May 20, 2026

Volunteer Stories

Read time:

3min

Why I Volunteer in Aberdeen: Instant Neighbour

Volunteers are at the heart of Instant Neighbour - from helping in the food bank, sorting donations or being part of the admin team, each one is vital in supporting the charity’s operations. As part of our Why I Volunteer in Aberdeen series, we spoke to Ken and Kimberley to hear about their inspirations behind volunteering, their experience within the organisation and the value they find in giving back their time.

In Aberdeen, community organisations play a vital role in supporting those who need it mostI. Among them, Instant Neighbour has become a lifeline for many – providing food support, household goods and essential services to vulnerable people across the city.

As a local charity, Instant Neighbour relies heavily on the dedication of its team of volunteers. From sorting donations and preparing food parcels, to answering phone calls and organising deliveries, volunteers are at the heart of everything the organisation does. Without their time and commitment, many of these services simply wouldn’t be possible.

Speaking with two of their volunteers, Ken and Kimberley share what brought them to Instant Neighbour, what they do day-to-day and the difference volunteering has made in their lives.

Get involved: Volunteer in Aberdeen!

There are hundreds of different ways you can give your time as a volunteer in Aberdeen! The great thing about volunteering is that it is so inclusive, no matter your experience, time you have to give or age, there is a volunteer opportunity to suit you and an organisation in Aberdeen that would really value your contribution.

Have a look below at some of our recently added opportunities and discover how you can make a big difference in your local community!

Ken

Ken has been volunteering at Instant Neighbour’s food bank for around 18 months, where he describes his role as varied and hands-on.

“One minute you can be handling deliveries and donations, the next you’re stocking shelves or putting together food parcels,” he explains.

After taking voluntary redundancy in 2020 and experiencing some health issues, Ken found himself feeling increasingly isolated. Volunteering became the perfect opportunity to connect with people again.

Since joining, Ken describes his experience as incredibly positive: “It’s the people that make Instant Neighbour. The staff and volunteers are a lovely bunch.”

For Ken, volunteering has also helped improve his mental wellbeing, as he says:

“My mental health had deteriorated a wee bit and I just needed to get back out into the world again. Volunteering has really helped with this – it’s been a hugely positive experience for me personally.”

Highlighting the wider importance, Ken concludes by saying: “Charities rely heavily on volunteers so it’s nice to know that you’re giving something back. My time here so far has been great and I hope to continue volunteering.”

Kimberley

Kimberley volunteers a couple of afternoons each week as an admin volunteer, supporting the organisation behind the scenes.

“I mainly answer the phones – booking deliveries, arranging donation pick-ups and dealing with any general queries,” she says.

After taking a career break to raise her son, Kimberley started thinking about returning to work but found the idea quite daunting.

“Being a stay-at-home mum for almost five years, you lose a bit of confidence in the real world. You forget what a work environment is like,” she explains.

“Volunteering was the confidence boost that I needed and reminded me what I am capable of.”

Kimberley also found the role eye-opening in terms of the charity’s impact: “I didn’t realise how much Instant Neighbour does locally. It’s really good being a part of something meaningful and giving back my time through volunteering.”

She describes her experience as both fulfilling and rewarding, encouraging others to give it a go too: “I’m so glad that I came to volunteer at Instant Neighbour. It’s a really good stepping stone back into work, has helped me rediscover skills and reminded me what I can achieve – I’d recommend it to anyone.”

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