Meet the ordinary people doing the most extraordinary things at Lifeshare

In the early, still hours of a Sunday morning, when most of Manchester is asleep, there’s a flurry of quiet, purposeful energy behind a nondescript door in the city centre.

It smells like sizzling toast and fresh coffee.

The atmosphere is warm, despite the sharp edge of the morning air. And at the centre of it all are the people who bring it to life: the volunteers of Lifeshare.

For 41 years, Lifeshare, Manchester’s oldest charity supporting homeless and vulnerable people, has relied on the strength, generosity, and commitment of its volunteers.

Come rain, snow, or blazing sun, these volunteers show up, weekends, holidays, Christmas morning, offering more than hot meals and clean clothes. They offer dignity, connection, and a sense of belonging to people who are often unseen.

This National Volunteer Week, we shine a light on a few of the extraordinary individuals who form the backbone of this organisation, not just to celebrate their service, but to understand why they give so much of themselves.

Why do people volunteer?

People volunteer for many reasons. Some are drawn by a desire to make a difference in their communities; others are moved by personal experiences or a calling to help those who’ve been left behind. Volunteering can offer more than just good karma: it can provide purpose and growth.

It’s about giving, but it’s also about gaining. Confidence. Community. Perspective. Hope. And at Lifeshare, it’s also about witnessing acts of kindness and human connection in their purest form.

Meet the Lifeshare Volunteers

Kim Law, 67, Worsley

A director at a mental health organisation and chair of a local school board, Kim has spent her life in service.

For the past 10 years, she’s been at Lifeshare every Sunday morning, cooking breakfast for guests who might otherwise go hungry. Kim jokes that she volunteers for “selfish” reasons. But to those who rely on her, she’s essential.

Kim said: “We are very lucky in this country to be able to help others from our own abundant lives, but some don’t. It’s so fulfilling to wake up and go to Lifeshare every Sunday when I get to meet our guests and they share their stories with me. It’s a privilege. I’ve made lifelong friendships and had lots of laughs and joy in my voluntary life.”

In truth, Kim is the kind of volunteer who makes an organisation breathe, someone who blends compassion with commitment and brings light with every interaction.

Dale Unwin, 50,  Macclesfield

A children’s social worker and family court advisor by profession, Dale came to Lifeshare nearly three years ago with a simple motivation: to give back.

Dale said: “I volunteer because I feel I am lucky to have the life I have. It’s only right that I share my positivity with people who have fallen on difficult times and do whatever I can to support them.”

He doesn’t just talk the talk. This August, Dale is cycling 160 miles through the mountains of Switzerland with over 30,000 feet of climbing—all to raise money for Lifeshare. That’s not just dedication. That’s love in action.

Beth Royle, 29, Salford

After moving to Manchester, Beth was struck by the scale of homelessness in the city. As an accountant, her work is numbers. But at Lifeshare, she works with heart.

“After moving to Manchester, I was shocked by the big homeless problem in the city. I wanted to do something to help, but many people do, but don’t know where to start. I started at Lifeshare and I’ve stayed because it’s such a nice and friendly atmosphere.”

In her four years volunteering, Beth has become a regular face at weekend breakfasts. Her presence is quiet, empathetic, and transformative.

Whether running the Manchester Marathon to raise funds or simply sharing a conversation over toast, Beth builds bridges between the city’s homeless population and the community around them.

Volunteering for Lifeshare

What unites Kim, Dale, Beth, and the dozens of other volunteers at Lifeshare, is not just what they do, but who they are. They are listeners. They are advocates.

This Volunteer Week, as we applaud these everyday heroes, we also extend an invitation: Come see what’s possible when you show up. Come see what happens when you care.

You’ll be helping others, but you may find, like these three volunteers, that you gain even more in return.

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