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Volunteers are often the backbone to small charities. However, according to Pro Bono Economics, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small charities to find support, with 65% struggling with this. Are you keen to address this by sharing your skills? Read on. 

A little time can go a long way, as illustrated by BlackRock Social Impact Associate, Lydia Ricca’s volunteering experience with Youth Leads UK. BlackRock have partnered with The Fore since our founding in 2017 to provide support to exceptional small charities. Already an active volunteer involved in youth development through mentoring and employability support, Lydia was eager to explore new avenues. We had the perfect opportunity in mind.  

Youth Leads UK immerses working-class young people around Greater Manchester in social action and decision-making projects, ensuring their voices are heard. Having developed a new strategy, they needed help creating marketing materials to convey their message to potential partners and drive sustainable growth. Low on time and capacity, they reached out to The Fore to advertise the role to our Pro Bono Network.   

Lydia saw this as the perfect opportunity to develop new skills and was open to helping. Drawing on her experience in corporate partnerships and her passion for Youth Leads UK’s mission, she taught herself to use Adobe InDesign and got to work.  

“Their mission made total sense to me, and I was determined to convey it effectively” – Lydia  

Over the course of just six conversations, Lydia provided invaluable input that has had a lasting impact on the organisation, putting them in a stronger position when engaging with potential partners.  

“Lydia took the time to understand us and our work and translated our passion into the marketing materials which we use on a daily basis,” – Saeed Atcha MBE DL, CEO, Youth Leads UK. 

For Lydia, the experience was both educational and fulfilling. 

 “The best part was immersing myself in Youth Leads UK’s work to truly understand the audience and the aims of each programme” Lydia shared.  

If Lydia’s story has inspired you, consider how you might use your skills to make a difference. Even a few hours of your time could have a significant impact on organisations like Youth Leads UK. Visit our website directory to see live opportunities or reach out directly at [email protected]  to learn more about how you can get involved.