Digging Deep! – Daniyaal’s Journey
Daniyaal is one of the amazing volunteers that supports It Takes a Village (Collab Training Academy CIC) as a Community Garden Volunteer. He has also taken on a secondary role for Urban Wilderness as a Creative Maker.
Daniyaal is one of many volunteers making an impact in Stoke-on-Trent getting involved through our volunteer matchmaking service, connecting volunteers to over 250 different roles across Staffordshire.
Gloria, our Inclusive Volunteering Project Officer, initially met with Daniyaal in March 2025 to make an initial connection, gaining an insight into his individual skills and abilities.
… and so it began!
Daniyaal found he suited a volunteer role at It Takes a Village, as a Community Garden Volunteer. He told us that it could be an opportunity for himself to develop new approaches, improve his confidence, and gain practical experience in a relaxed setting.
Daniyaal’s role with It Takes a Village is diverse, sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of members:
- Supporting Caribbean Seniors: Engaging with and assisting seniors in maintaining allotments, celebrating their cultural heritage while fostering connections across the community.
- Gardening: Weeding, planting, pruning, harvesting, composting, and seasonal maintenance to help the garden flourish.
- Sustainable Structure: Helping design plots, build structures like raised beds, and establish composting areas for sustainable practices.
“Volunteering has helped improve my social skills, helped with my mental health, helped me to make connections with people and make friends.”
Daniyaal has enjoyed volunteering so much, he also adopted another volunteer role as a Creative Maker with Urban Wilderness. Daniyaal is playing a key role in bringing exciting public art to Longton, helping to celebrate the town’s rich history; making it more vibrant for our local community. He is collaborating with local artists on colourful projects in the town centre, contributing to lively events like the annual ‘Pig Walk’ carnival.
He says he took on the position to challenge himself artistically and now enjoys designing eye-catching props and displays for upcoming events.
Daniyaal’s role creates space for artistic expressions and connecting with the community:
- Hands-on creativity and artistry
- Involved in local arts and culture
- Connecting with other artists
- Self-expression and individual contribution
- Working with a team to fully realise projects
Daniyaal has embraced his new role with enthusiasm, saying it has helped him develop a fresh skill set, step outside his comfort zone and express himself authentically.
As a dedicated volunteer, Daniyaal consistently welcomes new challenges and is always eager to grow, learn, and push beyond his limits.
Well done, Daniyaal!
Want to get involved in local volunteering opportunities?