Here at the National Paralympic Heritage Trust we're lucky to be supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, who help us to carry out our work across collections, events, digitisation and learning sessions. They are often the face of the NPHT at events, in schools, and in the community.

This year, the NPHT celebrates it's 10th anniversary and we've be looking back at some of our most memorable moments. But these ten years are as much about the volunteers who've helped us along the way, each of them a core part of the team and a key part of the journey.

We've been hearing about their experiences and the moments that stand out the most. In the second of our 'Volunteer Stories' series, here's what our volunteers had to say!

Helen (pictured centre)

My name is Helen and I've been volunteering with NPHT for about three years. 

I came to the charity in roundabout way. Having retired, I wanted to give something back to my community. Originally, I started as an Archives' Volunteer with Bucks Council. I learnt how to handle & list historical documents & artifacts. The material that I worked on related to the history of the Paralympics.

I had known that Buckinghamshire was the birthplace of the Paralympics but did not know that there was an extensive collection of material that has not been catalogued and was in danger of being lost to historians and the generations to come. I learnt that the Council was collaborating with the National Paralympic Heritage Trust to save this material.

Up to that point, I'd not heard of NPHT! However, I soon found out that NPHT offers a host of further volunteering opportunities. I decided to sign up as an Events Volunteer - I thought it would compliment the archive work and, indeed, it does.

NPHT has a wonderful programme of events for schools and youth groups. We volunteers take an active part in bringing history alive to young people: showing them around the museum & sports centre, role playing key events & giving them the opportunity to play some paralympic sports. I love having the chance to encourage interest in their local history and at the same time show why & how we can help everyone to feel accepted, valued and safe. 

I've learnt how these activities link to educational development programmes - like the School National Curriculum and the Cubs/Beavers/Scouts Disability Awareness Badge. 

I've also been part of the team taking the story of the Paralympics further afield e.g. The Annual Bucks County Show, the Olympic/Paralympic Swimming Trials at London Aquatics Centre and much more.

I've met some amazing people - former Paralympians with some fantastic tales of their sporting careers to young and up and coming athletes.

On top of that, I get to work with a great bunch of NPHT staff & other volunteers & have fun while we work. In mid June, at our monthly coffee get-together, we're all going to have a boccia and goal ball competition!

Volunteer X

Some of our volunteers prefer to remain anonymous, and care has been taken to ensure that images are of relevant projects but do not include a likeness of this volunteer.

I first participated and became interested in the National Paralympic Heritage Trust when it was suggested to me that I might be able to help with a current project they were doing called 'Digital Explorations'. It gave me the strength to keep going and the more I participated the more I learnt, but I was also happy to be able to help and if any of my skills were useful, I would use my voice to express ideas. Once the project was done I continued to volunteer as I liked the people I had met so far and I was learning more alongside my already existing skill set and I didn’t want to stop.

Unfortunately my mental health does get in the way sometimes but I was always welcomed back by all which made me feel welcomed and safe. The opportunities that I have been provided with by the NPHT have been wonderful to do, whether or not I have used skills that I have learnt from them, or the skills which I already had but was too scared to use for a career, Because of this, I have become loyal to the NPHT with a understanding of how important it is to exist and keep fuelling historical awareness as the Paralympics timeline  makes and holds so many wonderful moments for so many people. Currently, I'm hoping to be able to keep my current volunteering work going with the archive department where you can find me scanning photographic history or making it through photographing celebrations and events, but don't be fooled by me, I am not a 1 trick pony. So despite my lack of interest in sport, I'm still here volunteering and I'm grateful for what I have learnt and I look forward to learning more along my journey with the NPHT and hopefully one day our paths may cross as well. I'm looking forward to it already. 

Another big thanks to our volunteers for sharing, look out for more volunteer stories soon!

If you're interested in joining our volunteer team, then please visit https://www.paralympicheritage.org.uk/Pages/Category/volunteer for more information, or email Ben Banyard-Phelps, at [email protected] 

To read stories from our volunteers Graham and Steve, click here.