Volunteers’ Week 2026 – Bhuvnesh’s experience

This year for Volunteers’ Week we are highlighting the work of the Deputy Centre Manager at King’s Academy.

Volunteers do enormous work for charities by donating their time and effort!

Bhuvnesh Arya describes his journey with volunteering for Anthony Nolan, a nationwide blood cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through stem cell and bone marrow, raises awareness for cell therapy patients and funds research to provide a better chance of survival for patients.

He is one of the 25 million people in the UK who volunteer at least once in the year whose work is being spotlighted – here are his thoughts on #volunteering.

How long have you been volunteering?

I have been volunteering with them since February 2024. I began by taking part in park runs with the team to raise awareness about stem cell transplants and to fundraise for the charity.

What do you like about volunteering?

There are two things I value most. Firstly, I watched a relative struggle with blood cancer back in 2018, and it opened my eyes to how little awareness there is around these life-threatening conditions. When I moved to the UK, joining Anthony Nolan felt like a meaningful way to channel that experience into something positive. Secondly, the community, it gives me a purpose and connection with like-minded people.

Would you recommend it to others?

Absolutely. I would always encourage people to support a cause that’s close to their heart. When something genuinely matters to you, the motivation to show up and make a difference comes naturally.