Since 2010, we’ve worked with PA to match their experts with social entrepreneurs in our community. Through tailored volunteering opportunities, including workshops, masterclasses and bid-writing clinics, more than 800 volunteers have supported over 350 ventures. This support has helped social entrepreneurs build their confidence, measure their impact and present their projects to funders. To mark this year’s Volunteers’ Week campaign, we spoke to PA volunteers and social entrepreneurs about the difference this partnership makes - for both sides.

Juan Lopez, founder of Raza Sana CIC, shares how PA volunteers helped him to present the impact of his work more clearly and grow in confidence when telling his story.

Olivia Selbie, sustainability expert at PA Consulting, reflects on the value of collaboration and bringing fresh perspectives. As a volunteer, she’s supported entrepreneurs with funding bids and impact measurement - and found that solving new problems and meeting new people is very rewarding.

Adam Stringer, financial expert at PA Consulting, speaks about the alignment between PA’s mission and the drive of social entrepreneurs, and how volunteering supports innovation. He encourages other professionals to find their unique way to get involved, sharing that targeted, specialist support often has the greatest impact.

Adam shares his stand-out memories of volunteering - those moments when everything clicks, and the way forward becomes clear. He notes that many PA volunteers enjoy their initial experience so much they return again and again.

Our final video brings together Juan, Olivia and Adam. Their reflections highlight the real-world impact of volunteering - not just for the ventures supported, but for the volunteers themselves.

These moments of connection show what’s possible when people come together to share their time and skills.