From Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th June 2025, we’re proud to celebrate Volunteers’ Week - a time to recognise the incredible contributions of volunteers across the UK. At KMMS, many of our staff and students are active in their communities, giving their time, energy, and compassion to causes close to their hearts. Here are just a few of their inspiring stories.
Cathy Bernal, KMMS Senior Lecturer, supports Keep Talking Services (KTS), a telephone befriending service for individuals experiencing loneliness and poor mental health.
“I chair the Trustees at Keep Talking Services (KTS). My fellow board members and I are responsible for ensuring that the organisation’s resources are used to their maximum benefit. In the past year, KTS has received numerous awards and has grown enormously from its small origins, providing services to over 500 clients in the UK since its founding. We are currently looking for additional trustees. If you are interested, please contact alex@keeptalkingservices.com.”
Alex Levine, Faculty Director of Practice Learning, volunteers with British Divers Marine Life Rescue, a frontline charity responding to marine mammal emergencies.
“Most of my work in Kent is in providing first aid to sick or injured seals, however, we are all trained to assist sick or injured dolphins and whales, and the training day simulates refloating a 2.5-ton replica pilot whale. We spend a lot of time raising public awareness and educating children in schools as well as working with other organisations to protect and further knowledge of marine mammals around our coastlines and beyond.”
Philip Naylor, Student Support Coordinator, has previously worked as a Life Enrichment Coordinator for a care home, where his job was to entertain seniors during COVID lockdowns.
“I had a blast playing music bingo, word games, trivia, and crosswords. So now I visit an elderly man with a disability each week, and we chat and play games.”
Keziah Cawkwell, Curriculum and Assessment Officer, volunteers with The Salvation Army, leading a brass tuition group for children aged 4-18, and also helps run a monthly activity afternoon for local families, which includes a free meal.
“I really enjoy the way that I do with the kids and young people every week, seeing them grow in confidence and develop their skills.”
Sanjidah Islam, Student Support Officer, founded a not-for-profit organisation called Witness Support Dogs, alongside her golden retriever, Marley.
“Marley is training to be a Witness Support Dog, helping people in the community feel safe and supported. He’s doing a fantastic job already!”
Mary Langford, Marketing, Outreach and External Engagement Manager, volunteers with Food Friends, a Whitstable-based charity tackling food waste whilst bringing the community together.
“My family volunteers with a charity called Food Friends, which is based in Kent. Once a week, we deliver a hot meal to our ‘food friends’ who live locally. Every week, we have a chat on the doorstep as we deliver the food. It’s particularly important for some of the food friends that are isolated or can’t go out for various health reasons.”
To everyone in the KMMS community who gives their time to help others, thank you!