Volunteer Spotlight: Justina Budreikaite

Justina first joined TimeGivers after meeting our founder, Kate, at Feltham Community Development Association (FCDA), where she was running a textiles class that brought local residents together through creativity and community.

From the very beginning, Justina's warmth, positivity and natural ability to connect with people stood out. When TimeGivers began working with Springwest Academy and was looking for volunteers to support creative activities with young people, Justina didn't hesitate to get involved.

Since then, she has become a valued member of our volunteer team, supporting everything from gardening projects and art activities to leading her own mosaic workshops. Although her previous experience had mainly been with adults, she quickly adapted to working with young people, bringing patience, enthusiasm and creativity to every session.

Bringing Creativity to the Community

One of Justina's most significant contributions came through the Feltham Mural Art Project, a partnership between TimeGivers and Hounslow Council.

Working with students from three local schools, Justina created a large-scale mosaic mural celebrating themes of growth, diversity and belonging. The finished artwork now brightens the walls of the Emily Café, transforming a once-neglected space into a colourful community landmark.

Her creativity, local knowledge and commitment to helping young people contribute to their community made her an invaluable part of the project.

Finding Community Through Volunteering

Justina first heard about TimeGivers through a simple act of kindness.

"I first heard about TimeGivers when they came to the centre where I work and kindly donated a few boxes of doughnuts in individual paper bags, each with a lovely handwritten message from the kids."

The thoughtfulness behind the project immediately resonated with her.

"They then explained what they do and I loved the concept, so I decided to join them whenever I could."

Why It Matters for Young People

For Justina, one of the most important lessons TimeGivers teaches is that everyone has something valuable to give.

"What I love most is the main message: teaching children to be kind and that even if you don't have anything material to give, you can still give your time for the greater good or to help in your community."

She believes these experiences help young people understand the value of kindness, empathy and community from an early age.

A Special Memory

One moment that stands out for Justina happened during a school volunteering session.

"One child asked us to play a popular song on YouTube and soon everyone was drawing and singing along together. It was magical - all the teachers were smiling at each other."

It was a simple moment, but one that captured the joy and connection that volunteering can create.

Why TimeGivers?

When reflecting on her experience, Justina spoke about the sense of community she has found through volunteering.

“Working with TimeGivers has brought me a real sense of community and sharing.”

She also spoke about the broader impact she has seen across schools and community spaces, where young people are encouraged to give back in meaningful ways.

“They’re bridging the gap between young people and care homes, where it's much needed, and bringing hope and gifts to so many places - cat shelters, food banks, care homes - and it’s wonderful to see.”

Justina also shared her admiration for the vision behind TimeGivers and the way it is led:

“I also love that the founder, Kate, is such a visionary. She sees things differently and bridges important gaps where few others would. She rolls up her sleeves and makes things happen no matter what and I have a lot of respect for her brilliant mind, work ethic and the amazing team behind her.”

Today, Justina remains a much-loved part of the TimeGivers family. Her creativity, generosity and dedication have helped us build stronger connections in Feltham and inspired countless young people along the way.

Originally featured in our October 2025 newsletter, this spotlight celebrates one of the volunteers helping to bring creativity, kindness and community spirit to everything we do at TimeGivers.

TimeGivers Volunteer Spotlight: Justina Budreikaite| October 2025