What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
We recently welcomed Sarah Vargerson to our team, where she will take on the exciting new role of Volunteer Programme Lead. We sat down with Sarah to learn more about the projects she will be working on and how volunteering has shaped her life.
Sarah’s volunteering journey began thousands of miles away. After graduating from university, Sarah spent time working with local NGOs in India, providing arts and crafts activities for children with special educational needs. This sparked her interest in volunteering and the positive impact it has.
“When I came back to the UK, I wanted to embed volunteering into my everyday life”, Sarah explains. And that’s exactly what she did. On moving back home, Sarah started a career in corporate retail design teams, alongside running Girlguiding groups in East London. For 14 years, Sarah worked with the charity to build volunteer teams, organise adventure trips, source venues, and develop creative programmes for groups of girls aged 7-10yrs.
After three years running a small business start-up, focussed on sustainability and public engagement, Sarah then decided to combine her skills to transition into Volunteer Management, becoming a Volunteer Manager for Barnardo’s, one of the UK’s leading children’s charities.
This led nicely to the role she has taken up here at Coin Street, as Volunteer Programme Lead, working on the Connecting Waterloo Community Project. Through her work, she hopes to grow and support a thriving volunteer community across Coin Street and our partner organisations.
“I’m excited to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that benefit both the community and the volunteers themselves”. Her role will focus on building structured, accessible, and inclusive pathways for people of all backgrounds to give their time, learn new skills, and make a difference. So why should someone consider volunteering?
According to Sarah, it’s not just about giving back; it’s also about what you gain: “Volunteering offers people a chance to feel connected, build confidence, and develop new skills. It’s also an opportunity to meet others, gain experience that can support career growth, and feel a genuine sense of purpose.”
If you’re a student, retiree, or somewhere in between, volunteering can help you grow personally and professionally while making a tangible impact in your community. We offer a variety of ways to get involved, whether you're interested in arts and culture, youth engagement and activities, community events, helping seniors, or supporting local services. Sarah is working closely with local partners to develop roles that are flexible, inclusive, and designed to fit around your schedule and interests.
You can find out more about current volunteer opportunities on our volunteer page. From there, you can register your interest, explore open roles, and even hear from current volunteers about their experiences.
If you're new to volunteering or looking to return, now is the perfect time to get involved. You’ll find a supportive space to grow, connect, and contribute to a community that truly values what every volunteer brings.
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