My Experience as a Volunteer at UK Unplugged By Megan Drinkall
Before starting my third-year volunteer placement as a marketing and research assistant for UK Unplugged, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hoped to gain
Copyright © 2025 UK Unplugged CIC
Before starting my third-year volunteer placement as a marketing and research assistant for UK Unplugged, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hoped to gain industry experience, meet new people and create a lasting impact on the local community. Little did I know that this placement would be the most rewarding and beneficial experience of my university career.
I was initially attracted to UK Unplugged because of its community benefits, particularly for families with children on the CAMHS waiting list and children from a SEND community, ensuring that I was helping to make a real and lasting impact, while fulfilling a job role that I was truly passionate about. No two days were exactly the same, which helped me to grow in confidence in different situations. A typical day could include anything from designing games for the boxes, marketing the boxes or creating content at events.
My involvement with the design and production of a game dedicated to transport called “Race Across the Merseyside” put my creativity, problem-solving and communication skills to the test.
Seeing this board game in action at the Transport event was perhaps the most rewarding experience across my placement. Witnessing the positive impact that we had on children and their families made the experience truly worthwhile.
One of the biggest skills that I developed as part of this placement, was my confidence. I was initially apprehensive about sharing my ideas with professionals in a field that I was not familiar with, however, everyone was so welcoming and actively encouraged me to share any ideas that I had.
One idea that proved particularly successful was my “Bus Stop Bingo” game within the Transport Box, which I developed by adapting content to ensure accessibility for SEND children (visual stimulation/instruction clarity). Alongside this, I obtained experience in iterative design, bringing the game through several revisions with families, experts and artists.
Looking back, the marketing, research and game-design opportunities that I was provided with at UK Unplugged, has developed my understanding of how ideas are turned into products which hugely benefit the local community. From creating content and researching game ideas, to attending events and interacting with audiences, I have developed both practical skills and confidence in a professional environment which cannot be gained in a classroom alone. As I start to think about my future career, I realise how these experiences have boosted my interest in marketing through helping me to understand the value of audience demographics, creativity and group collaboration.
Thank you UK Unplugged for providing me with the skills needed to kick-start my future career.
UK Unplugged began in 2019 as a local community group dedicated to helping local parents and carers balance their family’s time on and off screens.
See Our StoryBefore starting my third-year volunteer placement as a marketing and research assistant for UK Unplugged, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hoped to gain
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We create opportunities for families to create, explore and unplug.
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Kadar volunteered as our Marketing Lead for UK Unplugged’s Environmental Chemistry Project sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry, while studying Business Management at the University of Liverpool, and he felt this experience led directly to his being hired after graduation as a Graduate Project Executive.
As the marketing lead on the UK Unplugged Chemistry Project, Kadar gained essential hands-on experience. This role not only helped him develop critical skills but also instilled the confidence needed to succeed in his new position.
When asked about the benefits of volunteering with UK Unplugged, Kadar pointed to the fact that the real-world experience and community involvement it offers are unparalleled, providing an excellent foundation for anyone looking to launch their career.
Reflecting on his 3-year journey studying Business Management at the University of Liverpool, Kadar explained one of the highlights of their university experience was working closely with Diana Powell, CEO of UK Unplugged to lead the marketing for an event that promoted environmental chemistry to future generations. This project allowed Kadar to apply his academic knowledge practically and engage more deeply with the Liverpool and Wirral communities.
“I highly recommend students volunteer with Unplugged. It’s a great way to gain real-world experience to help start your career”.
77 university student interns since 2020 and countless volunteers
A parent deeply committed to sustainability connected with us in April 2020 and has remained a part of the UK Unplugged community.
Pre-Involvement Perspectives on Sustainability:
Before our engagement with UK Unplugged, our family already had a strong connection with the environment and the principles of sustainability. We actively instilled in our children the importance of mindful consumption, using reusable and plastic-free products, cultivating our own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regular litter picking activities as a family.
Impact of UK Unplugged on Sustainability Education:
Being a civil engineer with an existing interest in sustainable practices, my involvement with UK Unplugged provided me with a unique opportunity to further explore and promote sustainability within my community. The activity boxes enabled me to engage with young people and introduce sustainability concepts in a playful and accessible manner. It’s crucial that sustainability becomes ingrained in the normal habits of the younger generation, rather than an afterthought.
Significance of Sustainably Sourced Boxes:
The fact that the UK Unplugged boxes are sustainably sourced holds significant importance for our family. While these boxes may come at a higher cost compared to alternatives, we find value in supporting local businesses and contributing to our community’s resilience against corporate giants. Knowing that our purchase supports local talent and family businesses brings a sense of fulfillment that transcends mere material acquisition. The conscious decision to shop small and locally resonates deeply with us, especially when it aligns with our environmental values.
Dedication to Environmental Responsibility:
UK Unplugged, under Diana’s leadership, exemplifies a commitment to environmental responsibility that extends beyond mere rhetoric. Diana’s dedication to fostering talent, creativity, and community engagement is commendable. Her choice to deliver boxes via bicycle underscores a genuine commitment to sustainability, contrasting with superficial carbon offsetting measures adopted by larger corporations. It’s this authentic dedication that sets UK Unplugged apart, making it a beacon of sustainability within our community.
Conclusion:
Our journey with UK Unplugged has not only deepened our understanding of sustainability but has also empowered us to actively contribute to our community’s environmental well-being. Through our engagement with UK Unplugged, we’ve not only found a platform for sustainability education but also a community-driven initiative that embodies the principles we hold dear. As parents, we’re grateful for the opportunity to instill these values in our children and contribute to a more sustainable future, one UK Unplugged box at a time.
80% of kids give us 5 out of 5 stars
In the realm of mental health, the struggle for timely intervention and support has long been a challenge. On average, a young person spends 40 weeks on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) waiting list.
In 2023, the Care Navigators who support the waiting list connected us with a young person. Their story shows the profound impact that UK Unplugged boxes can have on the lives of individuals dealing with mental health issues.
At the time, this young person was struggling to leave their house. They had lost interest in their usual hobbies and their school work. UK Unplugged hand-delivered a space-themed box, which includes activities ranging from educational materials to DIY projects. This allowed the young person to discover a new set of hobbies and interests they had never considered before, and this spark of passion set the stage for positive change.
Through engaging with the thoughtfully developed activities within the boxes, the young person rekindled their desire to go outside and see the stars, which began by learning about different constellations.
Going outside had such a positive effect on the young person, and led to more confident trips outside. Eventually, this experience led to the young person going to the library and wanting to learn more about this topic, meaning they were integrating back into society and regaining a sense of community.
This brought joy to not only this young person but their family and friends too. The case of this young person exemplifies the real-life impact of UK Unplugged boxes on mental health and well-being. By providing a tangible and engaging avenue for self-discovery and exploration, the boxes became catalysts for positive change.
434 boxes donated to the CAMHS waiting list
A young person was struggling with emotional regulation and mental health when themselves and a family member attended a UK Unplugged event.
This young person was very shy, and often could not go to activities outside of the house, such as school. They usually struggled with focus, often moving from one uncompleted task to another, which caused family frustration and financial strain, leaving films, and events early, in an attempt to keep them entertained.
Attending UK Unplugged’s event was revelatory for the young person and their family: they stayed for the entire 2 hours and were entertained throughout the entire event, including listening to inspiring talks from students, getting involved in the activities and games, and even claiming that, despite hating science at school, they would enjoy it if their teacher did lessons like UK Unplugged!
The young person took the games played at this event and showed the rest of his family how to play at home, providing fun for the entire family.
The parent of this child said, ‘in other settings, our children are noticed for what they are struggling with rather than what they’re interested in, […] I just wish more people would go out of their way to look for, encourage and grow these things in our amazing children’.
50% of families we interact with have a SEND member