Unique opportunities to make a real difference

Sue Davidson from London, has been a steady force of support at Cranfield Trust for the past 13 years. During that time, Sue has completed an astonishing 30 volunteer projects, offering her wealth of experience to small charities working on the frontline of social impact across the UK. Sue shares her experience of volunteering with Cranfield Trust and what she has also learnt along the way. 

After decades of working full time in the telecommunications industry and other volunteering roles, Sue then discovered Cranfield Trust’s range of volunteering opportunities where she could utilise her skills to support small charities across the UK.
As a Cranfield Trust volunteer, Sue has supported charities working across all areas of society, from helping immigrant communities settle into their new lives in the UK, to supporting young people achieve success through education and employment. Although the causes vary, each works to improve lives and strengthen communities.
The range of projects Sue has taken on is as diverse as the charities themselves, with each one presenting a unique challenge and opportunity to make a real difference.

“I’ve supported charities that had outgrown their way of working, and others that were struggling to find their feet,” Sue explains. “Some needed help developing a clear strategic plan for the next three to five years. Others needed to rebuild relationships with partners or improve the way their teams operated. Every project is different and shaped by the charity’s needs, the skills of their people, and where they are on their journey.”

But it isn’t just the charities that gain something. For Sue, every single project she has worked on has become a two-way exchange. “You work with different personalities, different leadership styles and views, and face different issues. Each time, your knowledge grows as well as the charity’s. Volunteering isn’t just about giving – it’s about growing and evolving too.”

In her volunteer role, Sue has effectively learnt to consider the perspectives of the charity leaders she’s supporting and seeing a project through their eyes. “Volunteering has taught me to truly understand different people’s perspectives on the problems they’re facing. It’s not about coming in with all the answers – it’s about listening, meeting people where they are, and helping them unlock new ways of thinking.”

Sue shares the rewards she gets from volunteering, “From a personal perspective, volunteering gives you a continued sense of purpose. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the charity you’re supporting grow and succeed. You’re taking the skills and knowledge you’ve spent a lifetime building - in my case 43 years - and using it to give something back. Otherwise, what was the point of learning all that, if not to help others?”

Sue believes that volunteering brings a tremendous amount of personal growth and broader perspective, particularly when it comes to people skills. “It constantly develops your interpersonal skills,” she explains. “You’re working with different teams, personalities, and challenges, and that keeps you learning no matter how much experience you already have.”

We’re incredibly grateful to Sue for volunteering with Cranfield Trust and behalf of all of the charities and their beneficiaries, we’d like to say a huge thank you. And, we’re thrilled that the Sue enjoys and values the experience she gets from volunteering with the Trust too. 

“Over the years, I’ve looked inside a lot of businesses and seen how they run — the good, the bad, and everything in between. Cranfield Trust stands out, not just for its incredible ethos and values, but for its people. The staff are exceptional, they are highly knowledgeable, well-informed, and genuinely approachable. You always feel supported, so if you’re thinking about giving your time somewhere, Cranfield Trust is the place to do it. You’re not just making a difference to small charities doing vital work, you’re also becoming part of a truly brilliant organisation that goes above and beyond. It’s a joy to be part of.”