From beneficiary to colleague: Meet Sophie, the driving force behind volunteers at Whizz Kidz

It’s Volunteer’s Week: a time to celebrate the incredible impact volunteers have throughout society. Here at Whizz Kidz, an army of volunteers generously give their time, energy and expertise to make a real difference to the lives of young wheelchair users.

We simply couldn’t achieve what we do without our amazing volunteers, but bringing everyone together is a huge job! Fortunately, for the last 4 years we’ve had Volunteer Support Officer, Sophie, bringing volunteers together for amazing Whizz Kidz experiences.

We sat down with Sophie to find out more about her job, what makes a great volunteer, and to discover how you can get involved.

Tell us a little about your role at Whizz Kidz?

As Volunteer Support Officer, I look after everything related to volunteering at Whizz Kidz – from recruitment and training to ongoing support and celebration of our amazing team of volunteers. I also manage our online events programme for young wheelchair users, and our Sibling Groups for siblings of young wheelchair users. It’s a real privilege to be part of something that brings people together in such a meaningful way. It’s a really varied role, and that’s one of the things I love most about it.

What brought you to this role?

I first became involved with Whizz Kidz as a beneficiary – in 2019, I successfully applied for funding for power-assisted wheels to go with my new wheelchair after reading about Whizz Kidz online. I began attending online events throughout lockdown and was looking into the possibility of volunteering with Whizz Kidz when my now-colleague mentioned an upcoming job vacancy and recommended I apply. I have always wanted to work somewhere that makes a real difference to people’s lives, and Whizz Kidz totally changed mine. The opportunity to work in a role that has such a tangible impact – and with such dedicated, kind-hearted volunteers – was something I couldn’t pass up.

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Definitely the people. I get to work with the most incredible volunteers, families and colleagues. Seeing the positive impact our volunteers have is always a highlight – our volunteers make a real difference, and being part of that journey is incredibly special. Also, witnessing our young wheelchair users and siblings grow in confidence and joy is something I find hugely rewarding and is a reminder of why we do what we do.

What has been your best experience with Whizz Kidz?

It’s honestly so hard to choose just one – there have been so many special experiences. Seeing former beneficiaries return as volunteers is incredibly moving; it really shows the lasting impact of what we do and how people carry that forward. I’ve also had moments during our online events and Sibling Groups that will always stay with me – like when a young wheelchair user lit up because they saw that I’m a wheelchair user too and said “You’re like me!”, or when a really shy sibling spoke up and shared for the first time. Those moments of connection are powerful. And I can’t not mention our Volunteer Celebration Event last year – it was such a joyful, uplifting evening and a brilliant reminder of how incredible our volunteer community is.

What kinds of roles do volunteers at Whizz Kidz do?

We have a number of volunteering opportunities at Whizz Kidz, including roles behind the scenes supporting our colleagues either remotely or in our London office, and roles directly supporting young wheelchair users and their families at our events, both in-person and online. 

What do you think makes a great volunteer?

A great volunteer doesn’t need a particular background or experience – what really makes someone stand out is empathy, reliability and a willingness to listen and learn. Being open-hearted, showing up with a smile and being present for others goes such a long way.

What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering?

Go for it! Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do – not just for the people you’re helping, but for yourself too. It’s a chance to connect with others, learn new skills and be part of something bigger. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there’s always a way to make a difference.

We have lots of volunteering opportunities whether you want to work directly with our young wheelchair users at events and services, or support central teams in our Head Office. Find out more, and start your volunteering journey with Whizz Kidz Today!

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 Volunteering | Whizz Kidz | Whizz Kidz