‘It reminded me why I chose this career’: Nilaya’s take on volunteering at Women’s Voices

For many people working in media and marketing, success is often measured in campaigns launched, audiences reached, or awards won. But sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from using those same skills in a completely different context. 

At Media Trust’s annual flagship volunteering event, Women’s Voices, one marketing professional discovered just how powerful that can be. 

Women’s Voices 2026 brought together ten charities challenging violence against women girls with over 80 volunteers from across the media and creative industries. Through collaboration, creative thinking and shared expertise, the volunteers helped the charities strategise the launch of each charity’s new short film, made by Media Trust Films. 

For Senior Performance Executive Nilaya, the experience was a powerful reminder of why she chose her career in the first place. 

Bringing marketing skills to a real-world challenge

Nilaya volunteered for Women’s Voices 2026 and joined a team supporting SAY Women, a charity that works with young women who have experienced homelessness, trauma and abuse.

Together, the group explored the charity’s communications challenge, unpacking how storytelling, campaigns and digital channels could help reach new audiences and strengthen the charity’s impact.  

The power of collaboration

One of the things that makes Women’s Voices special is the energy created when charities and industry professionals come together with a shared purpose. 

Throughout the day, ideas flowed across the room as volunteers and charity teams worked side-by-side, combining sector expertise, creative thinking, and practical communications experience. 

For Nilaya, the atmosphere was unique. 

“A room full of people who genuinely cared about the world and about changing it for the better. I met some of the kindest, smartest and coolest people in the industry. The energy in the room was incredible.” 

Moments like this highlight something we’re proud to see at Media Trust time and time again. When the media industry shares professional skills with charities, every day skills can open up new possibilities. 

Turning concern into action

In a world where many people feel overwhelmed by the scale of global challenges, volunteering can offer a way to turn concern into something practical and meaningful. 

A way to make a genuine difference 

The experience left Nilaya and her fellow volunteers with a reminder that you don’t need to change careers or start something new to create meaningful impact outside of your day-to-day work. 

Sometimes, the skills you already have are exactly what a charity needs.

“If something I do helps even one girl or young woman find a safe space, feel supported, or change the course of her life for the better, that would mean everything.” 

Want to volunteer your skills like Nilaya?

Through the Media Trust Volunteer Platform, media and creative professionals can connect with charities across the UK and support them with communications, marketing, digital, and storytelling expertise. 

Whether it’s helping develop a campaign, mentoring a charity staff member, or supporting an event like Women’s Voices, your skills can help charities reach more people and create greater impact.

You can also sign up to our Connect newsletter, keeping all media and creative professionals up to date with upcoming volunteering opportunities and events. Or talk with Louise, our Head of Industry Engagement & Events, about how your organisation can partner and volunteer with Media Trust.