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As Christmas and New Year has come and gone and we are well into 2026 (staring at February already!), we wanted to take a moment to look back on 2025 and what a truly fantastic year it was for us.
A Year of Growth
We are so excited and so proud to see that Vocational Impact has doubled in size AGAIN! From enquiries sent to plane tickets purchased – we are communicating with more lovely folks than ever, all looking to make a difference.
We have sent groups almost every month and we are ALREADY filling programmes for 2026!
Our 2025 cohort has been out of this world.Thank you for your incredible work and dedication, we cannot wait to see what you get up to next.
On the subject of what comes next, we are also filling out more and more references than ever before! Volunteers who have joined us are going on to do such extraordinary things.
We’ve filled out references for previous volunteers going into support work in the psychology field, legal work, and even into the police!
Other Ways in Which We've Grown
As many of our programmes have grown, we have begun looking at expansion and developing other programmes in other locations! The team are beavering away behind the scenes to form partnerships with new NGOs who align with our values in order to provide amazing experiences and create more positive change.
We have also begun more direct partnerships with multiple UK universities who are recognising the value of our programmes both to the projects on the ground and to their students! Webinars, advertisements and broadcasts have helped cement fantastic two way relationships with institutions all over Britain. Bring on the rest of the world!
Volunteer Experiences
We would love to sit and gush about every volunteer we have had this year, but we can’t keep you all day – so read on for some honourable mentions!
Shani, Marnie, Romy and Kiran
These four joined us in Ghana – Romy for a Social Work placement, while Kiran, Marnie and Shani completed a psychology and mental health placement.
Sometimes, groups just gel – and these four ‘were like sisters’ in no time. They smashed their work; got on so well with the children; got stuck in at the hospital and won the coordinator team over completely. They were involved with complex cases and were able to assist in major breakthroughs. The team at the Vocational Impact office loved hearing from them about how they got on and what they got up to, and seeing all of their fantastic pictures. We know there weren’t many dry eyes in Ghana when they left!
Amazing work guys!
Bruno
Bruno joined us as part of a Business and NGO management programme in India. He brought his expertise to our children’s foundation there to share knowledge and experience and learn a few things himself. His time with us went by in a flash, and the team were incredibly sad to see him go. Although his work was largely ‘back office’ focussed, he made a real impression on the children, as they did on him. He has continued to fundraise and advocate for the organisation since returning home.
Thank you Bruno!
Valerie, Nnenna and Hana
Valerie, Nnenna and Hana joined us in South Africa for a Law and Human Rights programme. Again, another fantastic group that knocked it out of the park. At the community organisation, they were so touched by the families they also rolled up their sleeves and got fundraising to provide enrichment opportunities for the children and help towards their care. Day to day, they were able to contribute to casework and client submissions that directly affected people’s lives.
“Knowing that the work I did helped clients secure documents or strengthen their asylum cases gave me a real sense that I was supporting the team and the wider mission.” says Valerie.
Thank you for everything guys!
Project Updates
Ghana – Volunteers who join us in our placements on the south coast of Ghana will know about the children’s foundation we work with, which provide holistic care to children who are no longer living with their families. They are provided with nutrition, medication, enrichment, and an education – via the school on site. Well, the school has now received enough funding to build 4 new classrooms! The school provides for the children at the home and increasingly for local children living nearby – so these extra classrooms mean that more children can have access to an education and a brighter future!
India – Remember the extra floor being built at the children’s home in India? It is now complete, and the children have moved in! This means that the foundation has the space to take on more children affected by HIV, and secure a bright, sustainable future for them.
South Africa – Our South Africa programmes have expanded at such a rate that these are among the first we are looking to expand! Our partners love having volunteers and are so grateful for what they bring; and the fact that they enable them to continue their vital work.
And Now, We Need You!
After another fantastic year, we are able to rest assured that – together – we have made a real, positive difference. In order to continue this amazing trajectory, we need volunteers with knowledge and skills like yours to join us on one of our programmes.
Why not join us, and make 2026 a year to remember.
