Meet our Volunteer Editors
Our dedicated team of Volunteer Editors play a crucial role behind the scenes at Lendwithcare. Each month, hundreds of loan profiles are prepared for publication on our website, and it is the responsibility of these volunteers to meticulously edit each one. Meet some of our Volunteer Editors below!
Caroline Forcer
I've always enjoyed volunteering and feeling part of a team. I volunteered for a homeless charity for 20 years, washing up at a weekly meal drop-in and when I moved house, I was keen to find another fulfilling opportunity. I've always used writing in my professional life, and have supported Lendwithcare ever since I discovered CARE International 10 years ago - when I saw the Volunteer Editor role advertised, it felt like the perfect opportunity.
I really enjoy knowing that I'm helping the entrepreneurs funded through Lendwithcare in a small way, to fulfil their ambitions by supporting their loan application. The majority of people want to support their families by making their businesses a success, and so there's a really long term impact to the work that we do as a volunteer team. That's a very rewarding feeling.
Tim Reid
I first became aware of Lendwithcare when I attended a workplace presentation, and it really resonated with me. I have always had an interest in the world beyond these shores, whether that be through travel, music, film, food or current affairs and the opportunity to do something for people in low-income countries really caught my attention. But it was the opportunity to change lives and help inspiring people who were really trying to carve out a better life for themselves, against the odds, that really struck a chord. It’s wonderful to see what a difference even a small amount of money can make to people’s lives and to hear great stories of how Lendwithcare has made a real difference.
The whole Lendwithcare experience has been a truly rewarding one for me, from being a donor, to setting up a lending group in my workplace and, more recently, becoming a volunteer editor. It has enabled me to meet and work with some like-minded and inspiring people who come together to do great things for others in less fortunate circumstances. It has a communal ‘family’ feel where everyone is working towards a collective goal and, while it’s clearly serious business, it’s both rewarding and fun at the same time. Breaking away from the cut and thrust of the daily grind and taking time out for a brief glimpse into the lives of individuals in low-income countries and do something that makes a real difference for those people is uplifting, and it’s also really good for the soul!
Kevin Cusack
As a Lendwithcare supporter, I received an email saying you were looking for remote volunteer editors. I became a lender via one of your TV adverts featuring Joanna Lumley. With my understanding of International Development and funding – it just seems like a simple way where £15 can make a real impact through empowering people living in challenging circumstances.
I use my spare time constructively in an arena that I am familiar with. It uses my writing and editing skills; I particularly love editing other people's documents. And I love writing sales pitches and marketing communications, which the loan profiles are. I've learnt a lot about things I knew nothing. For example, many traditional artisan crafts, sea fishing, and pig and buffalo farming. So that’s expanded my knowledge base - I've had to Google so many things including the Vietnamese celebration of Tet!
Paul Yarnell
I started supporting Lendwithcare over seven years ago because I thought that this was a good way to support those who were not just looking for a hand-out but rather were looking for a 'hand-up'... someone who would stand alongside and support them as they worked themselves towards a better future. It's also good to know that the loans have all been pre-assessed by those "on the ground" who are in a good position to validate them before they are published. When a role of Volunteer Editor became available back in 2019 this just seemed like another way in which I could be indirectly giving that 'hand-up' - But this time a non-financial way of supporting those in need by getting alongside those in the office who were helping these entrepreneurs.
I feel that I have gained a massive amount from being a Volunteer Editor - when doing the edits I always look carefully at the photos of the entrepreneurs that they have provided - not so much at the individuals but more at the background, seeking to understand their environment along with their work or home situation and this enables me to empathise with their situation as well as understanding their needs. It broadens my awareness of needs in different parts of the world - not just at the macro level that we are given in news reports or in social information but rather on an 'individual to individual' basis. It has repeatedly taught me the resilience of the human nature - about how people who want to improve their situation for the benefit of their family and children can always seek a way ahead whether it be to learn new skills, extend the diversity of work or just take small opportunities as they arise. I am constantly humbled by how these entrepreneurs with so little can have such a firm commitment and dedication to their work for the benefit of their families and their future.
Judy Murray
I have been a volunteer over the past 5 years. For several years before that I had been a lender, having read an article about Lendwithcare in a national newspaper. I encouraged my family to lend too. The reason why I became a volunteer is because I have always enjoyed learning languages so that I could speak to more people especially on my travels, and while working part time as a doctor preparing for retirement, I studied translation in Spanish and German at University. After getting my degree, I looked for volunteer translation work, and knowing that some of the loans are for Ecuador and Nicaragua, I thought that I may be able to help with Spanish translations. So I approached Lendwithcare, and when my application was accepted, I joined the team.
I enjoy translating and turning the original text into writing that serves the required purpose. For me, it is like doing a puzzle, and South American Spanish can be quite challenging when finding the appropriate word in English as some of the terms are different to European Spanish. Also, I enjoy searching online for websites that are relevant to the businesses of the entrepreneurs to find the right word. This helps me to learn more about their culture to back up my writing. Finally, I find it satisfying to know that I am helping people to improve their and their family's lives.
Jon Cox
I’ve been a lender with Lendwithcare for a few years now and love the work the organisation is doing, empowering others, so when the opportunity came up to offer some voluntary help, I was keen to become involved in order to give a little back and gain a greater understanding of how microfinance works.
The editing work I do is very much within my skillset and experience and it's easy to fit it in among my other work and activities. What I've particularly loved is gaining a greater familiarity with the range of incredible people all around the world who work so hard to develop enterprises to improve their lives and those of their families and communities. They are truly inspiring.
Linda Daunter
I’d been looking for a volunteer job with flexible hours that I could do from home, so when I saw Lendwithcare was looking for volunteer editors it seemed an ideal opportunity. It was already one of my favourite charities as I’d been a lender for 11 years and knew how it worked. It’s a simple but effective way of helping people to help themselves.
I’m enjoying learning so much more about the people who apply for loans and the countries they live in. The information we receive from our local micro-finance partners often contains foreign terms that I have to research before I can explain them in English. It really is a case of learning something new every day! I also feel that it’s made me more aware of the problems facing our entrepreneurs and how determined they are to succeed.
Caitlin Hall
Having previously done some fundraising for Lendwithcare with my school charity group, I saw the positive impact Lendwithcare had and wanted to be able to carry on making a difference as I went to university.
Working with Lendwithcare has been a great experience as it has allowed me to volunteer flexibly and on my own time while at university. I've gained new skills and had the opportunity to develop previous skills such as translating some of the profiles from Spanish-speaking countries. Seeing the direct impact that Lendwithcare, and by extension the volunteering I'm doing, is having on individuals and communities around the world is amazing. It has inspired me for the future, helping consolidate my decision to move into the NGO sector in my future career
Janet Scott
Over the past few years, I have done three charity bike rides for Care and helped to raise money for this wonderful charity. At the moment, I don't feel able to help by fundraising and cycling, but I wanted to continue to support Lendwithcare's work.
Helping with profiles keeps me in touch with Lendwithcare and the work it does. Being retired, it makes me feel like I do something worthwhile that indirectly helps other people.
Looking to work or volunteer for Lendwithcare?
If you're interested in supporting Lendwithcare in other ways such as editing and translating entrepreneur profiles and providing administrative support in the office, why not volunteer for us?
CARE’s equal opportunity policy extends to volunteer posts, this ensures everyone gets equal access to volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in either working for or volunteering with CARE or Lendwithcare, you can view opportunities when they are available on the CARE website here.
We're proud to introduce a new way to support low-income families most at risk of climate change through Lendwithcare. Find out more about making a grant today.