Spotlight on the Power of Volunteering
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.
Much of the work so far has been behind the scenes — the kind of slow, steady stuff that makes everything else possible. Reaching out to organisations, making introductions, explaining the heart of the project, and juggling what has quickly become a packed and ever-growing diary. It's been a lot of calls, a lot of emails, and more tea than is probably healthy. But it's working. Stories are coming in thick and fast now — and each one adds something powerful to the bigger picture.
We've spoken to fourteen volunteers so far, aged between sixteen and sixty-nine, and every single conversation has revealed something unexpected. These are people giving their time to food banks, youth groups, catering projects, homeless shelters, the Coroner's Court, and Thames Valley Police. Some are offering meals, others are offering comfort, some are literally walking people through crisis. But none of them make a fuss. They just do what needs doing — week in, week out. Not one of them sees what they do as remarkable. But after sitting down and hearing their stories, I can say without hesitation — they absolutely are.
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.
One of the things we always ask is, "What do you enjoy about volunteering?" And the responses have been far richer than we expected.
People talk about making a real difference — not in a grand, dramatic sense, but in a quiet, practical one. Helping others in ways that are visible and immediate. Whether it's handing out a food parcel, sewing a coat, giving advice, or just being present without judging — people know when they've done something that mattered.
"I don't fix things. I just listen. And most of the time, that's all people need."
Connection is a big one too. A lot of people spoke about how volunteering helped them meet new people, form new friendships, and feel like part of something. For some, like those at Restore Hope, it's become a second home — a place where they feel known, trusted, and valued.
Learning came up in nearly every chat. People have gained new skills — everything from admin and mentoring to zip repair and public speaking. But more than that, they've learned about themselves. They've built confidence, handled challenges, and discovered strengths they didn't know they had.
And here's the bit that catches people off guard — it's fun. Genuinely. Volunteering isn't all serious faces and spreadsheets. There's laughter. Camaraderie. Unexpected moments of joy. Just ask Zoe, one of our volunteers who supports police training by playing different characters in role play scenarios. She gets "arrested four times a day" and absolutely loves it. Volunteering gave her a way to use her love of acting without the pressure of full-time performance. Others told us it simply gives their week structure — something to get up for, something to look forward to, and something that feels meaningful.
Some of the most powerful stories have come from people who've been through incredibly tough times — addiction, homelessness, long-term mental health struggles. For them, volunteering wasn't just about giving back. It was about rebuilding. Rediscovering who they were. One man told us, "I just wanted to be the person I needed when I was struggling." That hit hard — and it's stayed with us since.
Volunteering gave them more than purpose. It gave them dignity, identity, and a reason to believe they still had something to offer. And once they started helping others, the change was unmistakable — not just in how others saw them, but in how they saw themselves.
We always ask what it feels like. Not just what they do, but what it means. And what we've heard has been honest, moving, and full of life.
People said they felt useful. Like they mattered. Like they had something to offer — and that offer was accepted. They felt proud, but not in a flashy way. More in a "quiet satisfaction" kind of way — because they knew they'd made a difference.
Some said it gave them a sense of control or power — the good good kind. The kind that comes from turning difficult life experiences into something positive. Others described it as healing. Volunteering was part of getting themselves back — piece by piece, week by week. There was joy too. Real joy. Moments of laughter, silliness, and genuine warmth. And almost everyone said they felt more connected — to people, to community, and to a bigger purpose.
And then there were the ones who just said they felt humbled. By the stories they heard. By the people they met. By the chance to help without judgement, without conditions, and without needing anything in return.
Some quotes will stay with us for a long time. Clem said, "It keeps me going." Melanie said, "It's about being part of something bigger." Kei told us, "You get back just as much as you give." Nicholas said, "It changed how I see myself." Zoe said, “It helped me feel like me again.” Lady Howe told us, “I feed off the energy of others.” And Dai, as straight-talking as ever, said, “If you’ve been given a decent life, the least you can do is give some of it back.”
The stories we’ve heard so far have been honest, funny, raw, and deeply human. And the best part? We’re just getting started. More voices are waiting to be heard. More diaries are being filled. More lives are quietly being changed by the simple act of showing up. If you’ve got a story — or know someone who has — we’d love to hear from you. Because when we listen, really listen, we start to understand what community actually looks like. And that understanding might just change everything.