Sixteen years ago, Steve thought he was simply giving up a spare day to help out at a local project.

Little did he know that he was about to find a second home, a new career, and a community of people who would teach him, challenge him and occasionally hand him a spoon to carve. This blog is a little celebration of that journey, the volunteers who make it all possible, and the unexpected joys that come from saying “Yes, I’ll give it a go.”

Let’s meet Steve Biggs, General Manager at Just the Job.

Discovering Just the Job

I first encountered Just the Job 16 years ago while working for a day service run by North Yorkshire County Council. Their passion for combining environmental activities with support for adults with additional needs immediately appealed to me, so I began volunteering on my spare day. A few months later I was being paid for that day, and soon after I moved into a part‑time role. I’m now the general manager of a growing organisation, and volunteer coordination is one of the many parts of my job. It was also the third job I secured after starting out as a volunteer. Volunteering has always been a excellent way for me to discover whether I enjoy a role and fit within an organisation.

Finding my place

With a small, enthusiastic team and values that aligned with my own, I soon felt at home. I remember hearing the manager at the time say yes to a request for an activity without hesitation, which was refreshing. I’d been introduced to person‑centred working in my previous role and thought, “Doesn’t everywhere work like that?” Apparently not back then. Just the Job shared the same principles of finding the best in each individual and adapting work to meet their needs. I try to keep that principle at the heart of everything we do, including how we support our volunteers.

The value of volunteers

Volunteers are an essential part of Just the Job. Several have been with us for many years and are now integral to the team. Many have gone on to become staff members, and some staff also choose to volunteer. Managing volunteers is a rewarding role. You meet people from all sorts of backgrounds, each bringing a wide range of skills. It’s great when you spot a hidden talent, encourage someone to use it, and a few months later it becomes part of our regular routine. Even better is when we can employ a volunteer for that skill, giving them the income they were hoping for and easing their worry about whether they could continue volunteering. We also see volunteers join us during career breaks, and many have gone on to work in our sector after discovering a new passion here.

How volunteers enrich us

Working closely with volunteers benefits the organisation, but it has also enriched me personally. I’ve met so many people, learnt from them, and formed new friendships. Over the years I’ve tried activities introduced by volunteers, visited new places, learnt new skills and benefitted from their advice and support. Volunteers are a rich seam of knowledge and experience.

Sharing skills and encouraging new interests

I also encourage volunteers to try new things. One of my own hobbies is green woodwork. Turning fresh wood on a traditional pole lathe and carving kitchen treen with hand tools is a lesser‑known craft, although spoon carving is becoming more popular. We’re known as ‘Bodgers’, a name taken from the traditional Windsor chair makers who travelled through woodlands making chair legs on pole lathes. There’s something special about being in the woods with a fire going, the kettle on, either alone or with like‑minded people, making wooden items in the same way it was done a thousand years ago. If I can introduce the occasional volunteer to this wonderful craft and they gain the same benefits I have, then I consider that a job well done.