The Power of Giving Back:
Gillian’s Volunteer Experience
“Every little thing a volunteer does… it absolutely is making a difference in some shape or form.”
When Gillian moved to the New Forest in Hampshire, she knew she wanted to get involved in something meaningful. She visited an annual volunteer fair in Lyndhurst, and that’s where she first met Viv Carter, Community Engagement Manager, from The Honeypot Children’s Charity.
“I decided I wanted to volunteer and I wanted to work with children.”
COVID delayed the start of her journey, but two years later she finally visited Honeypot House - an experience she describes as transformative.
“That is really a game changer. You just think, wow, this is just amazing… I’m so glad that the children can come here and it really makes such a difference.”
Making volunteering work around life
Running her own business means Gillian needs flexibility, and that’s exactly what she’s found.
“Viv sends a list of events that are going on and I pick the ones that fit with me and my business. There’s no pressure. Viv is just grateful for every person who actually helps in whatever capacity that you can.”
Over the years, she’s supported a huge variety of activities: golf days, bucket collections, packing Winter Fun Books, and cheering cyclists over the finish line at the House to House cycle ride.
One moment stands out above the rest:
“The Christmas Concert is just incredible… the singers, the environment… it’s absolutely amazing.”
“You do make a difference!”
For Gillian, some of the most powerful moments happen when speaking to community groups and care homes alongside Viv.
“People get very emotional when you are actually presenting about the children,” she says. When they hear the ages of the young carers Honeypot supports - many as young as five - “there’s just silence.”
Those reactions reaffirm why she volunteers: the awareness raised, the understanding built, and the compassion sparked.
“You just know you're doing the right thing,” she explains, “and it makes you want to go out and try and get more donors in.”
And for Gillian, support can take many forms.
“It doesn't always have to be money,” she says. “People can offer their services.”
From reupholstering furniture to donating handmade knitted bees, she’s seen how people light up when they find a way to help.
She proudly shares Honeypot’s work wherever she goes:
“Whenever I'm in my networking meetings I always add in, I'm a volunteer for The Honeypot Children's Charity – that's where some of the supporters have come in from.”
Witnessing the joy
Alongside volunteering, Gillian now also works bank staff shifts at Honeypot House. It’s given her a deeper insight into why the charity’s work matters so much.
“To watch the children change from coming there for the first time where they're quite nervous and then they play and they make friends. It's just wonderful.”
She remembers a Christmas respite trip to Paultons Park where the children were buzzing with excitement.
On the way back, the bus became its own mini celebration:
“They were playing modern Christmas songs, the whole bus was singing, it was like a real party.”
And the magic continued when they returned to the house, where two volunteer chefs had cooked Christmas dinner.
“I mean jeepers those kids can eat!” she laughs.
For some children, the gift they picked from the grotto the next day was the only present they would receive that Christmas - something that has really stayed with her.
A message to future volunteers
“I would say… go for it for sure. It’s an amazing opportunity to actually give back. It is so rewarding because you know that you’re just helping these young kids have the most amazing time.”
“Every little thing that a volunteer does… you’re making a difference in a child’s life. When those children become adults… they will say you can’t believe what a difference Honeypot made in my life.”
We are always seeking new volunteers, especially skilled volunteers like Gillian. If you are interested in volunteering with us do please visit our volunteering web page to see all the roles we have available and send us your application.
We look forward to hearing from you!