Charlotte Gray

I lead the development and management of our charity and community partnerships, working with community organisations, charities, councils, and youth hubs to create meaningful volunteering opportunities for our schools’ programmes. My role focuses on building and sustaining partnerships, supporting programme delivery, and developing new opportunities, including our holiday and youth hub provision, to ensure our work benefits both schools and the wider community and enables long-term impact. I also create our social media content, helping to share our work with wider audiences.

I have a background in the charity and social impact sector, working in a variety of areas from community development, partnerships, research, and community-facing roles. My experience includes supporting education and equalities projects at the National Children’s Bureau, supporting community-led projects, research on sustainability, coordinating events and communications, and contributing to social media and communication strategies across different organisations.

I hold a BA in International Development and Anthropology from the University of Sussex and an MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development from SOAS University of London. I grew up living and and studying in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Shanghai, China, which has also informed my international outlook and commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and community-led approaches.

I’ve been passionate about giving back since high school, where I went from fundraising to initiating and leading volunteering projects for my peers from the age of 16. Those early experiences shaped my values and sparked my long-term commitment to volunteering.

Working at TimeGivers feels like a full-circle moment, supporting young people to engage with their communities in the same way I once did. Especially in a city like London, where it’s easy to feel disconnected, I believe that giving back plays a vital role in wellbeing and belonging.

My favourite volunteering event was one of our collaborations with Healing Homes West, where students helped paint the communal areas of a women’s refuge. Healing Homes transforms living spaces in West London that may be uninhabitable or challenging home environments, creating a sense of dignity, comfort and care.

The immediacy of the impact was really powerful, and witnessing the students realise that they can make a real difference in another person’s life was inspiring. It captured the idea that volunteering doesn’t always need to be complicated and that through simple activities, we can address real needs and create a sense of connection and purpose.