My Amaze journey: Volunteer to Intern

For Volunteers’ Week, we want to thank all our brilliant volunteers and inspire others with their stories. This time we hear from Angelina, who is currently interning in our fundraising and marketing team. Many of our volunteers come to us through a connection to Amaze, so it’s interesting to get a different perspective and to see how sometimes giving up your time for free, can lead you on a path to bigger opportunities…

Angelina’s story

How I got started 

“I began my Amaze journey in October 2024 when I was researching jobs on the University of Sussex careers page. I came across the Amaze page and read about the incredible work they do in the community and their goals for the future. During my Business and Management (BA) degree I was drawn to the non-profit sector, so seeing the opportunity to work with a local charity, making change in the community, stood out and felt like the right fit.

The application process to volunteer was pretty straightforward. I had a Zoom interview with the Head of Fundraising and Marketing and we had a chat not just so they could find out about me, but so I could also learn more about what they do and what the voluntary role might involve.”

What I did as a volunteer

“I started volunteering with Amaze in November and my experience as a volunteer was rewarding for so many reasons. As a student with a busy schedule, the flexibility of the hours was great- as it could give me the experience whilst fitting around my studies. I got to come into the office and work with the team, who were all supportive. They encouraged creativity, I got to work on social media posts, conduct interviews for blogs and I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in events such as helping at the Christmas fair and attending the PaCC Awards (Parent Carers’ Council for Brighton & Hove) as a photographer. I found the PaCC Awards particularly inspiring as I got to see first-hand the recognition given to local heroes who had made a significant impact on the lives of local families with children with additional needs.

In April 2025, I got the opportunity to take on the Brighton 10K run to raise money for Amaze. It wasn’t just a great way to be more involved but also to push myself in ways I hadn’t done before. I enjoyed the experience so much I’ve signed up to a half-marathon in December!”

The positive experience of volunteering

“I had such a positive experience volunteering, so when I found out about their summer fundraising and marketing internship scheme I decided to go for it.

Being interviewed by the team I had volunteered with made the process a bit more comfortable, although I knew there were a lot of applicants for the role, so I was pleased to be at the interview stage. I was able to give insights on the skills I had gained from my volunteering experience, that made me confident that I would thrive in a bigger role within the company.

I soon received the good news that I had been offered the role of Fundraising and Marketing Intern for June and July. In this new role I’m thrilled to continue to support Amaze and build my experience in the non-profit sector.”

Why I’d encourage others to volunteer 

“I’d encourage anyone considering volunteering to get involved because it’s not just about giving but growing. As a volunteer I felt like I was a part of the organisation that was making a difference for families who really needed support.  The experience gave me real insight into the challenges disabled young people face and how the right kind of support can empower them. It also helped me build confidence and skills, which led to my internship.“

How you can volunteer at Amaze 

Amaze rely on the support, expertise, and enthusiasm of volunteers to help run Amaze and to provide the best support to families. 

There are lots of different ways you can volunteer your time to support Amaze. Click here to find out more about volunteering with Amaze.