Volunteer Spotlight: Felix Viet-Jacobsen

Felix joined TimeGivers through a recommendation from Elena, one of our long-standing volunteers and the creator of Skipping Down the Canal, an Instagram page dedicated to keeping local waterways clean.

With some free time before starting university, Felix was looking for a meaningful way to give back to his community. What followed was a month of wholehearted involvement across a wide range of TimeGivers projects.

From supporting both of our Giving Back Days in July to helping with intergenerational visits and environmental projects, Felix threw himself into every opportunity. Along the way, he challenged himself to take on new responsibilities, confidently leading small groups and supporting fellow volunteers with initiative and care.

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

One of the things that stood out most about Felix was his willingness to step outside his comfort zone. He embraced every experience with enthusiasm and quickly became a positive role model for the young people he worked alongside.

Reflecting on how he first discovered TimeGivers, Felix said:

"I first heard about TimeGivers through a friend (Elena) who had done a litter pick and told me about the charity as she thought it was something I would be interested in."

Building Connections Through Volunteering

For Felix, volunteering has been about much more than giving his time.

"Volunteering with TimeGivers has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and that's largely due to the children - seeing how enthusiastic they are is infectious, and makes you want to keep coming back."

He also spoke about how the experience strengthened his connection to his local community.

"It's reminded me how important community is and how to look for it and get involved in my area - from visiting elderly people in care homes to just cleaning up my local environment. It's made me feel more connected to where I live."

Why It Matters for Young People

Felix believes volunteering helps young people see that they can make a genuine difference.

"Many children grasp why protecting the environment is good, or loneliness is a problem, but only after volunteering do you see their perspective shift on their role in these issues, and how they can have an impact through their actions."

He has seen first-hand how volunteering can build confidence and encourage young people to stay involved in their communities as they grow older.

A Memorable Moment

One experience stood out above all others for Felix: an intergenerational visit bringing together Spanish students and older residents in a care home.

"I was nervous before as it was not something I had done before, but I was blown away by how everyone took to it. They played games and chatted with the guests, made jokes and laughed, and it was heart-warming seeing everyone lighten up and get along with one another. We all left with a glow."

The session perfectly captured the power of bringing people together across generations and backgrounds.

Why TimeGivers?

When asked what he enjoys most about volunteering with TimeGivers, Felix's answer was simple:

"By a long way, it's the people. From my very first volunteering experience, I felt completely welcomed into the TimeGivers 'family'."

As Felix prepares to continue his studies, we're delighted that he plans to keep volunteering and stay connected to the TimeGivers community. His energy, openness and commitment have made a real impact, and we're proud to have him as part of the team.

Originally featured in our July 2025 newsletter, this spotlight was one of many stories celebrating the people making a difference through TimeGivers. Take a look at the full newsletter to see what else we got up to that month.

TimeGivers Volunteer Spotlight: Felix Viet-Jacobsen | July 2025