Digital Profession team volunteering day

The Digital Profession team recently undertook a volunteering day at a refugee community centre in Leeds, taking part in Refugee Week (15 to 21 June 2026).

This annual initiative raises awareness, fosters empathy, and celebrates the contributions refugees make to local and national communities.

It also encourages greater understanding of why individuals seek asylum, while promoting inclusion, solidarity, and successful integration into new environments.

The week emphasises that refugees are not only survivors of hardship but also active contributors to society through arts, education, and community engagement.

As part of the week, the team supported the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Achievement Celebration, honouring educators, volunteers, and learners.

Shana Vijayan, Assistant Director of Programmes - Technology, Digital and Data from the Digital Profession team shares her reflections of the day.

"Taking part in the ESOL Achievement Celebration with the Digital Profession team was a welcome shift from the usual routine. As someone based in London, travelling up to Leeds normally means a long train journey, a familiar walk to Wellington Place, and a day of meetings before heading home again. But 17 June felt different.

"Participants learn English on top of the languages they already speak, and watching them work hard to express themselves in a new language highlighted that clarity is not just a technical skill; it is a bridge to confidence and belonging.

"English is a phonetic minefield, yet learners navigated it with humour and determination. Playfulness ran through the celebrations, a reminder that play supports learning at every age. Seeing people embrace a new language also reinforced how cognitive agility strengthens long‑term mental health.

"Volunteering offers fresh perspectives, a chance to step outside the day‑to‑day, and an opportunity to connect directly with the communities we serve. I encourage other teams to make the most of their volunteering days. It takes planning and perseverance, but the rewards are worth it."

Through the NHS England Employee Volunteering Policy, employees can use up to 37.5 hours of paid time each year (pro-rata for part-time staff) to volunteer.

Supporting and enabling volunteering reinforces our commitment to the vision, values, and purpose of NHS England, and strengthens our reputation, credibility, and trust with the public and frontline organisations. Learn more about NHS Volunteering.