Post | December 2022 | For volunteers | 3 min read

Gill's Story

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Image shows two volunteers dressed in Christmas jumpers hugging each other and smiling at the camera.

Thanks to the soaring cost-of-living, providing a magical Christmas experience has never been harder for struggling families. Read how volunteer, Gill (pictured above right), is making a difference to the lives of local children and parents this festive season.

By day, Gill Harrison works for local charity, Spark Somerset, as an Open Mental Health Community Engagement worker, developing opportunities and resources to support those struggling with their mental health. During the festive season, she also volunteers as one of Santa’s helpers to deliver a little happiness to children in Taunton and Wincanton.

It all started back in 2015, when Gill's friend - a teacher at a Taunton primary school - came to her with a tale that broke her heart. Two students had approached Gill’s friend, each holding the gold foil wrapper from a small piece of chocolate, and told her they were the only Christmas presents they had received that year. Shocked, moved, and emotional, Gill saw that there was a need within her community for a scheme that would help ensure all local children can have something under the tree at Christmas, regardless of their family's financial situation.

With that, the Christmas Sparkle Project was born.

The premise of the project's operation is straight-forward; members of the public are encouraged to donate gifts for children at a number of drop-off points across the area. They are then collected and put into parcels with other items to be gifted to local children. In its first year, the Project ran for eight weeks and saw 500 gifts generously donated across the Taunton area. Since then, it has expanded significantly, with 8,000 items put into 2,231 gift boxes this year alone – a remarkable show of support for families who need it most.

“It’s a proper community project,” Gill explains. “Everyone who hears about it wants to get involved.”

But there is much more to the community involvement than the donation of gifts. With so many presents to wrap before they're delivered, the Christmas Sparkle Project holds Wrapping Events during the lead up to the holidays. Volunteers from age 12 and upwards are welcome to come along and spend a few hours putting parcels together, like the elves in Santa’s workshop. This year, over 40 individuals volunteered to wrap gifts, including volunteers from MyDay, a service for adults with learning disabilities - and young people completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“People really get into the spirit of it and some even get dressed up,” Gill says.

As is the case with a number of groups and projects across the voluntary and community sector, the fallout of the cost-of-living crisis is becoming increasingly apparent to Gill and the Christmas Sparkle team. The project has seen a 45% rise in requests for gifts this year as more and more families are beginning to feel the pinch. However, in true festive spirit, this need was met by a huge swell in donated gifts and generous financial contributions from local businesses.

“It is very sad that we have seen such an increase,” Gill explains, “but I am grateful for and heartened by the kindness and generosity of the local community who have given so much more this year to enable us to meet the demand.

“Christmas is a time of giving; a chance to look outward into our communities and see what we can offer to those who need it most, and this year it feels more crucial than ever. The magic of the season is something we should all enjoy but for children, it’s even more important.

"If you can volunteer with us - do. Let's make Christmas sparkle for every child."

A parent of a child who benefitted from the project explains: "My little boy’s face lit up when he picked up his present from school. He's had a tough few years and your present has lifted his spirt and shown him how our communities look after those who are vulnerable."

If you would like to support Gill and The Christmas Sparkle Project next year, please get in touch via their Facebook page. If you've been inspired to volunteer in 2023, see what other opportunities are available via the link below.

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Photograph of Harry smiling at the camera

Harry's Story: Building career confidence through volunteering 

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Harry finished university this year and moved home, uncertain about his next steps. He visited the Job centre who recommended he try volunteering, so he chose to join the Spark iT Digital Café in at the Hub in Bridgwater. "I use a computer all the time, so I thought it was a good fit," Harry explains. "It's been a good way to get my confidence up. Each week I speak to someone new and I've got something to talk to them about." Harry helps with everything from sorting out SIM cards and Facebook accounts to council tax queries. "Sometimes it's very specific questions, but mostly it's standard to me. Everything today is online, which is very difficult for some people but really simple for me. I just hope I can help everyone learn." As well as supporting others, the experience has meant Harry feels ready to find employment. "I have more confidence speaking to people. I went straight through school, college, university, and coming here and volunteering makes me more ready for work . It's meeting new people in a new environment. It's hard to find a job and I'm doing everything I can, but now I'm not avoiding things. I've had a fresh start. I'm talking to people and I want to carry on doing it." If you would like to volunteer as a Digital Champion like Harry, click the link below to see the current opportunities on the Spark iT profile page.

Therapeutic volunteer to supportive peer – Jaki's story

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When Jaki first moved to Somerset in 2022, she was looking for a fresh start. Having spent most of her life caring for others, she hadn’t had the space to look after her own mental wellbeing. After joining a Health and Wellbeing Workshop at Ark at Egwood , Jaki realised just how lonely she’d become and how much she’d been masking her emotions. To break that cycle and to find out who she was again, Jaki became a volunteer with the charity – a place where she felt it was okay to not be okay. "I’ve progressed from a Therapeutic Volunteer to a Peer Champion, Mentor, and Co‑Facilitator, and my role keeps growing as new opportunities come up," she explains. "I support people one‑to‑one and in group sessions, and co‑facilitate the Live Well With Pain 11‑week workshop, drawing on my training and lived experience. "I recently spoke at a Live Well with Pain conference, sharing my journey and the value of peer support. It’s at the heart of everything I do, creating a space where people feel heard, understood, and able to engage at their own pace. "As someone with lived experience, I bring a peer perspective that helps create a safe, supportive environment for others. My involvement also helps demonstrate the value of peer-led support and recovery journeys. "Volunteering has helped rebuild my confidence and sense of identity. I didn’t expect how much I would grow from feeling anxious and overwhelmed to co-facilitating groups and speaking at events. It has reduced my isolation, given me purpose, and helped me understand myself better." Jon Richards, Armed Forces Lead for the charity, says Jaki is the voice of lived experience within the session facilitation team. He continues: “The feedback we have had from each of the workshops she’s led has included comments about how people who live with persistent pain have found themselves again, reporting both improved mental health and more confidence in managing their lives and chronic conditions.” Since joining Ark at Egwood, Jaki has gone from feeling like she’s lost herself to slowly rediscovering who she is: "I’ve built meaningful relationships, developed new skills, and taken opportunities I never imagined I’d be capable of. "I would recommend volunteering because it can be a powerful step in your own recovery and personal development. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m passionate about helping others see that they are capable, too." Want to help make a difference where you live? Find the opportunity for you below.

Get ready for Volunteers' Week

| For volunteers

We’re looking ahead to one of the key moments in the volunteering calendar — Volunteers’ Week 2026. This year’s celebrations run from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 June and offer a chance to recognise the spirit of volunteering and thank the people who give their time to support our communities. If you’d like to shine a spotlight on a volunteer by sharing their fantastic contribution, we’d love to hear their stories. We’re particularly keen to highlight people who have overcome barriers to get involved, like Ryley, Cole or Beki who we’ve featured previously. Get in touch if you have a story you would like to share. You can also thank your existing volunteers and encourage others to give their time by: Completing and sharing our downloadable certificate with your volunteers Adding your current opportunities to the platform Sharing your stories on social media using the #VolunteersWeek and #VolunteerInSomerset hashtags Hosting a Big Lunch for your volunteers and community Discover more ways to celebrate on the Volunteers’ Week website .