Very Special Kids — The Heart of Compassion in Children’s Palliative Care in Australia

Organisation: Very Special Kids (VIC)

What they do:
Very Special Kids improves the quality of life for children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families through:

• Holistic paediatric palliative care
• Emotional, spiritual, and practical family support
• Advocacy and compassionate community-building
  
  

How It Started — A Legacy of Listening

Very Special Kids was established in 1985, after two families caring for children with leukemia united for support and sparked a movement. By 1986, its first — and only — employee, Sister Margaret Noone, created the organisation’s first volunteer training program. Twenty-six volunteers were trained to provide practical help and emotional support in homes, hospitals, and over the phone.

Sister Margaret’s philosophy remains the backbone of the program today:

“Most people are not looking for answers. They need someone to listen. We are there to walk with them, not to take their pain away.”

Volunteer Karen Phillips at the Very Special Kids' 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge. Photo credit: Very Special Kids

Meals That Matter

Karen Phillips, a dedicated volunteer with more than 600 hours contributed, cooks lovingly prepared meals for children staying in the hospice — adapting thoughtfully to complex dietary needs. She also prepares meals for families during end-of-life and bereavement care.
Beyond the kitchen, Karen supports fundraising events, administration, and engagement activities.
Her advice?

“Do it. There’s something for everyone, and it’s very rewarding.”

A group of volunteers at the Very Special Kids End of Year Family Day (with the coordinator in the elf jacket, bottom right). Photo Credit: Very Special Kids

The Volunteers Behind Very Special Kids’ End-of-Year Family Day

Event: End-of-Year Family Day — 300 family attendees

Very Special Kids welcomed 300 family members for a fully accessible End-of-Year Family Day — an event designed to help families connect, relax, and enjoy activities they may not otherwise be able to access.

For families caring for a child with a life-limiting condition, even a simple visit to a shopping centre for a picture with Santa can be overwhelming. This day gives families a chance to be with others who understand their experiences.

How Volunteers Made It Possible

From early morning setup to last goodbyes, Very Special Kids volunteers brought warmth, safety, and connection to the day. They:
• Prepared activity spaces, craft tables, sensory areas, and picnic zones
• Supported children through every activity, from baby animals to art stations
• Created a magical Santa’s Cave experience
• Helped families feel relaxed and included during portraits
• Managed catering and accessibility needs
• Guided families through the venue and created moments of joy at every turn

Behind the scenes, volunteers ensured smooth operations, assisted entertainers, and provided emotional and practical support wherever needed.

This story represents just one of the many volunteer teams and activities across Very Special Kids.

As we reflect on these stories, it’s impossible not to feel inspired by the remarkable community of volunteers who give their time so generously. From the joyful energy poured into the End-of-Year Family Day to the quiet, consistent dedication of individuals like Karen Phillips — who has contributed more than 600 hours of care, comfort, and connection — each act of service strengthens the fabric of support around these very special families.

Discover more volunteering stories from Very Special Kids in their annual reports.

CoppaFeel! — The UK's only youth-focused breast cancer awareness charity

Organisation: CoppaFeel!

What they do:

CoppaFeel! is the UK’s only breast cancer awareness charity focused on young people. Through education, encouragement, and empowerment, CoppaFeel! is on a mission to end the late diagnosis of breast cancer — starting important conversations where they matter most.

About their volunteers:

CoppaFeel! volunteers have all been impacted by breast cancer in some way between the ages of 18 to 35. They use real stories to encourage young people to think differently about their bodies and make chest checking a healthy habit for life.

CoppaFeel! volunteers (Boobettes). Photo credit: CoppaFeel!

Meet Shelley — CoppaFeel! Volunteer

Shelley joined CoppaFeel! in 2023 as an education speaker volunteer ("Boobette"). Since then she's done nearly 40 breast cancer awareness talks and stalls. In this time, Shelley's had quality 'chest chat' conversations with almost 2,700 young people.

”I've had opportunities to do things that I never thought I would do, I've grown so much confidence, I've made friends for life, and most importantly I know wholeheartedly I'm saving lives with their message which is the best feeling ever."

Read more about Shelley's story here.

Shelley, CoppaFeel! volunteer. Photo credit: CoppaFeel!

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park — The UK's first National Marine Park

Organisation: Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP)

What they do:

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is the UK’s first of its kind. It was created to reconnect people with the sea, and show how restoring that connection inspires positive action for people, nature and heritage. Not just in Plymouth, but across the country.

About their volunteers:

PSNMP volunteers are a vibrant community of ocean enthusiasts who play a crucial role in protecting and enriching the area's unique environment and coastal heritage. Volunteering with PSNMP isn't just about making an impact on the environment — it's also about personal growth, learning, and building connections with like-minded individuals.

Meet Tim — PSNMP Volunteer

When Tim first heard about the National Marine Park, he was excited to get involved. With a spiritual connection to the sea, and more than ten years spent as a merchant navy officer, Tim felt a strong need to be near the sea when he retired. 

”The reason that I wanted to get involved was to try and share my passion for all things ‘sea’ with other people, however, I soon learned that other people had so much that they wanted to share with me, and that started some beautiful conversations.  

I love the public engagement sessions, like Seafest. We meet such a broad range of people, from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds, and our rangers have diverse experiences and interests too. It is never boring!"

Tim, PSNMP volunteer. Photo credit: Plymouth Sound National Marine Park

Find more stories from PSNMP volunteers like Tim here.

Crisis — The National Charity for People Experiencing Homelessness in the UK

Organisation: Crisis

What they do:

Crisis supports people experiencing or at risk of homelessness across England, Scotland and Wales. The charity provides one-to-one help so individuals can access benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and they campaign for the long-term changes needed to end homelessness altogether. 

About their volunteers:

Crisis volunteers are a supportive community of people who care about ending homelessness for everyone, for good. Whether serving customers in one of the high street charity shops, doing essential admin in the office or working directly with people experiencing homelessness, Crisis volunteers make a huge difference.

Meet Nathaniel — Crisis Volunteer

Nathaniel is a returning volunteer at a Crisis at Christmas day centre, driven by empathy and a desire to make the holidays a happier time for those without the same comforts of home. 

“I enjoy volunteering because I get to interact with so many people and it’s great. I can be helping at the entertainment desk, greeting people, helping in the kitchen, sorting clothes, or serving food. I like to do a bit of everything.

“I think the important thing to me is seeing people laugh and smile. Making people feel they are human because they are and giving them that experience."

Nathaniel, Crisis at Christmas volunteer. Photo credit: Crisis

Read more stories from Crisis volunteers like Nathaniel here.

End Overdose — Committed to ending drug-related overdose deaths through education, medical intervention, and public awareness in the US

Organisation: End Overdose

What they do:

End Overdose is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preventing drug-related overdose deaths. Driven by the vision that "No One Else Has To D!e," they directly address the opioid crisis—which claimed nearly 108,000 lives in 2022, primarily involving opioids—by focusing on youth and expanding access to vital prevention resources.

Their core work involves equipping communities with training, naloxone, and test strips, ensuring these resources and education are no-cost and immediately accessible online. They commit to culturally relevant and compassionate messaging, youth empowerment, and fostering peer-to-peer education through over 500 volunteers and 50 chapters nationwide. Furthermore, they leverage a digital community and social media influencers for compelling messaging campaigns and believe in sustainable initiatives and community partnerships across music, art, education, and government to amplify their impact.

About their volunteers:

Volunteers are the driving force behind End Overdose, which operates with over 500 volunteers across 50 chapters nationwide. Their primary roles centre on:

• Peer-to-Peer Education and Outreach: Volunteers conduct local education, outreach, and fundraising activities, often on college campuses and within local communities, to empower their peers.
• Resource Distribution: They are instrumental in the distribution of overdose prevention resources, including Naloxone (opioid reversal medication) and Fentanyl Test Strips.
• Community Action: Volunteers are responsible for hosting and staffing events to raise awareness and provide hands-on training. They scale the organisation's impact using a Chapter leadership model to manage local operations and engagement.

The volunteer program is often fuelled by individuals who have strong personal ties to the cause, such as those who have lost loved ones or been saved by naloxone, reinforcing their commitment to providing life-saving tools and knowledge.

Meet Maddie Ward, COO at End Overdose

Maddie, a UCLA Cognitive Science graduate specialising in computing, currently serves as the COO of End Overdose, leveraging her strong background in technology, science, and community service. During her undergraduate career, she co-founded and led the UCLA End Overdose chapter for 2.5 years, earning significant campus recognition for her dedication to community upliftment and driving initiatives to increase the organisation's nationwide reach.

"Our previous platform also had less functionality which required us to use additional platforms, and the transfer of information between platforms contributed a great deal to the amount of time spent recruiting, onboarding, and maintaining volunteers."

Maddie Ward, COO at End Overdose, promoting End Overdose at a festival in the USA. Photo credit: VoyageLA

Read more about how End Overdose increased its volunteer base by 150% and cut admin time in Half in this End Overdose case study.

Thank you to all volunteers

This International Volunteer Day, we honour the countless individuals who give their time, skill, and heart to lift others. Their contributions — in hospitals, in emergencies, in community centres, in classrooms, and in homes — are the threads that hold our communities together.

Thank you to every volunteer, everywhere.