To mark International Volunteer Day, we’re celebrating the incredible contribution of the volunteers that make our programmes possible. The enthusiasm, understanding and time that they dedicate are crucial for helping us to bring opportunities to life for young people who might otherwise face barriers to success.
We recently spoke with Richard Stephens-Knott, Deputy Centre Director at St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff. For the past two years, Richard has volunteered at schools across Cardiff as part of our Made In Challenge, delivered in partnership with Landsec.
This UK-wide programme gives young people first-hand insight into careers in retail and the built environment. Teams of Year 10 students are challenged to creatively imagine how vacant retail spaces could be transformed to benefit their communities. With support from volunteers like Richard, they develop creative concepts, business plans and brand identities.
After a series of workshops, teams pitch their ideas in regional heats, with the top schools competing in a national finale, presenting their concepts to Landsec’s senior team in its London HQ.
The challenge is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, all while showcasing the variety of roles available in the sector.
Volunteering, for me, is about giving young people the confidence to recognise their skills and helping them imagine how those skills could shape their future. But it’s also about challenging your own assumptions and staying open to what you can learn from them.
Richard Stevens-Knott, Deputy Centre Director at St David's shopping centre
For Richard, volunteering isn’t just about connecting with young people and inspiring them to think differently about their future. It’s also about taking the time to learn from them:
“Volunteering, for me, is about giving young people the confidence to recognise their skills and helping them imagine how those skills could shape their future. But it’s also about challenging your own assumptions and staying open to what you can learn from them.
“For example, I was amazed to see students using tools like AI to create 3D renders during the Made In Challenge. It showed me how much opportunity there is to share knowledge and learn from each other.”
He particularly enjoys showing students what goes on “behind the scenes” in the shopping centres like St David’s that they regularly visit. It reminds him of his own school experience, when an Insight into Industry Day from Tesco sparked his interest both in the retail sector and in the wider world of work.
“Giving them a glimpse of what really happens behind the scenes helps to make leadership roles in industries like retail feel real and accessible. I want to spark that ‘lightbulb moment’ for them by showing them career possibilities that they might have never otherwise considered, and connecting these opportunities to skills that they already have.”
There have been plenty of standout moments. From helping students at Cantonian High School rehearse for the national final in London, to pitching in with last-minute signage design and printing, Richard has thrown himself into his role as a volunteer.
“Watching the students pitch in London was amazing. For some of them, it was their first time visiting the city and they had a great time getting to grips with how to use the tube, staying over in a hotel, and seeing the sights.
“I was so proud when they were crowned the winners. I’d seen just how hard they worked on their pitch and presentations. After the final, myself and some of the Landsec team were invited to speak at a special prizegiving at the school, and we’ve since donated a trophy cabinet for them to display their Made In trophy, which has really cemented to me how valuable these long-term relationships can be.”
Richard believes that volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to give back to the community and inspire others:
“If you’re thinking about getting involved – seriously, do it. Whether it’s running a workshop or mentoring, the feeling of helping young people discover their potential is incredible. I’m excited to come back and do it all again next year!”
If you also want to inspire young people and make a difference, please get in touch to find out about current opportunities.