More Than Volunteers

Every Volunteers’ Week, we try to find the words to say thank you. But words never quite feel like enough.

What our volunteers do isn’t a side hustle, a box tick, or a line on a CV. It’s FIRST UK.

Without our volunteers, there would be no events, no mentoring, no technical expertise on the ground, no programme knowledge passed down through the years – and critically, no community.

You are not the “backbone” of what we do. You are what we do. Every robot built, every young person inspired, every moment of genuine connection – that’s you.

Emma, one of our volunteers, puts it perfectly:

“The joy of learning new things and sharing that with others is something I get so much from – and being able to see the next generation thrive and expand their horizons is something I’m truly honoured to be part of.”

We call our volunteers Game Changers – and that’s not just a title. It’s embodiment. The impact our volunteers have on young people is real, measurable, and lasting. When a young person solves a problem they didn’t think they could, or stands up to present their team’s thinking for the first time, or discovers that engineering might actually be for them – a Game Changer made that moment possible.

Game Changers don’t just show up. They shift what’s possible.

And here’s what makes this community extraordinary: what each of you brings individually is amplified ten times over collectively.

When I walked into this year’s championship what I witnessed was not an event. It was community that barely needed to communicate, yet was orchestrating one of the greatest shows in STEM in the UK. Almost without instruction, without effort – because the effort had become instinct.

One of our Game Changers, Craig Hamilton, when asked why he volunteers to be part of this, explained it better than I ever could:

“FIRST UK is not just preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists – but also teachers, lawyers, doctors, politicians, neuroscientists. These young people are breaking down social barriers and forming friendships across countries and borders. I just hope my small part means they go forward with kindness, compassion, and the strength to keep pushing forward.”

That’s why our volunteers are Game Changers. Not because of the hours they put in – but because of what those hours leave behind.

We’re not just another robotics programme in a crowded landscape anymore. We’re a community of talented, committed, passionate people driving tangible impact at scale. That community is built, driven, informed, and owned by our volunteers. Every single one of you.

And so, on behalf of the Trustees, the team, our young people, their schools and teachers, and every partner who believes in what we’re building – thank you. Thank you for your time, your expertise, your patience and your passion. Thank you for showing up, over and over again.

Emma speaks for so many of our Game Changers when she says:

“I hope young people look at me and see that a career in STEM is possible for them – and that they can go as far as they want to go.”

That’s exactly why we do this. That’s the impact. That’s the change.

You are building so much more than robots.

Become a Game Changer

Whether you’re an engineer, a mentor, an organiser, or simply someone who believes in what young people can achieve – there’s a place for you in the More Than Robots community.

Volunteer at events

Mentor a team