Volunteers bring more than time. They bring skills, experience, ideas, kindness and a willingness to get involved where they are needed most.

For Volunteers’ Week, Community First Yorkshire is celebrating the people who give their time to support charities, community groups and voluntary organisations across North Yorkshire. We are also shining a light on the organisations that create those opportunities and help people find a place where they can make a difference.

One person who knows the value of volunteering from both sides is Stephen Biggs, manager at Just the Job in Richmond. Stephen first came to the organisation as a volunteer, after spotting an opportunity and thinking it looked interesting.

“I started off as a volunteer, and soon afterwards that became a job for me,” said Stephen. “I moved into a career that was more about the people rather than the outputs. It became more of a vocation, and that changed my working world over the years.”

That experience captures something powerful about volunteering. It can be a way to give something back, but it can also help people discover new skills, meet new people and find a different direction in life.

Stephen sees this regularly through the volunteers who support Just the Job.

“Volunteers bring so much variety into the organisation,” he said. “There’s such a broad spectrum of people that end up volunteering, bringing different skills, experiences and knowledge. It’s just been a great boost to what we do.”

He also talks about the learning that happens when volunteers and staff work alongside each other. From practical skills to business knowledge, volunteers can broaden what an organisation is able to do and how it thinks.

“They bring so many things,” he said. “Practical skills, business skills, a real broad spectrum. They bring a lot to my work, and not just me, but also the staff, the volunteers and the team members that we work with. They all learn something different from the volunteers. It just broadens what you do.”

Across North Yorkshire, voluntary and community organisations often step in where other support is missing. They are rooted in local places and are able to respond quickly when people need help.

Stephen described organisations like Just the Job as filling gaps, finding niches and reacting quickly to situations. He said the sector is “so important to the people of North Yorkshire”, especially those who might otherwise be missed.

For anyone thinking about volunteering, Stephen’s message is simple.

“Just give it a go. Don’t be scared. Try something,” he said. “It’s the best way to learn whether you want to do something different, whether you’re changing careers, or whether you’ve come to retirement and want to try something different and offer something back.”

He added that most places are looking for people, and that there is often a way to fit in. Some volunteers even go on to use their hobbies, skills and experience in new part-time roles or second careers.

Volunteering is not one thing. It can mean practical work, supporting events, helping with admin, sharing professional skills, becoming a trustee, mentoring others, fundraising, leading activities or simply being there when people need encouragement.

For Stephen, the motivation comes back to people.

“There are still more people to help,” he said. “Seeing people learn new things and develop over the years is really rewarding. Organisations like Just the Job have got so much more to do, so many more people to help in so many different ways. That’s what keeps me going.”

This Volunteers’ Week, Community First Yorkshire will be sharing stories, quotes and short videos from people across the sector, celebrating the difference volunteers make and encouraging more people to get involved. Keep an eye on our campaign page.

Because volunteering is not just about giving time. It is about connection, confidence, kindness and community.

To every volunteer, trustee, committee member, organiser, fundraiser, befriender, driver, youth leader, village hall helper and community champion across North Yorkshire: thank you.

Your time matters. Your skills matter. Your care matters.

And if your organisation needs support to keep doing what you do, Community First Yorkshire is here to help. Get in touch by filling in our short enquiry form or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.