Volunteering is alive and well and fuelled by what moves us, rather than necessarily our skills, says Tesse Akpeki.

Last week I met a young IT consultant. She works for Apple, but she told me that one of the highlights of her year was being a volunteer during the Olympics. She volunteers for a charity working to get young people into education and initially got involved when she was a student in university, continuing after graduation. As this young woman shared this story with me, I saw the enthusiasm in her eyes and the energy to do more. I couldn’t resist, I asked if she would become a trustee of that charity. She asked me to tell her more about what was involved and after some advice, she is now on its list as a potential trustee. 

What strikes me is that the cause that this woman chose to support was not particularly relevant to her day job, instead it was inspired by what was inside her heart. What matters is finding a cause that moves you and to which you can commit.

I have a personal example. I have always loved books. I can’t remember learning how to read, but I can recall the excitement of holding a book in my hands when I was about four years old, and the warmth and joy that brought.

When I heard about World Book Night in 2011, I knew that was something I wanted to be involved in. World Book Night is one night where individuals are encouraged to read a book they have not read before, out of around 20 available titles. Volunteers are recruited to hand out free books at locations chosen by them. In 2012 I resolved to be one of the 20,000 'givers' around the UK and Ireland, and applied.

To be chosen, prospective givers are required to give your reasons for wanting to be involved. For me my motivation was simple - a deep passion for reading. And when I received an email that I have been accepted as a giver I was overjoyed! I told my brother John my good news and he must have known from the tone of my voice and the gleam in my eyes that this meant so much to me. He hugged me, congratulated me and wished me well.

I have just picked my nominated bookstore to collect the books. On the night of 23 April I will be out there, cold or warm doing what I am passionate about – encouraging literacy.

So what makes your heart tick? If you are doing it, let others know what you get out of it, our volunteer army will grow from your motivational stories. If you are yet to embrace it, go for it, you will feel much better if and when you do what matters most to you.