Volunteering with Milllion Minutes - Katerina's Story

Volunteering with Million Minutes has been an incredibly inspiring journey and I feel truly privileged to have experienced it. From the very first day, I was welcomed into a passionate and dedicated team, where I felt safe and valued despite stepping into an environment I knew little about, especially as am not a Catholic. The warmth, kindness, and support I received made it easy for me to grow both personally and professionally.

Joining Million Minutes came at a perfect time for me. After raising my family and completing my studies, I was eager to gain new skills and “fill the gap” in my CV. I was offered the opportunity – along with the freedom to explore creative ideas without fear of failure. Rather than feeling pressure to get everything right, I was empowered to experiment, innovate, and learn from experience. This trust allowed me to develop confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of effective communication.

I found myself immersed in a completely new world – one that combined the Catholic community's values with powerful social action. To understand this environment, I engaged deeply with the charity's mission, learning about its work, partnering organisations, and its various audiences. I delved into critical social issues such as racial justice, child poverty; I summarised important reports such as ‘The Cross of the Moment’ from the Boundary Breaking Project, and the final report of the Synod on Synodality, so we could accurately align our communication efforts with the charity's mission. Although the content was complex, each insight gained brought me closer to understanding the meaningful impact we could create and that by listening to diverse experiences and learning from them we could nurture healthier, more inclusive communities.

One of the most enriching aspects of my journey has been meeting inspiring women who are committed to driving positive change in society by creating safe spaces for young people, ensuring their voices are heard, valued and included. Working with Million Minutes has also reminded me that we all have unique gifts to share and important roles to play. Each step we take - no matter how small - can create ripples of meaningful change. By fostering trust, support, and respect, we can build stronger communities for the common good.

A particularly memorable experience was the work on our SiLent campaign, which invited people to spend time in silence, reflecting on the community's needs and how they could help addressing those needs. This year, we introduced an additional element- "Act Loud" - an inspiring call to turn those reflections into purposeful action. Inspired by this powerful message, I reached out to my local Catholic school and offered to help organise a litter-picking campaign in the area around the school. The event is scheduled for May, after Lent, once the school confirms the date with a partnering organisation. This act felt like a meaningful way to support the school community but also to set an example for my child, demonstrating the power of collective effort and the importance of caring for our environment.

Looking ahead, I intend to continue my involvement with the school community to ensure this positive change endures, keeping the area clean and safe for children.

If you're looking for an opportunity to make a difference, I encourage you to volunteer with Million Minutes. Whether you're seeking new experiences, hoping to give back to your community, or simply want to connect with inspiring people, you'll find a warm and welcoming environment where your contributions are valued. By stepping forward, you can play a vital role in creating lasting change - one small act at a time.

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If you want to get involved with volunteering at Million Minutes, contact us here.

Welcome to Katerina - Our Communications Volunteer

We sat down with Katerina, our communications volunteer, to talk about what inspires her and her favourite Christmas traditions.

Q. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thirteen years ago, I came to this country driven by curiosity and a desire to explore. Now, I’m a proud mum to a young daughter who attends a Catholic school, where she’s learning the values of compassion, community, and dignity—values that resonate deeply with me. 

After spending six years raising my family and pursuing further education, I felt it was time to focus on my own personal and professional growth. That’s why I took the chance to volunteer with Million Minutes, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. 

Q. Why did you decide to volunteer with Million Minutes?

I decided to volunteer with Million Minutes, because I wanted to be part of something meaningful. I believe we are raising a generation of smart, alert, and inquisitive children who have a voice and a vision for the world they live in. These young people are deeply aware of the importance of fellowship, justice and mutual respect, and we must ensure that their voices are heard. By providing them with the necessary resources and support, we empower them to make positive, lasting changes in the world. While I am not a Catholic myself, I’ve seen the positive impact faith and community support can have on young people which is why I was driven to get involved with its mission and help engage more parents and families in supporting the cause.

Q. What have you enjoyed about volunteering with Million Minutes

What I’ve enjoyed most about volunteering with Million Minutes is the variety of exciting and meaningful projects. Whether it’s writing a press release for the launch of Adventurous Accompaniment, summarizing impactful reports like the Synod on Synodality document or the Boundary Breaking project, or drafting content for social media and newsletters, each task has felt purposeful. 

One of my favourite moments has been our team brainstorming meetings. There’s something so energizing about working together to find solutions or spark new ideas. Everyone contributes, building on each other’s thoughts—it feels like solving a puzzle as a team (and I love puzzles). Those moments of collaboration remind me of the power of shared creativity and how much we can achieve when we work together. 

Q. What’s the most frequently used app on your phone?

Hmmm, apart from Yahoo mailbox and What’s App, I think it’s Ebay as I am always buying something for my daughter.

Q. If you could meet anyone (famous or not) from the past/present, who would it be and why?

If I could meet anyone, it would be Mother Teresa. She is an incredible inspiration for compassion and humanity, embodying selflessness and a deep commitment to serving others. Her dedication to helping the most vulnerable in society is a powerful reminder of what it means to live a life of purpose and love. I would love to hear about her experiences firsthand and learn from her wisdom about finding strength in faith and kindness in even the smallest acts.

Q. With the festive season being upon us, do you have any traditions that you look forward to at this time of year?

I absolutely do. My mum is visiting us from Bulgaria for Christmas, and I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with her. My favourite moment of the festive season is Christmas Eve when the whole family gathers to share a traditional vegan meal. It’s a special tradition where we prepare a specific number of dishes- 7 for the days of the week, 9 for the months of pregnancy or 12 for the months in the year. We also bake a special soda bread with a coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the coin is believed to be blessed with health and prosperity for the coming year. It’s such a meaningful tradition filled with love and gratitude, and I cherish these moments of togetherness. 

Q. What would you say to anyone who might be thinking about volunteering?

This experience has been both inspiring and transformative, showing me, how you can contribute to something bigger, while growing personally and professionally. It’s a sharing of knowledge, skills and perspectives that creates a feeling of unity and mutual support. I’ve also seen how effective communication can inspire action and make a real impact.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Million Minutes, get in touch by completing the ‘Contact Us’ form on our website and be part of something meaningful! Let’s build a community that strives to put the voices of young people at the heart of positive change.