As the Easter holidays begin, so too does one of the busiest and most inspiring times of year at YMCA Fairthorne Manor and the wider Group. This season brings with it a renewed energy – one that is powered not only by the young people we serve, but by the extraordinary individuals who give their time to support them.
Each year, we welcome Volunteers from across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and indeed from all corners of the globe into our Early Years, Youth and Community services. Meeting these individuals as we have done this week welcoming our International Volunteers is always a powerful reminder that, no matter where people come from, their motivations are strikingly similar. They want to contribute. They want to belong. And above all, they want to make a difference.
Over the past 12 months alone, 140 volunteers have contributed an incredible 23,000 hours to our cause. While national research often highlights “making a difference” as a key driver for volunteering, I often reflect on what that truly means in practice. For us, it’s not an abstract idea – it’s something we see come to life every single day.
It’s Sam, working with Members across our Youth Services; listening to their experiences to ensure we build new, effective tools that work in the real world to help create a clearer path for them to ‘Move on’ into independent living.
It’s Mark, who has inspired countless Eastleigh residents to discover a love of fitness, building community through his running club and bootcamp sessions; helping those who may not want to use other formal fitness facilities complete their sessions.
It’s Jim, carefully maintaining our fleet of paddlecraft, giving a nervous child at Daycamp the confidence to take to the water for the very first time.
It’s Carol at the Library, transforming a simple biscuit decorating activity into a joyful experience for children during long school holidays, while parents enjoy a rare moment of calm.
These are the moments that define impact. These are the layers of care, compassion, and humanity that Volunteers bring to everything we do.
Quite simply, without our Volunteers, we would not be able to deliver the breadth or depth of services that our communities rely on. They are not an addition to our work—they are central to it.
But volunteering is not a one-way street. Time and again, our Volunteers tell us how much they gain from the experience. Claire, one of our Volunteer Administrators, values the opportunity to use her skills in a fun and supportive office environment, without the commitment of full-time employment. Paul, who volunteers as a gardener, often reminds us that while we thank him for his efforts, he feels equally grateful for the opportunity to be involved.
As society evolves, so too does the nature of volunteering. We are seeing a growing demand for flexible, short-term opportunities—reflecting the time pressures many of us face in a post-pandemic world. And we are adapting.
One such opportunity is the Young Carers Festival, taking place from 26–28 June and now in its 26th year. This remarkable event brings together Young Carers from across England and Wales for a weekend of rest, celebration, and connection. It takes over 1,500 volunteer hours to deliver, with Volunteers supporting everything from catering and housekeeping to running activities like inflatables, coffee shops, and even nail bars.
One Volunteer from last year’s festival described it as “such a special event… even just helping out for one day, it’s a real privilege.”
That sentiment captures something important: you don’t need to commit hours every week to make a meaningful contribution. Whether it’s an hour, a day, or a weekend, every act of volunteering matters—and every volunteer is valued.
Volunteering remains the very heart of what we do at YMCA. It enriches our services, strengthens our communities, and creates lasting connections between people.
As we look ahead, I am excited about what the future holds—how we will continue to grow, evolve, and welcome new people into our volunteering family.
So I’ll leave you with one simple question: How do you want to support your local community this summer ?
For anyone who wants to know more, we would be delighted to welcome you to our team. Contact us on at Volunteering@ymca-fg.org
We wish you a wonderful Easter.
Phillipa Spicer – CEO Fairthorne Group
