As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2026, the stories of Leone and Bob demonstrate that volunteering can be rewarding at any stage of life. Whether you’re a student looking to gain experience, a professional wanting to develop new skills, or a retiree hoping to give back, volunteering offers opportunities to make a real difference while gaining something valuable in return.

 

Although their backgrounds and life stages are very different, both Leone and Bob found purpose, fulfilment, and personal growth through volunteering with us. 

 

Building skills and confidence

 

When Leone began looking for volunteering opportunities in the Brighton area, she wanted to find something meaningful that would also help her gain experience.

 

That search led her to us and a role supporting the Neurodiversity Screening Service, where volunteers conduct neurodiversity profiling sessions for participants referred through the Behaviour Change Practice team and Sussex Probation.

 

Despite having no previous experience in the sector, Leone quickly discovered that volunteering was accessible with the right training and support.

 

“I didn’t have prior experience, but the training I received meant I still felt confident in the role,” Leone explains. “I think my customer service background helped and honestly, anyone who is patient and understanding has the potential to thrive.”

 

The role has allowed Leone to develop new skills while making an immediate impact on people’s lives.

 

“Conducting neurodiversity profiling is really rewarding because you can see positive changes straight away,” she said. “People can access diagnoses more quickly, receive more tailored support from probation officers and often gain a better understanding of their own emotions and behaviours.”

 

Since joining, Leone has expanded her volunteering into mentoring participants remotely, gaining further experience and confidence along the way.

 

“The support has been really good,” she said. “There are always people available if I need to chat or ask questions.”

 

For Leone, volunteering has provided valuable experience, increased confidence, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

 

“I would recommend volunteering to anyone. It’s fulfilling, worthwhile, and really good work experience – especially when it’s for such a good cause.”

 

Sharing experience and staying connected

 

At the other end of the career journey is Bob, who began volunteering after retirement.

 

Having spent many years working as a Community Payback Supervisor and mentoring ex-offenders, Bob wasn’t ready to stop supporting people when he retired.

 

“I wanted to volunteer because I had experience working with offenders and ex-offenders and understood the challenges they face,” Bob explains. “I hoped that experience could still be useful in helping people move forward.”

 

Today, Bob volunteers remotely, supporting participants with employment, accommodation, education and training opportunities. His extensive professional experience allows him to help people rebuild confidence and work towards a more stable future.

 

“I help participants on their journey towards finding employment or accommodation,” he says. “Sometimes I support someone to become self-employed or help them develop a business idea.”

 

For Bob, volunteering has provided a meaningful way to stay engaged in retirement while continuing to make a positive impact.

 

“The best thing is knowing someone might find a worthwhile path following a conviction,” he says.

 

One of the aspects he values most is the flexibility that remote volunteering provides.

 

“I said to my wife recently that it’s remarkable to be able to volunteer digitally in retirement,” he says. “I can do it anywhere and take my volunteering with me.”

 

Bob also highlights the support available to volunteers.

 

“I feel very supported as a volunteer,” he says. “There’s excellent IT support and access to plenty of online training, which really suits me.”

 

Different journeys, shared impact

 

While Leone and Bob come from very different backgrounds and generations, their experiences highlight a common truth: volunteering benefits both the people being supported and the volunteers themselves.

 

For younger volunteers, it can provide valuable work experience, new skills, confidence and career development opportunities. For retirees and those with established careers, it offers a chance to share knowledge, stay connected, maintain a sense of purpose and continue making a difference.

 

Interested in becoming a volunteer?

 

Volunteering offers flexible opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence, meet new people and support individuals on their journey towards positive change. Email us: volunteers@interventionsalliance.co.uk