Latest news with #volunteering
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
WaterAid volunteers share polaroids of Glastonbury Festival
A set of polaroid film photos have revealed what it's like to work behind the scenes as a volunteer at Glastonbury Festival. Two WaterAid volunteers, Liz Lace and Lucas Myers, shared a sneak peak into their first shift on Wednesday handing out free water and cleaning toilets on has been a charity partner of Glastonbury since 1994, supporting water and sanitation services on site while spreading the message that everyone deserves access to clean water, decent toilets, and good Lace described the experience as "really fulfilling", allowing her to enjoy all the festival has to offer while simultaneously "doing something worthwhile". This year marks Mr Myers' fourth time volunteering with the charity, working on the 'loo crew' to keep more than 3,000 toilets onsite 21-year-old described the team of volunteers as "one big family". "Meeting other volunteers from all walks of life means every conversation back at the camp is unique, and have been some of my best times at the festival," he said. "I really enjoyed taking the photos and capturing moments of volunteers enjoying themselves, rolling their sleeves up and spreading the important message of WaterAid's mission – that change starts with clean water and decent toilets. "The whole event is just indescribable. I've met the best people here and I always feel like I've made a real difference with volunteering." Ms Lace acted as a 'water welcomer', helping festival-goers stay hydrated by filling up bottles for those passing through the gates and exploring the site. The 60-year-old has been to every Glastonbury Festival since 1993 except one, following the birth of her daughter. "My favourite thing about volunteering at the festival has been meeting all the lovely people. Everyone was so happy to chat and get involved," she said."This is my fourth time volunteering here and over the years I've made some firm, lifetime friends. "I will keep coming back to volunteer with WaterAid because it's such a great experience. You never know who you'll meet or the amazing experiences you'll have."WaterAid is encouraging festival-goers to add their name to its 'Water can't wait' open letter, calling on world leaders attending this year's COP30 conference in Brazil to take urgent action to tackle the water and climate crisis.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Autism centre in Northern Ireland gets glow up after Facebook SOS
"I need your help!"When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism will be given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers."You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI. As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast."As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said."I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better."A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve." 'Act of kindness' Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness"."It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said."We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises." "The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day," she added. Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide". "The Paint It Forward initiative stands as an excellent example of local businesses giving back and making a meaningful difference - we cannot thank them all enough," she said."Here's to a colourful brighter future for our charity." Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years."What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good."Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one.""That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said."From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it. 'We all have skills' "I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details."Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too."At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive.""I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said."Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills."If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"
News24
20 hours ago
- Business
- News24
‘How my gap year inspired an app that connects people with causes that matter'
During her gap year in 2022, Abigail Larsen volunteered at The King's Children's Home in East London as part of an outreach programme – and what she discovered shocked her to the core. About 50 children were living in a couple's backyard, sleeping in shipping containers because the home had reached full capacity. Despite the couple's extraordinary dedication, the home struggled with visibility and funding. It struck Abigail (now 21) that so many young people want to help but don't know where to start, while countless organisations doing vital work lack the support they need. That's when the idea for Thallo (Greek for 'to flourish') was born. It's a dynamic, youth-driven platform to connect volunteers with causes that matter. The dream began taking shape in November 2024 when Abigail, along with Mia Olivier (brand designer) and Michael Manly (app developer), entered the Hult Prize Challenge. Together, they began crafting the pitch for what would become Thallo. While volunteering across Africa and India, Abigail saw that many impactful organisations struggled with funding due to low visibility. She hopes Thallo will help solve this problem. This is her story. 'In July 2023, when I was in Mumbai, we visited an underfunded organisation caring for the dying in a crowded basement. Most patients didn't recover – they passed away with dignity. I remember thinking, 'If people only knew, they'd help. The truth is powerful, they just need to see it.' That's when I realised the world doesn't lack compassion, it lacks connection. There needs to be a platform that could create awareness about incredible organisations and give people the opportunity to partner with them to expand their impact. In Rwanda in 2023, I volunteered at Love With Actions, a school for disabled children working to break stigma. With just social media skills, I boosted their online presence and ran a successful stationery fundraiser – proof that even small efforts can make a big impact. At Durban's LIV Village, an outreach programme for vulnerable and orphaned children, I learned that, sometimes, just showing up and listening is enough. In every experience, I wished for one place to share what I'd seen, where people could discover and support these organisations. But at Kings Children's Home, the urgency hit. They were doing amazing work, yet few knew they existed. It's not just about volunteering – it's about visibility. South Africa has over 250 000 registered organisations. How many do you know? Many organisations focus so much on serving their cause that they lack the time or tools to raise awareness. Meanwhile, many young people want to help but don't know where to start. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'I found my purpose and a passion for cooking behind bars' Thallo aims to bridge that gap and make getting involved easy and rewarding by letting users follow, donate to or volunteer with organisations through their profiles. The platform will boost the visibility of organisations, helping them grow with more support, funding and volunteers. PHOTO: Supplied We've been taught to look inward for meaning, but that often leads to pressure and anxiety. In reality, serving others can lift us out of that. It gives purpose and reminds us our lives matter. Young people don't just want CV fillers. They want something real that makes them come alive. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'Olympiads and having fun are the key to my academic success' Thallo is still in its early days, and it will launch in early 2026. Turning the dream into reality has been tough. I've battled doubts about not being experienced or capable enough, especially while juggling studies as a BCom International Business student at Stellenbosch University. But I've learned to lean on God, knowing I'm not fully equipped but trusting that if He called me, He'll make a way. Making a difference begins with using what you have to love and serve those around you. As Mother Teresa said, If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blind Glastonbury volunteer says others should 'try it'
A man has said that being blind has not held him back from volunteering at Glastonbury Festival. Jacob Hare, 21, from Nottingham, is an Oxfam steward and encourages other people with disabilities and impairments to "definitely give it a go". He said that while festivals can be "pretty tricky" at times, due to the different terrains and festival obstacles, he feels incredibly supported by his "Oxfamily". Mr Hare, who attends the festival alongside his mum, Louise Potter, said he also could not do it without her and describes her as being his "second pair of eyes". More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset He told BBC Radio Somerset that he tries to be as "capable as possible" when he is stewarding but said that there are some things that he "just can't do". Mr Hare has less than 10% of his vision remaining and compares anything that he is still able to see as "blotchy" and as though he is "looking through a colander". The 21-year-old student added: "My vision reduces a lot when it's dark and so getting around is made even harder, but Oxfam has been really good and has made any adjustments that I need." Mr Hare and his mum said that they enjoy going to Glastonbury Festival together and hope that more people with disabilities and impairments will give stewarding a go. Mr Hare also describes Oxfam as "such a lovely community" and said that there are "always familiar faces around to ask for a hand". He added: "If you can do it and want to do it, then definitely give it a go." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'My stoma won't stop me enjoying Glastonbury' Opening ceremony kicks off Glastonbury with a bang Why there will be no Glastonbury Festival in 2026 Glastonbury Festival
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blind steward encourages others to volunteer at Glastonbury Festival
A man has said that being blind has not held him back from volunteering at Glastonbury Festival. Jacob Hare, 21, from Nottingham, is an Oxfam steward and encourages other people with disabilities and impairments to "definitely give it a go". He said that while festivals can be "pretty tricky" at times, due to the different terrains and festival obstacles, he feels incredibly supported by his "Oxfamily".Mr Hare, who attends the festival alongside his mum, Louise Potter, said he also could not do it without her and describes her as being his "second pair of eyes". He told BBC Radio Somerset that he tries to be as "capable as possible" when he is stewarding but said that there are some things that he "just can't do".Mr Hare has less than 10% of his vision remaining and compares anything that he is still able to see as "blotchy" and as though he is "looking through a colander".The 21-year-old student added: "My vision reduces a lot when it's dark and so getting around is made even harder, but Oxfam has been really good and has made any adjustments that I need."Mr Hare and his mum said that they enjoy going to Glastonbury Festival together and hope that more people with disabilities and impairments will give stewarding a go. Mr Hare also describes Oxfam as "such a lovely community" and said that there are "always familiar faces around to ask for a hand".He added: "If you can do it and want to do it, then definitely give it a go."
