Empowering Young Women through Volunteering

At Vinspired, we take pride in empowering young individuals across the country to reach their full potential. Interestingly, 60% of our beneficiaries are women. While we encourage participation in social action across every demographic, it is incredibly inspiring to see so many young women leveraging volunteering to lead social change and shape their communities.

In the UK, there is a noticeable increase in young women actively participating in issues that concern them. Whether it’s attending Women’s Marches, engaging in campaigns like “What Women Want”, or spearheading their own social action projects, young women are making their voices heard.

Rand’s Story: Art Therapy for Refugee Children

Rand, a 22-year-old from Manchester, exemplifies the power of volunteering. She utilized a Vinspired Cashpoint grant to create and manage an Art Therapy social action project called “Artful Children”. This initiative supported Syrian refugee children aged 4-10 in Manchester, offering them a safe environment to engage in arts, improve their English, and integrate into their new community. Rand managed eight weekly sessions, all powered by volunteers, and was recognized as a Vinspired Volunteer Superhero in 2016.

When asked about her inspiration for the project, Rand shared:

“I was motivated to start social action after hearing about the Syrian refugee crisis in the news. My father is Syrian, and I knew many refugees would be coming to Manchester. I wanted to help, so I collaborated with the community to provide support to the children, helping them adjust to new schools and learn the language.”

Supporting Women and Girls

The team and trustees at Vinspired are dedicated to supporting women and girls, enabling them to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Vinspired offers a platform for young people to make a difference, whether through global politics, national campaigns, or local initiatives.

Having faced challenges as a woman in the workplace, I am proud to lead an organization that empowers girls and women. Volunteering equips participants with confidence and resilience, essential tools to thrive despite societal challenges.

Celebrating Our Young Trustees

I am particularly inspired by Elizabeth, one of our young trustees. Her dedication and professionalism in balancing volunteering with her career is commendable. She shares:

“Volunteering has enriched my life with diverse experiences and opportunities, allowing me to connect with people from all backgrounds. Becoming a trustee for Vinspired is one of my proudest achievements, reminding me that age and gender should never be barriers.”

Happy International Women’s Day!

For more stories of empowerment, check out How we Empower Young Women and learn about Lizzie’s journey from volunteer to young trustee.