Time For Impact Podcast

🎙️ The Heart of Volunteerism: Insights on Community Engagement with Angela WilliamsonEpisode SummaryWhat makes someone dedicate their life to giving back, and how do we design volunteer experiences that truly matter?In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, host Chris Wade sits down with seasoned volunteering consultant Angela Williamson CVA to explore the profound, community-shaping impact of volunteerism. From trading trash collection for concert tickets in Nebraska to leading volunteer programs across diverse sectors, Angela shares her personal journey and professional masterclass on what it takes to build a thriving volunteer culture today.Whether you are a volunteer manager, a non-profit leader, or just someone looking to connect better with your neighbours, this conversation reveals the true essence of making people feel part of something larger than themselves.In this episode, we discuss:The Journey into Volunteerism: Angela’s early introduction to giving back in childhood, and how family culture sets the foundation for a lifelong commitment to service.The Evolution of the Sector: Insights from Angela’s career spanning public horticulture to blood bank management, and how the motivations behind volunteering have shifted over time.US vs. UK Volunteering Culture: A fascinating look at the cultural differences in community service, the role of local institutions, and how the modern "movement of people" impacts community bonds.Creating Meaningful Experiences: Why effective volunteer management has to go far beyond simply assigning tasks to truly fostering connections with your organisation's mission.Hyper-Local Community Building: How a simple "Groundhog Day dessert night" proved to be a powerful, grassroots way to bring neighbours together.Key TakeawayAt its core, the art of engaging volunteers isn't just about getting jobs done; it’s about building community and fostering relationships. Whether through a formal programme or a simple act of neighbourhood kindness, everyone has the power to contribute to their community's well-being.About the GuestAngela Williamson is a dedicated volunteering consultant who helps organisations establish solid, sustainable foundations for their volunteer programmes, ensuring that engagement strategies are effective, rewarding, and deeply connected to their mission.Tags / KeywordsVolunteerism, Community Engagement, Nonprofit Leadership, Angela Williamson, Time for Impact Podcast, Building Connections, Volunteering Culture, Social Impact.*** Host: Chris WadeProduction: Time for Impact Ltd

Are traditional volunteering models actually helping communities, or just making volunteers feel good? In the latest episode of the Time for Impact podcast, hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and CEO of Globe Aware.This episode dives into a fresh perspective on short-term service projects, exploring how the industry is evolving beyond outdated models to foster genuine connections, cultural sensitivity, and truly impactful change driven by the communities themselves.In This Episode, We Explore:The Globe Aware Mission: Discover how Globe Aware facilitates ethical, short-term service experiences across 26 countries—from building homes in Kenya to installing hygiene stations in Ghana—always in direct partnership with local locals.A 25-Year Journey: Kimberly shares her personal transition into the world of volunteering, driven by a background in international business and art history, and an insatiable desire for authentic cultural exchange.Hard Lessons in the Field: Good intentions don't always equal good outcomes. Kimberly shares a powerful story about deploying water filters in the Andes, highlighting why solutions must be tailored to specific environmental and community contexts.Changing Dynamics & The "White Saviour" Complex: A candid discussion on the evolution of volunteer tourism over the past two decades, the growing awareness of ethical pitfalls, and how organisations are prioritising sustainability and local input.The Future of Corporate Giving: A look ahead at the rising trend of corporate-supported volunteer initiatives and navigating the complexities of service in politically sensitive regions like Cuba.Bridging Cultures and Building Lifelong Habits Beyond the immediate impact on the host communities, Kimberly highlights the profound, lasting effects that overseas service has on the volunteers themselves. Immersing oneself in a new culture while working side-by-side with locals breaks down preconceived barriers and fosters deep empathy and cultural awareness. Furthermore, Kimberly shares a beautiful "ripple effect" of global service: participants who experience the fulfillment of volunteering abroad frequently return home with a newly ignited passion for community service, actively seeking out ways to volunteer and give back in their own local neighborhoods.Key Takeaways:True impact requires stepping back and letting local communities dictate their own needs.Authentic volunteering leads to profound cross-cultural understanding and personal growth.The volunteer landscape is rapidly shifting toward ethical, sustainable practices that actively combat the "white saviour" narrative.Corporate support is opening new, personalised avenues for employees to engage in meaningful service.Global volunteering acts as a powerful catalyst, sparking a lifelong habit of community service that participants bring back to their hometowns.Working alongside local communities abroad deepens cultural awareness and fosters genuine, lasting empathy.Connect with Us:Learn more about Globe Aware: https://www.globeaware.org/Follow Time for Impact on LinkedInHost Chris Wade: LinkedInHost Matt Cobble: LinkedInTime for Impact website

Guest: Matt Hyde OBE , CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and WalesEpisode Summary:What does it take to turn a moment of national crisis into a lifelong habit of community action? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Hyde, a powerhouse in the charity sector. Following an incredible tenure as CEO of the NUS and the Scouts in the UK, Matt is now the CEO of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, and Vice Chair of Comic Relief (which just raised a staggering £30 million for 2026!).Matt joins us to discuss the return of The Big Help Out (running June 5th–8th alongside The Eden Project’s Big Lunch) and how the initiative is going global. We also get an exclusive look at the Lloyds Bank Foundation's groundbreaking new strategy, 'In a Good Place', and explore how shifting power and money directly into communities can build crucial resilience, tackle homelessness, and drive systemic change.Please note: This episode was recorded in late 2025, so any references to "next year" apply to our current year, 2026!Brought to you by our sponsors:Investing in Volunteers: The UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers.Volunteero: Volunteer management software helping charities save time and engage their communities.Key Topics Discussed:The Origins & Future of The Big Help Out: How the pandemic inspired 12 million people to volunteer (including 4.6 million first-timers) and how Matt, alongside Catherine Johnstone of the RVS, seized the momentum to create The Big Help Out.Reaching the "1 in 5": How this year's Big Help Out is utilising influencers and simple messaging to target the 20% of the UK population who have never considered volunteering, with a special focus on young people navigating life transitions.The 'In a Good Place' Strategy: A deep dive into the Lloyds Bank Foundation's new place-based, community-led approach.The Power of Corporate Volunteering: How Lloyds Banking Group (including Scottish Widows and Halifax) mobilises its 65,000 employees with 3 paid volunteering days, and how charities can capitalise on this scarce, skills-based talent pool.Funding What Matters: Why the Lloyds Bank Foundation champions multi-year, unrestricted grants and isn't afraid to fund vital infrastructure—like CRMs—that other funders often overlook.The Risk vs. Power Dilemma: A candid conversation on the challenges large organisations face when trying to devolve power to local communities while still managing risk centrally.Links & Resources Mentioned:Get involved with The Big Help Out (June 5-8, 2026)Learn more about the Lloyds Bank FoundationComic Relief 2026Support the Show:If you found this conversation valuable, please share it with a friend, colleague, or your wider network! Time for Impact is proud to be a free resource for the sector. If you’d like to say thank you and support the work we do, you can drop a donation via our Buy Me a Coffee link: buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi.

Episode OverviewThe Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a household name in the UK, famous for its courageous work saving lives at sea. But behind the iconic orange lifeboats is a massive, highly innovative volunteering infrastructure that extends far beyond the coastline.In this episode, we sit down with Ollie Arthur from the RNLI to explore how an organisation with 23,000 volunteers manages high-stakes, life-and-death responsibilities. We dive into the RNLI’s “One Crew” culture, the power of radical trust, and some of the most unique volunteer roles in the sector. From starting volunteers at age 13 to equipping them with £2.5 million lifeboats, Ollie shares incredible insights into how the RNLI successfully embeds volunteering into its everyday workforce planning.The "One Crew" Culture: How the RNLI ensures that every staff member—whether they drive a forklift or work in finance—understands and values volunteering from day one of their induction.Radical Trust in Volunteers: What happens when you trust volunteers with a £2.5 million lifeboat? We discuss how the RNLI empowers its crew to perform under immense pressure in life-or-death situations.Pioneering the Volunteer Mediator Role: A fascinating look into the highly skilled volunteer mediators who resolve conflicts in stressful environments. We also discuss the potential for a cross-sector coalition to bring this vital role to other charities.Saving Lives Before the Water: The crucial impact of water safety education volunteers who provide sage advice and preventative care across our seas, rivers, and lakes.Engaging the Next Generation: Why the RNLI allows volunteering to start at age 13—younger than much of the sector—and how the Duke of Edinburgh awards programme plays a key role in building lifelong habits.The Power of Ad-Hoc Volunteering: How transient, flexible volunteering opportunities can not only build long-term engagement but also provide a significant boost to donations.Ollie Arthur brings a wealth of experience to his role at the RNLI. During our chat, Ollie shares his inspiring personal journey into the third sector, starting with his formative experiences in the Prince's Trust (now the King's Trust) and the Scouts, leading up to his current impact at the RNLI.23,000 total volunteers powering the RNLI.14,000 community fundraisers driving essential revenue.7,828 dedicated crew and shore personnel (with some of the most important crew members being entirely land-based!).A massive thank you to our sponsors Investing in Volunteers and Volunteero for making this episode possible:Key TakeawaysAbout Our GuestRNLI Volunteering by the NumbersSpecial Thanks to Our Sponsors

In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, Matt Cobble and Chris Wade sit down for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with Kate Lee OBE, the new CEO of NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations).Kate shares her vision for the future of the UK’s voluntary sector, moving away from the image of a "sage thought leader" and toward becoming a powerful convenor, partner, and cheerleader.Changing the Narrative: Why Kate wants to shift both the internal and external perception of charities to be more celebratory, focusing on the incredible, life-changing work the sector delivers every day.NCVO as a Convenor: How NCVO is returning to its roots—bringing great charitable thinkers together to spark the next generation of social innovation, much like it did for the many charities it helped found.Harnessing Sector Expertise: Moving from a top-down approach to one that taps into the vast wealth of knowledge held by practitioners across the country.The Data Debate: We dive into the critical importance of quality data for the sector but debate the best "home" for its collection and analysis.The Future of Mutual Aid: Exploring how the surge in local, organic community support can be sustained and integrated into the wider voluntary landscape.Partnership over Preaching: The shift from being a "body that tells" to a "body that listens and connects."NCVO Website: https://www.ncvo.org.ukTime for Impact Volunteering Strategies: Learn more about our work