Vodafone Foundation spotlights Top Volunteers of the Year

An estimated one billion people volunteer worldwide. Taking on many forms, volunteering is a highly effective way to deliver social, environmental, and economic transformation globally. This impact is felt keenly at Vodafone Foundation, where the dedication of Vodafone employee volunteers is fundamental to the success of many of our programmes.

In recognition of the pivotal role volunteers play in effecting meaningful change worldwide, Vodafone Foundation is honoured to spotlight five of our ‘Top Volunteers of the Year’ for 2025.

Through conversations with our spotlighted volunteers, the significant difference they make to individuals and communities becomes clear.

Khaled Mowafy

Joining the Instant Network team in 2012, Khaled was instrumental in conceptualising the innovative ‘school in a box’, a portable solution delivering quality education to refugees and host communities, regardless of location. A decade on, Khaled remains committed to volunteering for the Instant Network Schools programme. His ongoing contributions include assisting with the establishment of new schools, setting up the essential connectivity infrastructure, translating INS manuals from English to Arabic, and training teachers to effectively use the equipment.

Reflecting on his experiences, Khaled said, “the best reward is a small look of appreciation from a young student and when they say, ‘thank you for supporting my future.’” His work underscores the importance of education in enabling students to forge brighter futures for themselves.

Susan Keating

Susan volunteers for the Hi Digital programme, which is dedicated to enhancing digital skills among individuals over the age of 65.

At regular Friday drop-in sessions in Vodafone stores, Susan supports older people to use their devices, enabling them to stay connected with loved ones and access services that are increasingly online. She emphasises that the in-C2 General person Hi Digital workshops also play a vital role in alleviating loneliness within their customer base.

Reflecting on the impact of Hi Digital, Susan said, “I see the challenges that my mum has with the digital world. Every time I see her, she has more questions on how to do this or that. With technology constantly progressing, these problems are never going to go away, and older people are being left behind. Hi Digital is great because it tries to make sure this doesn’t happen.”

Sean Hodgson

A dedicated volunteer for the Instant Network Emergency Response (INER) programme, Sean contributes to the restoration of connectivity following natural or humanitarian disasters.

The invaluable efforts of Sean and the other INER volunteers enable individuals to reconnect with family, facilitate the coordination of aid agencies, and ensure the effective operation of emergency services after a disaster.

To date, Sean has deployed on two missions; to St Vincent and the Grenadines after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, and to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa in 2025.

Reflecting on the impact of volunteering, Sean describes its reciprocal nature. “Seeing the resilience of local people in how they are dealing with the situation they are in is really inspiring. Some of the most inspirational people we met on deployment were the drivers. They have all the local knowledge and become vital members of the team, empowering their own people.”

Arcangelo D’Elia

Bright Sky is our domestic abuse support app and website that provides practical support and advice to anyone worried about abuse. For Arcangelo, a Bright Sky volunteer, “volunteering offers benefits that are often intangible, yet they create a significant, positive impact on the lives of others, and therefore, every non-profit organisation should actively encourage this activity to facilitate hands-on engagement.”

Arcangelo also emphasised that volunteering has positive personal impact, reiterating that volunteering “helps you become more open minded, boosts your creativity and helps improve your credibility as a responsible citizen, steps that are essential to raising awareness and driving real change toward a more ethical society.”

Step for Schools – Volunteer Team of the Year

In line with Arcangelo’s assertions, research indicates that employee involvement in volunteering initiatives yields significant personal benefits. From enhanced job satisfaction to increased motivation and improved confidence to a greater sense of wellbeing.

Recalling her experience with the Step for Schools event, which raised over £100,000 for Instant Network Schools, Ley Smith highlighted how volunteering fostered stronger connections with colleagues and introduced her to new friends within Vodafone.

Vodafone Foundation would like to thank all the remarkable employee volunteers whose dedication, skills, and generosity are at the heart of our programmes. Their unwavering commitment is integral to Vodafone Foundation’s ongoing success and ensures positive, lasting impact for individuals and communities across the globe.