In today’s fast-paced political landscape, ensuring young people have a voice is more crucial than ever. But how do we actually bridge the gap between disenfranchised youth and the political system?

In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, host Chris Wade sits down with Dan Lawes from My Life, My Say—a national charity focused on mobilising underrepresented young communities.

Crucially, this isn't about adults speaking for the youth; it is a movement built entirely on the passion of young people volunteering their time to lead the charge.

Dan shares his personal journey of grassroots, youth-led organising following the political shocks of 2016, and reveals how empowering young volunteer leaders is the secret to bringing an entire generation back to the democratic table.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The 2016 Catalyst: How major political shifts like Brexit sparked a grassroots movement, driven entirely by young volunteers stepping up to engage 14,000 of their peers across the North West of England.

• The Power of Democracy Cafés: A look inside the innovative, peer-to-peer model where young people volunteer as trained facilitators to run community gatherings, identify local issues, and engage directly with policymakers.

• The Campaign for 'Vote 16': Why lowering the voting age could enfranchise 2.5 million young people, and how early inclusion creates lifelong habits of democratic participation and civic volunteering.

• Making Politics Relevant: Why traditional political outreach fails, and how youth-led, volunteer-driven initiatives successfully connect policymakers with young voters by focusing on real-world issues like housing, education, and the cost of living.

Key TakeawayThe future of a healthy democracy relies on the active participation of young people. By stepping away from top-down outreach and empowering young volunteers to facilitate peer-to-peer discussions in their own communities, we can build a much more inclusive, representative, and resilient political system.

About the Guest & OrganisationDan Lawes is a passionate advocate for youth democratic engagement with My Life, My Say (MLMS). MLMS is a youth-led, non-partisan charity heavily driven by the dedication of young volunteers, on a mission to empower their peers to participate in democracy and get their voices heard by decision-makers.

This episode is proudly supported by the organisations championing the power of volunteering across the sector:

• Volunteers' Week: The annual celebration of the incredible contributions volunteers make across the UK.

• Investing in Volunteers: The UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.

• Volunteero: Volunteer management software helping charities streamline their processes and maximise their impact.

*** Host: Chris WadeProduction: Time for Impact Ltd

🤝 A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

🎙️ The Heart of Volunteerism: Insights on Community Engagement with Angela Williamson

Episode SummaryWhat makes someone dedicate their life to giving back, and how do we design volunteer experiences that truly matter?

In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, host Chris Wade sits down with seasoned volunteering consultant Angela Williamson CVA to explore the profound, community-shaping impact of volunteerism. From trading trash collection for concert tickets in Nebraska to leading volunteer programs across diverse sectors, Angela shares her personal journey and professional masterclass on what it takes to build a thriving volunteer culture today.

Whether you are a volunteer manager, a non-profit leader, or just someone looking to connect better with your neighbours, this conversation reveals the true essence of making people feel part of something larger than themselves.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Journey into Volunteerism: Angela’s early introduction to giving back in childhood, and how family culture sets the foundation for a lifelong commitment to service.

• The Evolution of the Sector: Insights from Angela’s career spanning public horticulture to blood bank management, and how the motivations behind volunteering have shifted over time.

• US vs. UK Volunteering Culture: A fascinating look at the cultural differences in community service, the role of local institutions, and how the modern "movement of people" impacts community bonds.

• Creating Meaningful Experiences: Why effective volunteer management has to go far beyond simply assigning tasks to truly fostering connections with your organisation's mission.

• Hyper-Local Community Building: How a simple "Groundhog Day dessert night" proved to be a powerful, grassroots way to bring neighbours together.

Key TakeawayAt its core, the art of engaging volunteers isn't just about getting jobs done; it’s about building community and fostering relationships. Whether through a formal programme or a simple act of neighbourhood kindness, everyone has the power to contribute to their community's well-being.

About the GuestAngela Williamson is a dedicated volunteering consultant who helps organisations establish solid, sustainable foundations for their volunteer programmes, ensuring that engagement strategies are effective, rewarding, and deeply connected to their mission.

Tags / KeywordsVolunteerism, Community Engagement, Nonprofit Leadership, Angela Williamson, Time for Impact Podcast, Building Connections, Volunteering Culture, Social Impact.

*** Host: Chris WadeProduction: Time for Impact Ltd

Are traditional volunteering models actually helping communities, or just making volunteers feel good?

In the latest episode of the Time for Impact podcast, hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and CEO of Globe Aware.

This episode dives into a fresh perspective on short-term service projects, exploring how the industry is evolving beyond outdated models to foster genuine connections, cultural sensitivity, and truly impactful change driven by the communities themselves.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Globe Aware Mission: Discover how Globe Aware facilitates ethical, short-term service experiences across 26 countries—from building homes in Kenya to installing hygiene stations in Ghana—always in direct partnership with local locals.

  
  

• A 25-Year Journey: Kimberly shares her personal transition into the world of volunteering, driven by a background in international business and art history, and an insatiable desire for authentic cultural exchange.

  
  

• Hard Lessons in the Field: Good intentions don't always equal good outcomes. Kimberly shares a powerful story about deploying water filters in the Andes, highlighting why solutions must be tailored to specific environmental and community contexts.

  
  

• Changing Dynamics & The "White Saviour" Complex: A candid discussion on the evolution of volunteer tourism over the past two decades, the growing awareness of ethical pitfalls, and how organisations are prioritising sustainability and local input.

  
  

• The Future of Corporate Giving: A look ahead at the rising trend of corporate-supported volunteer initiatives and navigating the complexities of service in politically sensitive regions like Cuba.

  • Bridging Cultures and Building Lifelong Habits Beyond the immediate impact on the host communities, Kimberly highlights the profound, lasting effects that overseas service has on the volunteers themselves. Immersing oneself in a new culture while working side-by-side with locals breaks down preconceived barriers and fosters deep empathy and cultural awareness. Furthermore, Kimberly shares a beautiful "ripple effect" of global service: participants who experience the fulfillment of volunteering abroad frequently return home with a newly ignited passion for community service, actively seeking out ways to volunteer and give back in their own local neighborhoods.

• Key Takeaways:

  • True impact requires stepping back and letting local communities dictate their own needs.

  • Authentic volunteering leads to profound cross-cultural understanding and personal growth.

  • The volunteer landscape is rapidly shifting toward ethical, sustainable practices that actively combat the "white saviour" narrative.

  • Corporate support is opening new, personalised avenues for employees to engage in meaningful service.

    
    

  • Global volunteering acts as a powerful catalyst, sparking a lifelong habit of community service that participants bring back to their hometowns.

    
    

  • Working alongside local communities abroad deepens cultural awareness and fosters genuine, lasting empathy.

  Connect with Us:

  • Learn more about Globe Aware: https://www.globeaware.org/

  • Follow Time for Impact on LinkedIn

  • Host Chris Wade: LinkedIn

    Host Matt Cobble: LinkedIn

    Time for Impact website