Together We Make Change
In the run-up to Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating our impact in local communities, achieved by working together with our partners and supporters to make change. At United Way UK, we acknowledge that many people want to give back to their communities but don’t have the means to do so. We create meaningful opportunities that allow people to give back. So far this year we have engaged over 400 volunteers for over 1,800 hours in support of their local communities.
We asked the United Way UK team about their memorable moments collaborating with others to create positive change. Here is what they said:
“I have many wonderful memories from my 6 years with United Way. One of my favourites is our very first volunteering event back in 2017 which we ran as a pilot. We brought together underrepresented groups and local business, to provide support lifelines. Seeing the passion of the volunteers, and how they went above and beyond to help others in their community, was truly inspiring and I knew immediately this was a programme that was going to make an important impact. It led to the organisation growing expertise and skill in delivering volunteering opportunities, and is now one of our biggest impact areas.” Jane Hudson Jones, CEO
“My favourite memory of working with United Way is from during the COVID pandemic. One afternoon I joined a virtual event where young people, supported through the programme we deliver with the Principal Financial Group and partner charities, explained how the project had helped them gain self-confidence and employability skills. Most of these young people were struggling with mental health issues prior to the pandemic, so the programme not only helped them to deal with the challenges of lockdown but also to believe in themselves and build a new skill set they did not have before. I could see, first-hand that it was worth working hard to move programmes from face-to-face to virtual in the early days of the pandemic, ensuring that support networks remained in place for those who needed them most.” Pilar Kusel, Director of Operations
“One of my favourite moments at United Way UK was the delivery of Vapormatic's Day of Caring because I witnessed the impact very clearly: 500 breakfast parcels were created for rough-sleepers in Exeter. But, in my opinion, the most powerful impact was seeing how awareness of the need grew among Vapormatic's volunteers. That sudden realization that afterwards transforms into responsibility, transcends all volunteering hours. Seeing how people assume this responsibility to help their community is my favourite part of working at United Way.” Angie Cairoli, Project Officer
“Since joining United Way UK in 2021, I have worked on many projects that I have been immensely proud of. I have been consistently proud of our Give Local campaign in partnership with Costco. It is very satisfying to work on a project from the very beginning that starts with the United Way UK team discussing the next steps and lots of planning, to awarding 30 small charities across the UK grants totalling £45,000. This is a fantastic programme that reaches so many people in very unique ways, from supporting free therapy sessions for children with special and additional needs, to supporting with the purchase of gift packs for adults receiving cancer treatments." Zoe Chiarelli, Project Officer
Join our movement this Giving Tuesday and support Ukrainian refugees as they shelter in UK communities. We’re providing technology to keep them connected - so they can stay in touch with loved ones, get settled in to their new communities and have access to the best employment and education opportunities. This impact would not be possible without the collaborative support of our corporate and charity partners, our hard-working volunteers and of course, you. Thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we will continue to make change happen.