PROMOTING POSITIVE & SUSTAINABLE CHANGE

Recently, LanguageLine’s Rufus Ho volunteered as a photographer for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London. Surrounded by the energy of runners and the cheers of fellow volunteers, it was a day filled with positivity and good will. Using their sports photography skills, Rufus captured the excitement and determination of those running for a great cause.

The charity was thrilled with the photos, which perfectly reflected the uplifting spirit of the event. “It was such a positive experience,” Rufus said. “Everyone was so friendly, and it felt amazing to contribute to something so meaningful.”

LanguageLine’s Alison Vaughan spent two days volunteering with a local hedgehog rescue centre, Shelley Hedgehogs in West Yorkshire, dedicating 16 hours to caring for more than 50 hedgehogs in need. Her days were filled with feeding, weighing, cleaning hutches, and giving medication - all part of helping these sick or injured creatures recover and prepare for release back into the wild.

“It was the best thing ever getting up close to them,” Alison shared. Having discovered a real passion for wildlife care, Alison now fosters hedgehogs at home and plans to keep volunteering through the winter. “Volunteering is such a rewarding way to learn new skills while helping those who can’t help themselves,” she said.

During July, LanguageLine’s Vicki Burns spent two days volunteering at her local British Red Cross charity shop, dedicating 14 hours to sorting, cleaning, and preparing donated items for sale.

Working alongside an amazing team of volunteers, including one aged 94, she helped transform a mountain of donations into ready-to-sell treasures, raising funds for people in need across the world. “It was such a fun and eye-opening experience,” Vicki said. “I loved seeing the difference we made together. I’d recommend volunteering to anyone — it’s so rewarding and a great way to give back to your community.”

One Saturday in May, LanguageLine’s Anne Denney took part in the UK-wide Great WaterBlitz campaign, contributing to vital research on the health of the nation’s rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.

Using a simple testing kit near her home in Bishopbriggs, she collected and analysed water samples to check for E. coli levels as part of a national snapshot of water quality.

“Anyone can be a citizen scientist,” Anne said. “It’s all very self-explanatory when the kit arrives.” The results help build a clearer picture of the UK’s waterways and support efforts to protect our natural environment.

LanguageLine’s Fatema Khanom spent a weekend volunteering with the Muslim Community Association at a residential youth retreat held at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education in Leicester. Over two and a half days, she delivered a talk on leadership, joined a guest panel, and mentored young Muslim girls to help build their confidence and aspirations. Fatema shared her own journey and encouraged open conversations about personal growth, resilience, and self-belief.

“Fatema’s professionalism, warmth, and commitment to youth development were evident in all her interactions,” said Dilowar Khan, Executive Director of the Association.

For his first day of volunteering, Richard spent a day with the National Trust, taking part in a local conservation project to protect and regenerate the moorland in Marsden and the surrounding areas.

His work involved planting sphagnum moss in deep peat, an effort that helps boost biodiversity, reduce flooding, and prevent wildfires.

“I'm grateful to have met such a passionate group of people who give their time to preserve our beautiful natural landscapes,” Richard said. “I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys being outdoors...and doesn’t mind getting a bit muddy!”

LanguageLine’s Madeline Friend spent her volunteering day helping Kidney Research UK at their first-ever Liverpool Bridges Walk, an event that raised over £30,000 to fight kidney disease.

From registering walkers and giving directions to handing out medals and cheering on finishers, Madeline played an active role in keeping the day running smoothly. “It was inspiring to meet so many participants and hear their stories,” she said. “The atmosphere was full of positivity and community spirit.” Madeline even had the chance to use some British Sign Language with one of the walkers. “It was a really rewarding experience,” she added, “and I’d happily recommend it to anyone looking to give back.”

In mid September, Tomas Sordo Fuente spent a day volunteering as a steward at St Anne’s Church in Limehouse during the Open House Festival. The festival is a unique event that lets the public explore buildings normally closed to visitors.

Welcoming guests, keeping records, and helping in the small church shop, Tomas ensured everything ran smoothly while sharing his enthusiasm for the site’s striking architecture.

“I’ve always loved the festival as a visitor, so it was wonderful to be part of making it happen,” he said. The experience deepened his appreciation for the passion and hard work that go into preserving historic buildings and keeping them open to the community.

A group of LanguageLine colleagues, including Seema Parmar, Nick Marshall, Anna Paduchowska, Jessica Ribeiro and Jeannine Ruddock, spent the day volunteering at St George’s Hospital in the grounds. The outdoor spaces they worked on are mainly used by staff in the breast cancer unit, offering a calm place to relax and recharge. The team helped to refresh them through general maintenance and weeding. 

It was a rewarding way to make a real, visible difference to an important community space. “It felt great to give back to our local community and know our efforts will be appreciated,” Seema said. “I even learnt how to tell a weed from a plant…something that might help in my own garden!” 

LanguageLine’s Nadia Pintea spent her volunteering day with the Middlesex Association for the Blind, supporting clients with visual impairments. Her tasks included accompanying a client safely to and from the club, preparing refreshments, and joining in social activities such as music, sensory games, and storytelling. “It was a truly eye-opening experience,” Nadia said. “Despite their challenges, everyone radiated positivity and gratitude. Their smiles and thank-yous made every moment worthwhile.”

The experience deepened Nadia’s empathy and appreciation for everyday abilities, while giving her new skills in supporting and communicating with people with visual impairments. “It reminded me how even small acts of kindness can have a big impact,” she added.

Colleagues Gurdeep Singh, Ross Midgley-Robinson, Anna Toth, Zoe Mitchelson, and Mark Pugh spent a rewarding day volunteering at Birmingham Play Care. The charity provides safe, inclusive spaces for local children to get creative and families to get support.

The team rolled up their sleeves to clear litter and garden debris from outdoor spaces, improving accessibility after recent bad weather. “It felt great to do something productive for the community and spend time with colleagues,” Gurdeep said. Ross added, “It was inspiring to see the difference the staff and volunteers make every day.” The team left smiling, proud of their contribution, and having already signed up for another project with the charity in the coming months!

Flavia D’Annunzio and Monika Mehesova spent a Saturday volunteering with WrapUp London, helping to sort and prepare donated coats, jackets, gloves, and hats for people in need. The pair checked items for quality and size, organised them by gender, and packed them for distribution, even slipping in small cards with warm, encouraging messages for recipients. “It was an incredibly rewarding experience,” Flavia said. “We worked alongside a friendly team and felt proud to contribute to such a meaningful cause.”

Now in its 15th year, WrapUp London supports over 90 frontline charities each winter. Last year the charity gathered over 15,000 coats for donation, proving that, as temperatures drop, one person’s coat can make a life-changing difference.