Volunteers' Week 2025: Meet some of our volunteers

This week (Monday 2 - Sunday 8 June 2025) is Volunteers' Week - a chance to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.

The campaign, which was launched over 40 years ago helps charities, organisations and communities say "thank you" to all of their volunteers (both current and past), for the efforts they put in, using their free time.

At Clothing Collective we are like many other small charities, who rely on volunteers to keep the charity working on achieving our mission.

From our Board of Trustees, to fundraisers and communications specialists, we've got a wonderful group of people who are helping to spread awareness and raise valuable funds for us.

We are going to profile a few of them over the next few months and felt this Volunteers' Week was a good chance to kick that off.

Here's a Q&A with three of our volunteers - Emma, Megan and Canon - which dives into more about their involvement with Clothing Collective.

Emma Prior

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I have a decade of diverse professional experience as a volunteer coordinator, working with volunteer team of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I am passionate about fostering community connections, creating impactful volunteer programmes that align with organisational values and empower individuals. 

What inspired you to get involved with us?

I want to contribute my time and expertise to support a charitable mission that helps individuals in need access clothing.

What kind of volunteering work do you do?

As the Volunteer Manager at Clothing Collective, I support a team of remote volunteers. My goal is to develop a robust volunteer strategy that empowers both current and future volunteers to thrive in their roles.  

What are you looking forward to most about volunteering with us over the next year or so?

I look forward to supporting the growth and development of the volunteer team at Clothing Collective. 

How does volunteering fit into your life outside of the charity?

I have tried to volunteer throughout my adult life, looking for new experiences and support positive causes. 

Why do you think the work Clothing Collective does is important?

It’s always important to support those in need and the most vulnerable in our society. At the same time, we face a major challenge with the large amount of clothing being discarded each year. Providing access to clothing for those in need is a powerful way to address two issues at once—supporting vulnerable individuals and reducing textile waste.  

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with us?

You can make a real difference in someone’s life by dedicating just a few hours a week to support our charity’s mission. Our team is friendly, supportive, and passionate about creating positive change. There are also plenty of opportunities to develop new skills and get involved in meaningful ways. 

Megan Turner

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I’m a copywriter, mostly for education, and have been for the past five years. 

What inspired you to get involved with our charity?

I have witnessed clothing poverty first-hand in my personal life, and I know how important the cause is.  

What kind of volunteering work do you do?

I am a content writer (blogs/articles) for the Clothing Collective website - Have a read of one of Megan's latest articles ' The Expense of Fast Fashion'.

What are you looking forward to most about volunteering with us over the next year or so?

Using my content and search engine optimisation skills to help the organisation grow its visibility and therefore donations. 

How does volunteering fit into your life outside of the charity?

My volunteering with Clothing Collective keeps me in check with continuing to shop sustainably.  

Why do you think the work Clothing Collective does is important?

Clothing Collective plays a massive role in addressing clothing poverty across the UK by providing individuals in need with access to essential clothing through a sustainable and empowering model.  

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with us?

You can make a real, tangible difference. Clothing Collective directly helps people in need by giving them the dignity of choice when it comes to clothing — something many of us take for granted. 

Canon Zhang

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I’m Canon. I recently graduated with an MA in Creativity from the University of Exeter last year. My professional background includes marketing strategy, KOL collaboration, paid social, and event planning. I love providing experience, service, and happiness, that bring real value to people. 

What inspired you to get involved with us?

I’m passionate about creating content that is creative, engaging, and resonates with people. Clothing Collective supports those in need by providing clothing, and I want to use my skills to help amplify that impact.  

What kind of volunteering work do you do?

I create and deliver visual content for TikTok, from ideation to production and editing, building awareness and drive meaningful engagement.  

What are you looking forward to most about volunteering with us over the next year or so?

I'm most excited to find more ways to make powerful impacts and let more people know about us. I also look forward to collaborating with passionate people here.  

How does volunteering fit into your life outside of the charity?

I try to be thoughtful and kind in everyday life, even through small actions. For example, when I’m working at a supermarket, I often help pack groceries for parents carrying children or offer a hand to workers lifting heavy items. Volunteering aligns with these values and allows me to contribute in a more meaningful and consistent way.  

Why do you think the work Clothing Collective does is important?

Clothing is more than a basic need—it’s tied to confidence, dignity, and opportunity. By providing clothing access, the Clothing Collective helps people move forward with greater security and self-worth, and that’s incredibly meaningful.  

What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering for us?

Absolutely go for it. There’s nothing better than when your own growth aligns with what the organization is striving for. Everyone here is kind and supportive. You’re not treated like just a worker — your needs and ideas are truly seen and valued.  

On behalf of Clothing Collective, we would like to say a big 'thank you' to Emma, Megan and Canon, and all of our wonderful volunteers.

Look out for more volunteer profiles over the next few months. And if you're interested in potentially volunteering with us, then you can get in touch here.