Blog Posts
Mental health journey: Gabriella's story
"What works for me is simply getting out and walking in nature and journaling in the morning."
Meet ...
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Uncovering the past: Anthony's story
| For volunteers"To be involved with literally uncovering the past is something that I will always be grateful for."
See moreChampioning mental health: Clare's story
| For volunteersI'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and support I've been given; I don't see a future without ...
See moreNourishing communities: Kate's story
| For volunteers"It’s good to know that what you're doing is having a direct impact on people's lives."
See moreDead hedging on the Quantock Hills
| Corporate Volunteering"By encouraging corporate volunteer groups to explore nature restoration, we are setting a powerful example ...
See moreAdam's story
| For volunteers“My volunteer work has not only enriched my CV but has also been personally rewarding. It has provided me with ...
See moreDiversity in volunteering
| Home PageCreate a more inclusive and welcoming volunteering environment that reflects the diversity of your community.
See moreMichelle's story
| TrusteesAnyone can become a Trustee, regardless of their age or background! Michelle’s trustee career began in her ...
See moreTerence's story
| TrusteesI just couldn’t give up on life when there are others to whom I could offer my many years of experience to ...
See moreSara's story
| Trustees"My personal experiences have instilled a strong desire to ‘pay it forward’ and ensure that others have the ...
See moreWorld Mental Health Day
| Home PageWorld Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th every year, is an opportunity to raise awareness about ...
See moreCarole's story
| For volunteers"My own mental health has greatly improved since I started my volunteering and I no longer need a counselor ...
See moreJoanna's story
| For volunteers"Thanks to my volunteering, I am busy, fulfilled and feel part of a community that I really care about."
See moreVolunteer Voices panel
| Home PageA big thank you to those who attended our July Volunteer Coordinators Forum, especially our wonderful ...
See moreThe Turner & Townsend team visit West Hatch Animal Centre
| Corporate Volunteering"On the volunteering day, we got to meet new people and work together as a team towards a great outcome."
See moreMoving more together
"My volunteering gives me a feeling of self-worth and appreciation for life."
See moreThe power of listening: Maisy's volunteering story
| For volunteersI find myself looking forward to my shifts because the feeling you get when you have helped make a stranger ...
See moreAlison's volunteering story
| For volunteers"It has given me a lovely group of friends and makes my ‘bad years’ worthwhile."
See moreMary's story
| For volunteersI enjoy volunteering with Alive because I can utilise my area of interest and expertise to help others ...
See moreAbby's volunteering story
| For volunteers“I would recommend that others volunteer as you learn a lot about yourself as well as gaining valuable ...
See moreThe Big Help Out at Thurlbear School
| Home PageEarlier this month, as part of The Big Help Out campaign, thousands of organisations and community groups ...
See moreWayne shares his love for cars and volunteering
| For volunteers“It is a great buzz working with the team and meeting like-minded friends."
See moreAdder surveying on the Quantock Hills
| Corporate Volunteering"It was wonderful to be out of the office for the day in the fresh air and surrounded by nature on the ...
See moreThe Novanta Technologies Team visit The Geranium Trust
| Corporate VolunteeringEarlier this year, a team of volunteers from Novanta Technologies braved the cold to enjoy a day of tree ...
See moreThe Lendology team visit ARK at Egwood
| Corporate VolunteeringLendology is a not for profit organisation working in partnership with local councils to provide affordable ...
See moreThe Somerset Positive People team visit Carymoor Environmental Centre
| Corporate Volunteering“We contacted Spark Somerset as we were looking for a volunteering opportunity that would help us get outside ...
See moreChris's Story
| For volunteers"I think if you have received help that has been of a benefit to you and established a strong ‘wellness ...
See moreJohanna's Story
| For volunteers“I recommend that others volunteer as not only is it a great opportunity to be part of something bigger and ...
See moreGill's Story
| For volunteersRead how volunteer, Gill, is making a difference to the lives of local children and parents this festive ...
See moreEsther's story
| For volunteers“I get to meet and chat with some really lovely and interesting people, and I really enjoy seeing volunteers ...
See moreLouise's story
| Trustees"Trusteeship gives me a focus and a sense of achievement and has enabled me to meet loads of fantastic ...
See moreKaruna's Story
| Trustees“Being part of the team here has allowed me to learn, form deep friendships, make a small difference towards ...
See moreGrahame's Story
| TrusteesGrahame is Chair of Trustees at Spark Somerset and has a career spanning health and social care, education, ...
See moreAlison's Story
| For volunteersSince retiring, Alison Templeton, who worked in a variety of roles within local authorities, has returned to ...
See moreSue's Story
| Trustees“If you are interested in becoming a Trustee, I would highly recommend it. You can pursue your interests and ...
See moreSarah's Story
| Trustees"It’s empowering to know I that can use my skills for the benefit of the school, my son and other children ...
See moreLinda's Story
| TrusteesLinda Pigott-Vijeh has a background in publicity and marketing and has been a Trustee for various charities ...
See moreNatalie's Story
| TrusteesNatalie, a solicitor from Taunton, has been a Trustee with St. Giles Animal Rescue since June 2020.
See moreGabi's Story
| For volunteersGabi was referred to the Open Mental Health Buddy scheme by her local job club. Due to long-term physical and ...
See moreHarmony Fire visit ARK at Egwood
| Corporate Volunteering"It was hugely beneficial for the team’s wellbeing. There's lot to be said for being outside in fresh air just ...
See moreEsmee's Story
| For volunteersEsmee, a level 3 Animal Studies student at Weston College, started volunteering with Prickles Hedgehog Rescue ...
See moreJane's Story
| For volunteersVolunteers’ have played a key role in the pandemic response. During an exceptionally difficult year, people ...
See moreSarah’s Team Beach Clean
| Corporate VolunteeringNow that her team can meet in person again, Sarah wanted to ensure that their first get together in 16 months ...
See moreEllimae's Story
| For volunteersToday is Power of Youth Day, an annual celebration of the contributions children and young people make through ...
See moreMel's Story
| TrusteesAt the heart of every charity and voluntary organisation is its board of trustees and together, they have one ...
See moreSimon's Story
| For volunteersSimon, known as ‘Woody Simon’, has been volunteering with ARK at Egwood CIC for about 2 years. Having spent 40 ...
See moreAlex's Story
| For volunteersAlex regularly volunteers in the natural environment, and for him the experience has been life-changing ...
See moreMessage of thanks from the High Sheriff of Somerset
A letter from the High Sheriff of Somerset to volunteers supporting the local vaccination programme ...
See moreCelebrating Somerset's Vital Volunteers
| For volunteersSpark Somerset have produced a special video to say a big 'thank you' to volunteers across Somerset.
Spark ...
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Getting the most out of volunteering
| For volunteersYou’re donating your valuable time, you want to get the most out of it, so it’s important that you enjoy and ...
See moreVolunteering from home
| For volunteersWhy volunteer from home?
The benefits of volunteering from home are immense, especially at this challenging ...
See moreThe benefits of volunteering from home are immense, especially at this challenging ...
Why People Volunteer
| For organisationsIf you ask a random selection of people why they volunteer, they will give a huge variety of reasons why they, ...
See moreVirtual Volunteering - Getting Started
| For organisationsVolunteering has changed dramatically over recent years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. From serving ...
See moreGet creative with volunteering opportunities
| For organisationsGetting new volunteers on board is an exciting, yet challenging, task. To turn clicks into volunteers you will ...
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