Celebrating the people behind the mission this Volunteers' Week

At The Eddystone Trust, volunteers are central to how we deliver our work and connect with communities across the South West.

From shaping strategy in the boardroom to supporting fundraising and advocacy in the community, their contribution brings lived experience, professional expertise and a shared commitment to improving sexual wellbeing for all.

As part of Volunteers' Week, we spoke to three of our trustees - Mike Attwood, Dan Smale and Edward Drew - about what motivated them to get involved, what they’ve learned through their time with the Trust, and why they believe volunteering continues to matter now more than ever.

Mike Attwood: “Go for a cause that makes your heart sing.”

Mike’s connection to HIV support work stretches back to the 1990s, when he volunteered as a buddy supporting gay men living with HIV. That experience stayed with him, and when he later saw an opportunity to join The Eddystone Trust as a trustee, it felt like a continuation of something deeply meaningful.

For Mike, the motivation to get involved also came from a desire to stay active and connected, particularly as he reflects on visibility and ageing within the LGBTQ+ community.

“People often think HIV is over. Maybe the medical treatment is good now, but stigma, loneliness and exclusion are still here and getting worse.”

“You kind of become a bit invisible as an older gay man, so I thought it was better to get involved rather than moan from the sidelines.”

One moment that has stayed with him highlights the very real impact of the Trust’s work - hearing how support had made a difference to a young woman facing homelessness, domestic violence and sexual abuse.

“Knowing that we can make a difference to people’s lives however tough things are.”

Alongside the challenges, Mike also reflects on the positive sense of shared purpose that comes from volunteering in a team of people with different skills and perspectives.

“I love feeling part of a community of activists and that by putting all our different skills together, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

His message to anyone considering volunteering is simple but powerful:

“Go for a cause that makes your heart sing.”

Edward Drew: “You just have to take the leap first.”

Ed’s introduction to The Eddystone Trust came through social media, where he was immediately drawn to the organisation’s work challenging stigma and improving sexual wellbeing across the region.

His personal experiences growing up in the Middle East also shaped his understanding of why that work matters.

“Growing up in the Middle East and coming out as a young queer person there really showed me the importance of fighting stigma.”

For Ed, volunteering as a trustee has also provided valuable professional development, particularly in understanding how charities operate at a strategic level.

“Especially early in my career, I would struggle to find the same level of exposure to organisational finance and strategy development if not for being a young trustee.”

Over time, Ed has seen his confidence grow as a result of his involvement, alongside a deeper commitment to the organisation’s mission.

“I feel more confident as a leader, I know how to support and challenge people effectively, and I’m more committed than ever to the organisation.”

Dan Smale: “The work we do here matters in a very immediate and human way.”

Dan first became aware of The Eddystone Trust through his local connection to Plymouth, but it wasn’t until later - when he felt he had the right skills and capacity - that he decided to take the step into volunteering as a trustee.

For him, volunteering provides something that sits alongside his professional life, but offers a very different kind of fulfilment.

“It gives me the opportunity to help people who fall outside of the clinical system, people who often have nowhere else to turn.”

He describes this work as grounding — a reminder of the direct, human impact behind the systems and structures of the charity sector.

One experience that has stayed with him came during a fundraising activity in Plymouth city centre, where he was struck by the contrast in public attitudes.

“You see the full picture. On one side, people willing to stop, listen and be a force for change. On the other, attitudes that reflect exactly the kind of stigma some of our service users face every single day.”

Rather than discouraging him, the experience reinforced his sense of purpose and the importance of what the Trust is trying to achieve.

“It reminded me why this work is so necessary, and why it cannot be left to chance.”

Dan is also keen to challenge common misunderstandings about both trusteeship and the people the organisation supports. He highlights that trusteeship is an active, responsible role that requires time, thought and genuine engagement — not a passive one.  For anyone considering volunteering, his advice is direct:

“Do it. You do not need to have everything figured out before you start. What you do need is a genuine willingness to show up.”

Interested in volunteering with The Eddystone Trust?

Volunteering takes many forms — from governance and strategy through to community engagement and fundraising — but all of it plays a part in helping us improve sexual wellbeing and challenge stigma across the South West.

Whether you have lived experience, professional skills, or simply a passion for making a difference, there are many ways to get involved and contribute.

If you’d like to become a trustee with The Eddystone Trust, we’d love to hear from you. Fill in this form today and we'll be in touch.