Voluntary Action South East (VASE) has launched a new campaign — Volunteer Once, See What Happens… — encouraging people across Surrey East to try volunteering just once and experience the unexpected impact it can have.
The campaign is built on a simple idea: most volunteers don’t begin with a long-term plan. They begin with a moment — a spark of curiosity, a desire to help, a single hour offered to a local group. From that one moment, something shifts. Confidence grows. Skills develop. New friendships form. Communities strengthen. People discover they have more to give — and more to gain — often far more than they imagined.
“Volunteering doesn’t have to start with a big decision,” said Samantha Aung Thin, CEO of VASE. “It can start with one small action — an hour, a conversation, a single moment of connection. We’ve seen time and again how that first step opens doors to confidence, community and purpose. This campaign is about making that step feel easy, welcoming and accessible to everyone.”
Volunteer Once, See What Happens… invites anyone, whether completely new to volunteering or returning after time away, to take that first step with no pressure and no commitment. Just one experience to see where it leads.
The campaign highlights the many reasons people choose to volunteer: to give back, build experience, meet new people or simply try something different. Whatever the motivation, that first ‘once’ can be the beginning of something bigger.
Trish Kiy, VASE Volunteer Centre Manager, added: “I meet people who say, ‘I didn’t think volunteering was for me,’ until they tried it. We speak to volunteers and groups across East Surrey every day and it is just one experience that can change how people see themselves and their community.
“We want to make it as simple as possible for residents to dip a toe in and discover what volunteering can offer. All it takes, or it can take, the time for a conversation to find a volunteering opportunity that can change a lot…”
The message is clear:
Try it once. See how it feels. See what you learn. See who you meet.
See what happens.
Whether you’re looking to reconnect, grow your skills, or make a difference close to home, your “once” could be the start of something meaningful.
Volunteer once. See what happens…
You might surprise yourself.