young children in a way that’s encouraging rather than overwhelming. You pick these things up quickly at 8am in a field.
One moment sticks with me — I was parkwalking one morning and ended up chatting casually to another volunteer I’d never spoken to before. It was nothing dramatic, just a normal conversation, but it made me realise how easy it is to meet people when you’re all doing something for the same reason.
It’s affected my friendships too. Sometimes, if my friends stay over on a Saturday, they come along with me. It’s funny — they show up half asleep but end up enjoying it. A couple of them have even been inspired to volunteer themselves.
Not everything is easy. Bad weather is the main challenge. When it’s cold, wet, or icy, I have to stay alert and make sure the kids stay safe. I watch for slippery patches, puddles, or anything that could trip them up. Keeping warm becomes a skill of its own — probably my biggest life lesson so far.
But the best bit? Clapping the last child across the finish line. There’s something brilliant about being part of a moment that matters to them, even if they don’t realise it at the time.
Volunteering has changed me. I’m more focused, better with people, and definitely more aware of the world around me. It’s given me confidence in ways I didn’t expect.
Will I keep volunteering? Absolutely. I love the feeling I get afterwards — like I’ve already achieved something before most people have had their coffee.
If anyone’s thinking about giving it a try, I’d say this: even on days when you don’t feel your best, volunteering has a way of lifting you. It connects you with others, but it also connects you with yourself. And honestly, it just makes you feel happier.
