As the academic year wraps up, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the heart and dedication poured into our student-led volunteering projects. Across 60 initiatives, over 400 volunteers gave their time, skills, and care to create meaningful experiences.

Whether it was helping young people discover their confidence, running creative STEM workshops, fundraising for good causes, or simply showing up week after week, the difference you made this year was powerful.

Here’s a look at what we accomplished together.

 

 

Growing in Confidence

Time and time again, volunteers told us that the most rewarding part of their project was watching someone grow in confidence, independence, and self-belief.
Several projects reported that participants felt more confident after taking part. For example, some noted a 20% boost in comfort with group presentations and a 35% increase in managing anxiety and nerves. Around 80% of parents involved with Narae Taekwondo Cubs reported that their children had become more confident and independent.

During an interview preparation event run by DermaBrigade, confidence among sixth formers jumped from just 1 in 3 feeling prepared to nearly 87% after the session. One student shared, “I left the mock MMI confident and more ready for the real interviews.” 
 

Bringing People Together

From school workshops to sports sessions and career tasters, student projects reached over 1,800 participants across the year.

Highlights included:

• Hands-on STEM workshops for over 240 state school students
• Girls-only football sessions that introduced many to the sport for the first time
• A series of talks and workshops on consent and wellbeing attended by hundreds
• Career exploration events that helped sixth formers imagine new futures
• Creative and cultural sessions in British Sign Language and Kurdish dialects, building identity and connection

At one community-building event, What I Wish I Knew When Applying to Medical School, 93% of attendees reported feeling a stronger sense of connection with Black medical students.

 

Powered by Volunteers

This year, 403 student volunteers gave over 11,000 hours of their time. From planning and outreach to delivery and follow-up, they were the backbone of every success.

Among those who filled out our volunteer feedback forms, 100% said the experience had been worthwhile, often describing how it helped them grow in confidence, teamwork, and leadership.

One student reflected, “Volunteering gave me purpose, connection, and a chance to grow in ways I didn’t expect.” Whether they supported one event or ran entire projects, they left a mark on communities and on themselves.

 

Building Community, One Project at a Time

Projects focused on identity, language, and culture produced some of the most moving moments this year. Students helped Kurdish young people reconnect with their heritage and language, while others introduced BSL as a tool for inclusion and communication.

Participants in the Kurdish Language Classes shared, “I love how we get to learn about Kurdish culture alongside the language.”

Girls’ football sessions sparked real joy, with participants asking, “Can you come back next week?” These interactions built a community that felt warmer, more welcoming, and more connected.

 

Fundraising with Heart

Students raised over £30,000 this year for important causes. From bake sales to marathons, these efforts often ran alongside core project work, and were always done with heart.

A standout collaboration between GKTLHC’s Let’s Talk About Consent project and the charity Everyone’s Invited raised over £600 and reached more than 10,000 people through a viral Instagram campaign.

 

Looking Ahead

To every student who gave their time, every participant who stepped outside their comfort zone, and everyone who made space for growth: thank you!

We can’t wait to see what you do next.

If you're interested in getting involved, applications for the Volunteer Project Fund are now open. Start A Project