Change a life - it doesn't take a lot to do it, but it makes a world of difference

Welcome

Advice

Blog

The Directory

Tell us your story

Change someone's life

Transformation. Inspiration. Fulfilment.

I started changealife.co.uk as a way of helping fundraisers tell their story and charities advertise their organisation to a wider audience. However, as I've been walking the path of life, I've come to realise that this isn't right (as a stand alone objective) and so have changed the focus of this website.

Moving forward, changealife.co.uk is a personal blog. A blog aimed at inspiring. A blog that encourages you to make a difference. And a blog that shows with some time and effort we can all change someone's life for the better.

So you're probably wondering who is they 'I' behind these words? Good question. My name is Jeff Dawson and I live in Plymouth, Devon in the UK. I am 29-years-old and I'm currently studying a BA (Hons) degree in Youth Work with the Open University and I volunteer with many different schemes throughout the city, mainly through the connections I have built up with St Paul's Church in Stonehouse (my wife works there!). I am also self-employed as a writer, specialising in marketing copywriting for businesses. See 'TLF' for more on that.

My general 'volunteering' week looks a little like this:

Monday - write some words, do some study and then in the afternoon mentor two children through a reading scheme called 'Extra Time' which is designed and delivered by 'Faith and Football'.

Tuesday - write some words, eat some food, do some study.

Wednesday - Plan some talks, a little more study and then off to St George's C of E School in Stonehouse to help out at an after school club.

Thursday - Prepare for a manic evening! Study and write during the day, then off for an hour to supervise 6-11-year-olds as they play friendly games of football with 'Faith and Football'. It's then off to St Paul's Youth Club where I help lead the sessions, inspiring young people who feel isolated to grow and develop.

Friday - Rest.

Saturday - Rest.

Sunday - Help out at St Paul's Church - either setting up for the service or assisting with crèche. Then off home to study, write, eat and sleep.

I will be writing my blog on these sessions and hopefully inspiring people in Plymouth to try and drive this city forward by investing in the youth. We have a lot of talented young men and women in this city but we need to embrace them and develop them so that they feel that they are making a difference and that they matter. If we do that, the future really is bright.