Date published: 17 September 2025 by Pauline Bolt

Meet Chloe, a Long-Standing Office Volunteer at Head Office

For the last 16 years, I've been volunteering at head office in Leatherhead, Surrey. It's a charity very close to my heart, and I love doing my part to help. Things might take me a little longer, but I always get there, and the people at Rainbow Trust are so understanding. The office is also easy to get around with my rollator, which is a huge help.

I do all sorts of different jobs—counting money, sending out packs, updating databases, and helping with events. You could say I mainly help the volunteer team, but I'm always ready to jump in and help anyone who needs it. As a volunteer, you truly feel like you're part of the team and that your work is valued.

I've seen a lot of changes over the years, from new staff to a new office, and Rainbow Trust has always been supportive. Especially during COVID, they were there for me. Since I had to be very careful, I worked from home a lot and had video calls with my volunteer manager every couple of weeks. Even when I couldn't come in, I still found a way to help by making and selling handmade cards to support the charity. I started it during lockdown, and I still sell them every year.

If you have a disability and want to volunteer, I'd say just go for it!

My confidence has improved so much since I started volunteering, and it's a great feeling to know I'm making a difference. Just find a place that will support you and makes you feel like part of the team. That's exactly how I feel about Rainbow Trust.