Case studies

Ron, Marauders Men’s Health

1 June 2026

After retiring from a long career in IT and training, Ron continued his lifelong commitment to volunteering by joining Marauders Men’s Health. Bringing decades of experience in charity governance and community work, he has found renewed purpose in supporting men’s wellbeing, staying active and helping create positive, connected spaces for others.

Ron, Marauders Men’s Health

Bailey, Welcome To Our Woods

1 June 2026

After discovering Welcome To Our Woods at a local job centre event, Bailey began volunteering and quickly developed new confidence and skills through hands-on conservation work. From learning about wildlife to taking on practical environmental tasks, he has become a reliable and valued part of the team, helping to restore and care for local green spaces while growing in knowledge and confidence.

Bailey, Welcome To Our Woods

Dominic, Llybrau

1 June 2026

After experiencing redundancy and a recent health diagnosis, Dominic began volunteering with Llybrau, where he is helping to develop a new group introducing young people to music festivals. Through this work, he has been able to rebuild social connections, reduce feelings of isolation, and find renewed purpose by contributing his experience and passion for community music projects.

Dominic, Llybrau

Paul, Reel Minds

1 June 2026

After discovering Reel Minds through social media, Paul turned his love of fishing and helping others into volunteering that supports people’s mental health and wellbeing. By creating calm, connection and confidence by the water, he has also found a positive impact on his own wellbeing while helping others grow and come out of their shells.

Paul, Reel Minds

Clare, 2 Wish

1 June 2026

After receiving support from 2wish following the tragic loss of her son, Clare chose to give back by becoming a volunteer with the charity. Now supporting other bereaved families, she uses her lived experience to offer understanding, comfort and hope, while also finding confidence, connection and a renewed sense of purpose.

Clare, 2 Wish

Shell, Comfort and Hope Bereavement Support

1 June 2026

After first joining Comfort and Hope Bereavement Support as a client following a personal bereavement, Shell discovered a natural ability to listen and support others. Encouraged to volunteer by the team, she now helps provide comfort, structure and companionship to others experiencing grief, while finding purpose, routine and connection herself.

Shell, Comfort and Hope Bereavement Support

Bob, Welcome Friends

1 June 2026

After retiring from a career in construction, Bob chose to use his time and people skills to support others through Welcome Friends. By providing companionship to older adults experiencing loneliness, he has helped people feel more connected while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges others face and the value of meaningful human connection.

Bob, Welcome Friends

Gaynor, The Lighthouse Project

1 June 2026

After retiring from a 43-year career in social work, Gaynor found a new sense of purpose through volunteering with The Lighthouse Project. What began as helping out at a baby and toddler group has grown into facilitating support sessions for people experiencing loneliness, isolation and bereavement, helping others build confidence, connection and friendship.

Gaynor, The Lighthouse Project

Catrin, Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taf

1 June 2026

After graduating from university and facing challenges finding work, Catrin turned to volunteering with Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taf to gain experience and give back to her community. Through her role as a generalist adviser, she has developed valuable skills, built confidence in a professional environment, and supported local people to access the help and guidance they need.

Catrin, Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taf

Beth, Volunteering Matters

1 June 2026

For more than a decade, this volunteer has been helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation through befriending roles with Volunteering Matters and the Royal Voluntary Service. Inspired by her own experience as a family carer, she now supports older people to stay connected, while finding a strong sense of purpose and community through volunteering.

Beth, Volunteering Matters

Stephanie, NeuroBusiness

1 June 2026

After years of unemployment, Stephanie found confidence, purpose and a pathway into employment through volunteering with NeuroBusiness. Passionate about supporting other neurodivergent people, she used her volunteering experience to build new skills, make lasting friendships and help shape the organisation's growth, eventually securing a paid role.

Stephanie, NeuroBusiness

Trudy, Artis Community

1 June 2026

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s and leaving work, volunteering with Artis Community helped this volunteer rediscover purpose, confidence and connection. What started as helping out at creative sessions has grown into a Volunteer Coordinator role, supporting others while continuing to benefit from the friendships, flexibility and sense of belonging volunteering provides.

Trudy, Artis Community

Kirsty, Role Play Lane

1 June 2026

After spending five years out of work, Kirsty's volunteering journey with Role Play Lane helped her build confidence, develop new skills, and reconnect with her community. What began as a way to gain experience and socialise has since led to paid employment, highlighting the positive impact volunteering can have on both personal and professional growth.

Kirsty, Role Play Lane

Lynne, Cwm Taf People First

1 June 2026

For more than 36 years, Lynne Evans has been helping to champion the rights of people with learning disabilities through Cwm Taf People First. From helping to establish the organisation to supporting others to have their voices heard, volunteering has given Lynne confidence, purpose and the opportunity to make a difference in her community.

Lynne, Cwm Taf People First

Holly, Meadow Street Community Gardens

5 June 2025

At Meadow Street Community Gardens in Pontypridd, young volunteers are helping to shape a vibrant, inclusive space where people of all ages can connect with nature, learn new skills, and grow together.

Read on to learn how volunteers, including young people like Holly, are making a lasting impact in their community.

Holly, Meadow Street Community Gardens

Kaci, Meadow Street Community Gardens

4 June 2025

At just 23, Kaci has already made a lasting impact at Meadow Street Community Gardens in Pontypridd, from designing their sensory garden and painting murals to supporting day-to-day gardening. Volunteering has helped Kaci grow in confidence, develop new skills, and even inspired her to start her own business.

Read on to discover how Kaci turned a summer volunteering opportunity into a pathway for personal and professional growth.

Kaci, Meadow Street Community Gardens

Pontypridd Foodbank

4 June 2025

Whether packing parcels, welcoming visitors, or simply offering a listening ear, volunteers are at the heart of Pontypridd Foodbank’s work, helping ensure no one in our community goes without.

Read on to hear what inspired them to volunteer, how it’s made a difference in their lives, and what they’d say to anyone thinking of getting involved.

Pontypridd Foodbank

RCT Heart Heroes

3 June 2025

Based in Tonypandy, this grassroots organisation is powered by volunteers who provide vital wellbeing support to the local community.

From helping those facing homelessness or financial hardship, to offering mental health and fitness classes, a youth club, and even free defibrillator training - their volunteers are at the heart of it all.

RCT Heart Heroes

Gemma, RCT Heart Heroes

3 June 2025

This dedicated volunteer supports RCT Heart Heroes by planning events and helping out in their community shop, a vital space offering support and essentials to local people.

Introduced through a family friend, they joined to make a difference and have found real purpose in giving back.

Gemma, RCT Heart Heroes

Marauders Men’s Health

2 June 2025

Marauders Men’s Health is dedicated to supporting men’s mental, physical and social wellbeing in Rhondda Cynon Taf. From walk-and-talk groups to pickleball and walking rugby, their work offers connection, activity and purpose.

Their volunteers are at the heart of everything they do, whether leading sessions, supporting others or acting as trustees, these gents are making a real difference to their community.

Marauders Men’s Health

Natasha, Valleys Steps

2 June 2025

Valleys Steps is a local organisation dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing through free self-help courses.

Read on to hear more about Natasha's experience, what inspired them to get involved, and the difference volunteering has made, both to them and to their community.

Natasha, Valleys Steps

Value of Volunteers

24 September 2024

Interlink RCT asked groups to tell us the value of volunteering and the difference it makes to the local community and their organisation. After a poll on Connect RCT, the top 3 organisations were interviewed to learn more about the value of their volunteers and the well-being benefits.

In this video Reel Minds CIC, Bryncynon Strategy and Role Play Lane share and explore the importance of volunteering in RCT.

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