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Leathersellers’ Review 2024–2025
be able to do our meal kits or run our education programmes. They’re amazing.” Sharon’s journey from greeting visitors at The Mill to her appointment as Chair of Trustees is indicative of the value and weight that the volunteer voice carries within small charities, contributing not only to running the organisations they support, but also to how they’re run. One of the things that Sharon did when she became a trustee was to introduce ‘Mill meet-ups.’ Every two months, anybody involved – in any capacity – is invited to come along to discuss how The Mill works and share their ideas for the future. “I’ve consulted with people at the meet-ups about The Mill’s 2023–2025 strategy, for example,” says Sharon. “It’s a way to get more ideas and a real opportunity for people to feel involved in how things happen.” Sharon believes that volunteers build on the strengths and skills that already exist in the community. “We say to people, ‘If you think there’s something that’s needed in the community, how can you make that happen? And how can we help you?’ Even if they might be having difficulties in some other area of their life, it doesn’t mean that they can’t still be contributing in some way. We see everybody as being able to contribute.” Looking to the future The experiences shared by Rachel, Sharon and volunteers across the small charities that the Foundation supports are undoubtedly positive. While there is concerning reliance on the growing need for volunteers to provide charitable services, it enriches not just the individual and the charity, but also the community. The task then is how to provide the correct and commensurate assistance to support such a laudable and valuable contribution. Stacey says, “As we deservedly celebrate the incredible work and commitment of volunteers and what small charities have been able to sustain against all odds, we should be conscious of the growing dependency and limitations of this model, and ensure that the necessary structural support is in place to consider both the well-being and mutual benefit of all involved.” Melanie, founder of The Mazi Project agrees. “There’s only so much you should ask of volunteers – and the voluntary sector in general – when it comes to tackling human rights issues,” she says. “It’s scary how much we can be dependent on volunteers. We definitely couldn’t function without them. And they continue to be a real source of hope in a volatile world.”
Above and right: Volunteers help prepare and pack food parcels at The Mazi Project
Sharon says. “I wanted to volunteer to have purpose and structure. Because my work had been outside of the borough, I only had one friend in Walthamstow. Now, through The Mill, I know all these people and have all these connections. That’s the kind of thing that helps a community to be more resilient.” A win-win for communities Traditional ideas of volunteering may raise images of fundraising on the high street, making tea, or taking calls. For the volunteers of the small charities supported by the Leathersellers, this is not necessarily the reality. The skills that volunteers bring are often advanced, meeting a critical skills gap in the organisation. “It’s changed my life. It’s made me realise how much better I feel when I’m eating well and it’s made so much difference to my confidence in life.” The Mazi Project’s founder, Melanie Vaxevanakis, says that volunteers such as Rachel always “go the extra mile.” She says, “Rachel helps us with impact measurement, we have a volunteer finance manager, a volunteer who helps us with social media and many others. Without volunteers we wouldn’t
“The Mazi Project gives me confidence to cook and inspires me to care about my health and well-being.”
About the Leathersellers’ Small Grants Programme The Leathersellers’ Small Grants Programme reopened on a rolling basis on 1st September 2025. UK charities and CIOs meeting an identified need in their community are welcome to apply online for an unrestricted grant of up to £5,000.
Photography: Callum Toy
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