Time For Impact Podcast

Episode Summary: When every second counts, who answers the call? In this episode of the Time For Impact podcast, hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble are joined by Joe Crook, the National Volunteer Lead at the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). Together, they explore the vital, life-saving role of the 9,000 volunteers embedded within UK ambulance services. Moving past the misconception...

In today’s fast-paced political landscape, ensuring young people have a voice is more crucial than ever. But how do we actually bridge the gap between disenfranchised youth and the political system? In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, host Chris Wade sits down with Dan Lawes from My Life, My Say —a national charity focused on mobilising underrepresented young communities. Crucially, th...

🎙️ The Heart of Volunteerism: Insights on Community Engagement with Angela Williamson Episode Summary What makes someone dedicate their life to giving back, and how do we design volunteer experiences that truly matter? In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, host Chris Wade sits down with seasoned volunteering consultant Angela Williamson CVA to explore the profound, community-shaping impa...

Are traditional volunteering models actually helping communities, or just making volunteers feel good? In the latest episode of the Time for Impact podcast, hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble sit down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, founder and CEO of Globe Aware. This episode dives into a fresh perspective on short-term service projects, exploring how the industry is evolving beyond outdated models to...

Guest: Matt Hyde OBE , CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales Episode Summary: What does it take to turn a moment of national crisis into a lifelong habit of community action? In this episode, we sit down with Matt Hyde, a powerhouse in the charity sector. Following an incredible tenure as CEO of the NUS and the Scouts in the UK, Matt is now the CEO of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for E...

Episode Overview The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is a household name in the UK, famous for its courageous work saving lives at sea. But behind the iconic orange lifeboats is a massive, highly innovative volunteering infrastructure that extends far beyond the coastline. In this episode, we sit down with Ollie Arthur from the RNLI to explore how an organisation with 23,000 volunteers...

In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, Matt Cobble and Chris Wade sit down for an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with Kate Lee OBE , the new CEO of NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations). Kate shares her vision for the future of the UK’s voluntary sector, moving away from the image of a "sage thought leader" and toward becoming a powerful convenor, partner,...

In this episode of the Time for Impact Podcast , we are joined by Irenie Ekkeshis , co-founder of the New Citizen Project . Irenie shares her profound personal citizenship journey—from facing significant adversity to co-founding a forward-thinking agency that is reshaping how we think about our roles in society. We dive deep into the "Citizen Story", exploring why moving away from the &q...

This episode of Time for Impact is a masterclass in challenging the "we’ve always done it this way" mentality. Join us as we sit down with Elena Laguna , a veteran leader in the sector (St John Ambulance, British Red Cross), to dismantle the rigid structures of traditional volunteering and replace them with a model built on agency, outcome, and inclusion. The Hermit Crab Philosophy: We d...

Co-hosts: Chris Wade & Matt Cobble Special Guest: Saskia Rinkoff, Volunteer Engagement Manager, Harbourfront Centre (Toronto) Recorded live at the 2025 Heritage Volunteering Group (HVG) Conference , this special 25-minute episode marks Time for Impact’s third consecutive year at the event. We are joined by Saskia Rinkoff from Toronto’s iconic Harbourfront Centre to explore the intersection of...

In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, Chris Wade and his co-host Matt Cobble engage in a conversation with Amanda Naylor OBE, CEO of Volunteering Matters. The discussion centres around the transformative power of volunteering and its role in fostering community cohesion and social justice. Amanda shares insights into the Vision for Volunteering initiative, which aims to reshape the volun...

Guest: Esther Champion, Myrtos Consultancy In this insightful episode of the Time For Impact Volunteering Innovation Podcast , Chris and Matt are joined by Esther Champion from Myrtos Consultancy. Esther specialises in guiding organisations, employers, and volunteer-involving agencies to make their activities truly inclusive for individuals with a history of being in prison. Together, we challenge...

In this episode of the Time for Impact Podcast , host Matt Cobble is joined by Anne-Marie Zaritsky , the Head of Volunteering and Inclusion at the learning disilbilities charity, Mencap . Together, they explore the mechanisms behind Mencap’s success in creating a genuinely inclusive environment. Moving beyond tick-box exercises, Anne-Marie shares how the charity ensures volunteering is accessible...

🎧 Episode Summary In this crucial episode, we sit down with Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, to unpack the brand new 2024 volunteering figures for Scotland. The data reveals a sector in recovery, with formal volunteering rates bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels. However, this positive headline masks a stark reality: significant inclusion gaps remain for people from deprived background...

In this episode, we're shifting our focus from pure innovation in programs to the personal innovations required to be a leader in the volunteer sector. We are incredibly honored to be joined by the one and only Tobi Johnson, CVA . While many of you will know Tobi from her exceptional Volpro training and the fantastic 'Volunteer Nation' podcast, this conversation goes behind the scenes....

The world of volunteerism has fundamentally changed since 2020. How can established organisations adapt to shifting demographics, motivations, and a post-pandemic market? In this episode, we go straight to the source of innovation and legacy, speaking with Karen Leies, CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the world's oldest guide dog organisation. Karen shares the unique challenges The Seeing...

One topic seems to have divided opinion in volunteerism in the UK recently. The Time for Impact Podcast is all about exploring innovation so we had to take a look at RVS's new platform plans. In this episode of "Time for Impact," we're joined by a true giant of the UK's charity and volunteering sector, Catherine Johnstone CBE , the CEO of the Royal Voluntary Service. Known as a positive disrupter,...

What does the future of volunteering look like? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Katerina Manoff, the dynamic CEO of the US charity, ENGin. Katerina, whose journey has taken her from Ukraine to Harvard and across the commercial and education sectors, shares how she is channeling her unique expertise into pioneering a new model for non-profits. ENGin connects Ukrainians of all ages looki...

How can volunteering move from being a 'nice-to-have' to a strategic asset that helps the NHS meet its most critical targets? In this episode, we uncover how HelpForce and its partners are revolutionising the role of volunteers, transforming them into a powerful force for change. We're joined by Amerjit Chohan, the new CEO of HelpForce , Laura Greene from Kingston and Richmond NHS Trust, and dedic...

In this powerful live-recorded episode, we were thrilled to partner with NAVCA (The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) to host a vital conversation in front of their members. Following up on NAVCA's excellent Guide to Inclusive Volunteering , hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble are joined by an expert panel to explore how we can move from intention to action. How do we adapt...

Is it volunteering if it's a meeting? Is it charity if it's a sales pitch? In this groundbreaking episode of Time for Impact, we sit down with Andrew Kaufmann, the visionary founder of the Time to Give Network, to challenge everything you thought you knew about giving back. Andrew, with his roots in the high-stakes world of FinTech sales, brings a revolutionary perspective to the non-profi...

Hosts: Chris Wade & Matthew Cobble Guest: Victoria McCormack, Grow Remote (Ireland) Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, Chris and Matthew are joined by the incredible Victoria McCormack from Grow Remote in Ireland. Grow Remote is a pioneering organisation dedicated to fostering vibrant communities of remote workers, not just across Ireland but beyond borders. We dive deep into how the...

Welcome & Introduction Welcome to Episode 23 of Time for Impact! This is a special celebratory episode marking the 41st Annual Volunteers' Week in the UK (June 2nd - 8th, 2025) . We're diving deep into the significance of this week, the impact of volunteering, and how we can all play a part. A huge thank you to all the incredible volunteers across the UK for their dedication and invalu...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Nicky Golding and Rachelle Lazarus from the Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) as we delve into the deep-rooted ethos and contemporary approaches to volunteering within Jewish communities. We explore the unique values that drive their commitment to service, alongside practical strategies for reward and recognition, fostering crucial connections between or...

Volunteer leaders, get ready for some inspiring and reassuring insights into volunteering from Ed, a charity CEO who's been around the block. With a long and impressive history leading volunteer-driven organisations, notably Riding for the Disabled and now Dogs for Good, Ed's got a wealth of knowledge to share. This episode offers some valuable lessons for the sector, as we chat with Ed ab...