04/09/2026
🌟 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: IAN 🌟
Behind every community organisation are people who give their time, skills and heart to make a difference. At Pathways, Ian is one of those people. ❤️
Ian has supported Pathways for more than 20 years, ever since a friend and fellow church member began raising awareness about the charity. After retiring from a career spanning advertising, graphic design, print businesses, IT and local government, Ian decided it was time to turn his experience — and, more importantly, his compassion for others — towards helping people in need.
His journey with Pathways began as a volunteer, helping at Drop Ins, Outreach, Rough Sleeper Breakfasts and Christmas lunches. Today, Ian is both a trustee and a hands-on volunteer, continuing to give his time every week.
🎨 On Tuesdays, you’ll find Ian helping with our Art Group and cooking lunch.
🍳 On Thursday mornings, he’s up early cooking breakfast for people experiencing homelessness.
🌱 He also encourages service users through art projects and working in the allotment — always looking for ways to help people discover confidence, creativity and a sense of achievement.
And Ian certainly isn't new to supporting people in difficult situations. He and his wife Yvonne have been Street Pastors, spending Saturday nights looking after vulnerable people in Chesterfield, and they helped run night shelters for rough sleepers across seven church premises, providing food, somewhere safe to sleep, haircuts, clothing and plenty of TLC.
So what keeps Ian coming back?
People.
“I always had a compassion for the underdog, especially those whose path in life had not gone smoothly.”
For Ian, one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is witnessing someone move from a place of loneliness, addiction, poor mental health or despair towards a brighter future.
He loves seeing people discover what they're capable of — whether that's creating something amazing in the Art Group, trying a nourishing meal for the first time, or simply finding the confidence to take another step forward.
And when asked to describe Pathways in just one word, Ian chose:
❤️ Compassion.
Perhaps that's no surprise.
Ian's passion comes from wanting people to escape their existing lives for much better ones. He understands that life can sometimes take unexpected and difficult turns, and believes everyone deserves the opportunity to find hope, dignity and a better future.
Beyond Pathways, Ian continues to give back to the community. He is Chair of the Loundsley Green Community Trust and volunteers with the Community Centre and Green Business & Training Centre. He enjoys art, music, gardening, walking, swimming and reading, and shares his passion for helping others with his wife, Yvonne.
Looking ahead, Ian hopes Pathways can continue to grow, secure more funding, provide better facilities and, most importantly, see more people housed, stronger and able to escape poverty.
We’re incredibly grateful for everything Ian brings to Pathways — his experience, humour, practical skills, creativity and, above all, his compassion. 💙
Thank you, Ian, for everything you do. Love from everyone at Pathways. XX
