Volunteering with the Hymans Robertson Foundation – using data to drive impact

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Hymans Robertson Foundation, supporting their work to strengthen how they measure and communicate impact across their charity partnerships.

While volunteering can take many forms, this experience focused on using my project management and data skills to support the Foundation and its partners to tell clearer, more consistent stories about the difference they are making.

Why I chose to get involved

What particularly appealed to me about this opportunity was the chance to apply my day-to-day skills in a different context. The Foundation works with a wide network of charity partners, all delivering important social impact. However, as with many organisations, capturing consistent, high-quality management information across multiple partners can be challenging.

When the opportunity came up to support improvements in this space, it felt like a natural fit; combining my interest in structured delivery, data, and stakeholder engagement with something that has a clear and positive impact on communities.

What I worked on

My role focused on reviewing the Foundation’s existing processes for collecting and reporting impact data from their partners. Through this, I identified opportunities to simplify and streamline how information was gathered, with a key focus on making it easy and intuitive for partners to engage.

From there, I designed an online Microsoft Form to capture both quantitative activity data and qualitative narrative responses for the financial year. The aim was to create a single, consistent approach that would work for a diverse group of organisations, without adding unnecessary burden.

Alongside this, I have been supporting the Foundation team in visualising the data, turning individual submissions into a more structured and meaningful view of overall impact.

What I learned

One of the biggest takeaways from this experience was the importance of balancing structure with usability. It’s easy to design a process that works on paper, but real success comes from understanding the needs of the people using it. Taking the time to consider what would be practical for partners and listening to feedback was critical in making the solution land effectively.

It also reinforced how transferable our skills are. The same principles we apply in project management are just as valuable in a volunteering context: clarity, stakeholder engagement, and defining what good looks like.

I also had the opportunity to support the team in adopting new tools and ways of working, which was a great reminder of how small changes in technology and approach can unlock real efficiencies.

The impact

The new process was used by the Foundation’s partners for year-end 2026 reporting and was quickly adopted, with minimal queries raised.

This was a really positive outcome, not just because it demonstrated that the solution worked, but because it gave the Foundation a clearer, more consistent view of the impact being delivered across its network.

Beyond the process itself, there was also value in building confidence within the team, showing how technology and data can be used in a practical, accessible way.

For me personally, it was incredibly rewarding to know that the work contributed to improving how the Foundation tells its story and supports its partners. And from a team perspective, it highlighted how applying our skills in different contexts can create meaningful outcomes beyond our immediate roles.

Why volunteering matters

This experience reinforced that volunteering is more than just giving time, but also about contributing skills, building connections, and supporting the communities around us. For me, it was also a chance to step slightly outside my usual project environment while still using the same core skills in a purposeful way.

If you’re considering volunteering, I would highly recommend exploring opportunities through the Hymans Robertson Foundation. It’s a great way to get involved, develop new perspectives, and play a small part in creating a wider impact.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss further, please get in touch.