Our Team

I have volunteered in numerous capacities throughout my life, but currently, I give my time helping heritage projects where I can use some of my practical skills.

Volunteering has connected me to so many wonderful people and it's really encouraging to see people's enthusiasm for giving back to their community. I love getting stuck in with our outdoor work and helping teams to cook for our community partners.

Ever since moving to London, I have fallen in love with the city, including all of its hidden nooks and beautiful greenspaces. I am always inspired by the ways in which something as simple as a small community garden can bring folks of so many different backgrounds, identities and experiences together. Grassroots organising is my ultimate passion, where I have witnessed ordinary people come together in large numbers and harness collective power to foster positive change.

I became a volunteer when I changed my career from photography to fundraising, a transition that empowered me to give back to my community. I believe that all voices deserve to be heard, and as part of the team at HandsOn London, I aim to ensure that we continue to acknowledge every volunteer and beneficiary.

I have been involved in volunteering in London since 2015 and despite my advanced years, I am constantly energised by the enthusiasm demonstrated by the many volunteer teams I am lucky enough to work with. I particularly enjoy being engaged with volunteering in community gardens and kitchens where so many vulnerable groups are directly benefiting from the efforts of the kind souls who run these facilities.

I have been involved in a number of charities over the years, either in a professional capacity or as a volunteer. There is nothing like working in and for the community and to feel part of something that is more than the sum of our individual selves. HandsOn London enables this for all the volunteers and the communities who connect through its various projects. My role as Finance Manager does not always involve leading volunteer groups, but when I can, I particularly enjoy the cooking and gardening projects!

Volunteering has helped me find a sense of belonging in London, a city that can feel anonymous at times! Currently, I volunteer as a Creative Writing Mentor for children, which has proven both rewarding and inspiring. It is a pleasure to support volunteers into similarly rewarding opportunities that invest in London’s community.

I have worked at HandsOn London since 2014. I have enjoyed watching the charity grow, and helping so many individuals and teams have an exciting and worthwhile volunteer experience. It is wonderful to see so many people give their time, and take away skills and lessons that they will never forget while helping  people and communities in need. Although I enjoy all aspects of volunteering, my favourite events are older people, cooking and outdoor events.

When not working, I enjoy conservation activities such as planting flowers to attract the bees and creating new habitats for insects.

I really like it when people challenge themselves and do something they would not normally do in their daily work. I see how a small challenge can work towards building confidence and self-esteem.

The first time I volunteered I was nine years old. It was for a campaign to help keep my local library open. When we were successful, it was so empowering to know I had made a difference in my community. I have been lucky enough to be able to volunteer for many different causes since then and I am constantly impressed by what a dedicated team of volunteers can achieve. My specialism now is in ecology, conservation, and environmental law. I love spending time in green and blue spaces, enjoying the surprising diversity of life that can be found around London.

Activism and volunteering have been a part of my life since I was 15 years old, starting with the Red Cross, where I worked with children, and later as a Human Rights Coordinator for an LGBTQ+ organisation. Since then, both my personal and professional paths have been closely tied to supporting and giving voice to diverse communities. For the past 11 years, I’ve also been volunteering as a journalist for a multicultural newspaper in London, something I am passionate about. Now, working with HandsOn London gives me the opportunity to contribute to a wider platform and connect with different groups to help build bridges across communities.