Meet Samantha Hill, our Volunteer Officer

Since joining TimeGivers in February 2025, Sam has already made a significant impact.

As our Volunteer Officer, Sam has brought fresh ideas, expertise and creativity to the way we support our Adult Volunteers, recognising from the beginning that they are fundamental to the success of everything we do.

From volunteer recruitment and onboarding to training, relationship-building and creating new ways for skilled volunteers to get involved, Sam is helping strengthen the experience we offer while building a robust foundation for the continued growth of our volunteer network.

With TimeGivers still at the beginning of our journey, we feel incredibly lucky to have Sam alongside us as we enter this next chapter.

As our Founder, Kate Deighton, puts it:

“None of this would be possible without our incredible Adult Volunteers, and I know they're in the very best hands with Sam. We are so grateful to have her as part of the TimeGivers team and I am excited to see everything she continues to achieve.”

Sam tells us more about her journey, what inspired her to join TimeGivers and what she hopes to build with our volunteer community.

A Volunteering Journey Comes Full Circle

Sam's own experience of volunteering began when she was at secondary school in New Zealand. She volunteered with a programme called Big Brother Big Sister, visiting a young girl at her primary school each week.

The experience stayed with her long after the volunteering ended.

“I thought I was volunteering to help her, but I didn't realise how much I would grow from the experience too.”

Through the experience, Sam found herself becoming more creative, confident and empathetic, while watching the young girl gradually become more confident, make new friends and become more independent.

“It showed me just how much giving your time can positively impact someone else's life.”

When Sam discovered TimeGivers, she saw an opportunity to help create those same experiences for other young people.

Since joining the team, she describes the experience as a “whirlwind”, from learning about the UK education system to getting to know the TimeGivers team and volunteer community.

“I've learnt so much already and I'm excited to continue learning and growing.”

From Worms to Wisdom: Learning Through Doing

While there have already been many memorable moments, gardening events have been a particular highlight for Sam.

Growing up, Sam spent time gardening with her parents, learning about composting, planting, weeding and pest control. Now, she has been able to bring some of that knowledge into her work with young people.

One memorable moment involved a group of students who were less than enthusiastic about the worms they encountered while gardening.

“They went from screeching in terror to carefully moving the worms out of the way while we gardened.”

Later, Sam overheard one of the students confidently explaining to others how worms help break down leaves and create healthy soil - while holding one in their hand.

For Sam, moments like this demonstrate just how quickly young people can learn when they are given the opportunity to explore something for themselves.

“Young people are like sponges. It's up to us to give them the opportunities and experiences they'll soak up and carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Bringing Creativity Into Volunteering

Before joining TimeGivers, Sam worked as a Programme Coordinator in New Zealand, organising workshops in secondary schools to encourage students to consider careers in healthcare. She also coordinated university student volunteers.

These experiences gave her a strong understanding of working with schools, making activities accessible and engaging and supporting younger volunteers - skills that have translated naturally into her role at TimeGivers.

But one of the strengths Sam has discovered in her new role is perhaps a little less conventional: her love of hands-on hobbies.

“I've always enjoyed trying new crafts, but I never imagined those skills would become part of my role.”

From sewing and crochet to gardening and eco-crafts, Sam enjoys bringing practical activities into sessions and helping the team develop new ideas for events.

“It's even encouraged me to keep picking up new hobbies - just in case they become the next fun activity or donation idea!”

Building an Even Better Adult Volunteer Experience

Looking ahead, Sam is excited to continue developing the Adult Volunteer programme and making it as smooth, rewarding and accessible as possible.

That includes creating and adapting training and safeguarding resources, developing clearer processes and finding more ways for volunteers to get involved through clubs, events and other opportunities.

“I'm really looking forward to continuing to work alongside our volunteers and creating resources and processes that make volunteering with TimeGivers as smooth, enjoyable and rewarding as possible.”

For Sam, building the programme is also about building relationships.

“It's been such a pleasure getting to know so many of our volunteers already, and I'm looking forward to meeting even more people at our upcoming social events and spending more time with everyone in person.”

Sam's journey from volunteering as a student in New Zealand to supporting TimeGivers' growing volunteer community is a reminder of the lasting impact that volunteering can have - not only on the people receiving support, but on the volunteers themselves.

We are incredibly excited to see what Sam continues to build as TimeGivers grows and grateful to have her creativity, care and commitment as part of the team.

Samantha's interview originally featured in our July 2026 Newsletter.

TimeGivers Team Spotlight: Samantha Hill | July 2026