Why I volunteer for the Big Local - Callum Wills!

By Callum Wills

Callum Wills (above) receiving the Big Local Young Leadership Volunteer Community Award in November 2017 with Hounslow's Deputy Mayor Mukesh Malhotra.

This summer, we will be asking members from our dedicated Heston West Big Local team why they volunteer for us and what they get from volunteering! Today, we have Callum Wills. Callum is one of our first ever Big Local young volunteers, he started at 11 years old and has since been an instrumental and inspiring figure for the Heston West community.

Now 14 years old, his non-stop energy, passion for the community, charming and funny personality makes Callum, Callum! Recently he was involved with our T.I.E. project and played Tybalt in our Shakespeare's adaption of 'Romeo and Juliet' on the Redwood Estate (above left).
We are proud to have this young man involved with the Big Local and look forward to seeing him continue his youth leadership development with us.
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​A great inspiration and positive role model to other young people in our community. 
​Read his story below.

Why I volunteer

I like to talk and engage with people and volunteering for the Big Local allows me to get out of the house. I also enjoy making new friends, helping people in the community who needs things done, such as gardening and cleaning up. I am really helpful and I’ve been told I am really funny, however I can be serious and I can be a bit silly sometimes.

 Callum Wills (send from left) with the MADE in HESTON WEST crew and DL Maria Pedro

What have been my experiences

Callum leafleting our flyers in the community

I have volunteered for 3 and a half years and have done a range of fun and exciting activities with the Heston West Big Local, such as: Community Clean Up days, Queen’s Birthday (this was my first event I helped out with), Comic Relief, Cranford Fun Day, Traveller’s BBQ, Healthy Cooking, Walking Football, MADE in HESTON WEST film club, speaking in Parliament, Winter Wonderland and Summer Fetes at Berkeley Academy. I also helped paint a mural outside the Brabazon Community Centre. I have also attended Local Trust’s Film Festival last year and supported Taz and the team at community trips and workshops. ​

What do I get out of volunteering?

Callum involved with planning our summer youth campaign and helping out at the cooking club.

What you get out of volunteering is that you get to meet new people, have a laugh and work with different types of people from various cultures, backgrounds and ages. I have made so many friends in the local area and I feel more connected to everyone and happy to be involved with Heston West Big Local.  ​