Volunteering with MACS
Real Support and Real Impact.
It’s Volunteer Week – a time to celebrate the amazing people who give their time to support young people at MACS.
We caught up with Sarah-Ann, who leads our volunteer programme, to hear more about the difference volunteers make, what the role involves, and why they’re such a vital part of the MACS family.
What makes volunteers so important to MACS?
Volunteers are at the heart of our organisation. They help and enable us to provide vital support to young people through our Wellbeing Support Service.
They are part of our team and truly invaluable to MACS. Their selfless contribution of time and skills allows us to reach more young people and support them in the best way we can during the short time we have with them.
Can you share one moment that really shows the difference a volunteer made?
Our volunteers are matched with young people for 12 weeks, and during that time, real relationships are built—based on mutual respect, shared interests, and a desire to reach a goal.
One match that really stands out for me is when a volunteer, Robin, was matched with a young person called Scott. Scott had been in and out of care for most of his adolescence. When he was referred to the MACS Wellbeing Service, he was unsure how he was going to cope living alone.
MACS helped him secure a flat after leaving care at 18, but he was moved to an unfamiliar area and didn’t know how to settle in or be a good neighbour.
Robin was matched with Scott, and over the 12 weeks, Scott flourished. His confidence grew enormously, and Robin’s genuine investment in him made a huge impact. With Robin’s support, Scott applied for jobs and attended interviews—something he didn’t feel capable of before.
Robin also encouraged Scott to take part in social activities he’d never had access to. After the match ended, Scott said:
“I’m really going to miss Robin and don’t know what I’ll do without him. He has been the best role model in my life and has really encouraged me to reach my full potential—he’s the first person to do that.”
I hadn’t long started in MACS when I heard those words, and they’ve stuck with me ever since. Six and a half years later, I still regularly hear young people speak so highly of their mentors and the service.
What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with us?
DO IT! Come and volunteer with us!
It’s a simple process—fast and painless—but if you’re looking to make a real difference, volunteering with MACS is a rewarding way to give back, meet new people, and be part of something meaningful.
Whether you’ve a few hours a week or just want to help at events, your time and energy can change lives. Why not join our team and help create a brighter future for our young people—one act at a time?
How do volunteers reflect MACS’ values in action?
MACS values are built into our volunteer training and link directly to the skills our volunteers bring.
Our volunteers empower young people, encouraging them to take ownership of their lives and try things they believe might help. They foster togetherness, connecting young people to their communities and making them feel seen, supported, and capable.
Volunteers give young people a sense of purpose. Over their 12 weeks together, mentors and young people work towards goals set by the young person themselves. This structure—alongside the encouragement and consistency of a mentor—is exactly what many young people need to try something new and believe in their potential.
Many volunteers come in to motivate, but they end up inspiring. Young people often tell us how their mentor’s approach to life has opened their eyes and changed their perspective.
What does Volunteer Week mean to you personally?
Volunteer Week gives us the chance to shout about our incredible volunteers and the amazing work they do every day.
While we celebrate them year-round with regular events, this week offers a special platform to recognise them—not just as individuals, but as a collective.
It’s also a chance for volunteers to come together, connect, and support each other. And importantly, it gives them the opportunity to spend time with their families. MACS asks a lot of their time, so it’s nice to give something back and create meaningful moments for them and their loved ones.
Click the link below and apply to be a volunteer at MACS.