Spotlight on the Power of Volunteering - August Update
Pippa Kirkbride
High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire
Volunteering is more than just an act of service—it is a force for change, a bridge between communities, and a source of personal growth. Pippa is deeply committed to recognising and celebrating the power of volunteering. She believes that everyone, regardless of background or experience, has something valuable to offer. Whether it's supporting charities, mentoring young people, or helping to shape the justice sector, volunteering strengthens our communities and transforms lives. As part of her mission, Pippa is collaborating with Christopher James Hall, founder of Narrator's Lens CIC, to bring the stories of volunteers to life. Christopher's photography is more than just an art form—it is a tool for storytelling, a means to amplify voices, and a way to capture the resilience, dedication, and impact of those who give their time to help others. Having personally experienced homelessness, Christopher understands the power of being heard and seen. His work has been pivotal in shining a light on social challenges, from mental health to social exclusion, and now he is turning his lens to Buckinghamshire's volunteers. Through the High Sheriff's Volunteering Photography and Stories Project, he will document and share the journeys of those who dedicate themselves to making a difference, ensuring their contributions are recognized and appreciated.
Together, Pippa and Christopher hope to inspire others to step forward, get involved, and discover the true essence of volunteering—an experience that is as rewarding for the volunteer as it is for those they support.
Join them in celebrating the spirit of service and uncovering the powerful stories of Buckinghamshire's volunteers.
Since our June update, the strong connections made earlier this year have continued to deliver. The groundwork with community groups, charities, and networks is now producing a steady stream of volunteer stories with even greater variety. From conservation work and youth mentoring to parkrun marshalling, dementia cafés, foodbanks, and sighted guiding, the range of roles is widening. Volunteers are sharing more than just what they do — they’re opening up about the challenges they’ve faced, the turning points they’ve experienced, and the meaning they’ve found along the way. As one volunteer put it, “It’s not just about giving — you realise you’re getting just as much in return.”
We now have a total of 33 completed stories, each offering a unique perspective. Some reflect decades of consistent service, others are the voices of people who began volunteering only months ago. This collection includes volunteers who:
The common link is that every role, whether large or small, makes a visible difference — and every volunteer sees that difference for themselves. As one said after a litter-picking session, “Even though I’m just a kid, I can do something that makes a big difference.”
The calendar is getting full, and we're not slowing down. Over the next few weeks, we'll be meeting more youth volunteers, connecting with people involved in museum and heritage work, sitting down with those supporting people with dementia or sight loss, and visiting Waddesdon Manor. We're also revisiting Thames Valley Police to capture more behind-the-scenes voices.
The range is wide, but the goal is the same: to capture honest, human stories that show what volunteering actually looks like — without the filters, the fanfare, or the fluffy slogans.
The stories confirm some familiar motivations and introduce new ones. Many start because they “want to give back” or “be part of something,” but recent accounts also highlight how life transitions play a part — retirement, redundancy, moving to a new area, or recovering from illness. For some, it’s about regaining confidence after a difficult time. Others talk about using practical skills, such as cooking, admin, or mentoring, in ways that directly help others.
"I like feeling needed. I think I have this deep need to feel useful — like I've got a purpose."
This set of stories is full of turning points. A former foodbank client is now a peer mentor helping others through the same struggles. A volunteer driver who joined “just to get out of the house” now works side-by-side with conservation teams, learning new skills and building friendships. Another person, once nervous to speak in public, now confidently briefs first-time runners at parkrun. In the words of one volunteer, “It gave me structure when I had none. Purpose when I felt pointless. Focus when I was falling apart.”
Again and again, volunteers describe a deep sense of belonging. They talk about feeling valued, being part of a team, and making a real difference — sometimes through the smallest acts. One befriender recalls, “She introduced me to her neighbour and said, ‘This is my friend.’ I’ve never felt prouder of a title in my life.” Another reflects, “Volunteering turns your pain into purpose, your struggles into strength.” These are not abstract benefits — they are lived experiences, grounded in real relationships and shared moments.
The momentum is clear. With 33 completed stories gathered so far, we now have a strong base to identify recurring themes for exhibitions, publications, and policy discussions. The range of roles represented will help challenge stereotypes of who volunteers are and what they do. Our next focus is on reaching underrepresented voices, maintaining the pace of story collection, and finding more public ways to share them — inspiring others to step forward. As one volunteer said, “You don’t have to be well or perfect to make a difference — you just have to turn up.”