Volunteer spotlight! Lydia Provan
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I’m based in Edinburgh and I’m currently studying a Masters in Global Environment and Politics at Edinburgh University. Alongside my studies, I’m part of a student consulting group, where I get to apply my interest in environmental issues in a practical, client-facing way. Outside of work and uni, I’m rarely sitting still. I work part time as a gym instructor and swim with the University club, and I’m usually looking for the next excuse to be outdoors. I’m originally from the Highlands of Scotland, so the mountains have always been a huge part of my life. In summer, I sail as much as I can; in winter, I’m on skis whenever the conditions allow.
Why did you choose to volunteer with A Good Thing?
I was drawn to A Good Thing as it offers a genuinely practical way to do good, connecting organisations in a way that reduces waste and increases community impact. It’s the kind of model I really believe in: simple, efficient, and focused on getting resources to where they’ll be used well.
Volunteering also felt like a natural extension of what I’m studying and working towards, finding ways to communicate environmental and social value clearly, and helping initiatives with a real-world impact to reach more people.
What’s your role as part of the volunteering programme?
My role as communications officer focuses on helping tell the story of the platform and the impact it enables. That includes creating clear, engaging content that explains what A Good Thing does, why it matters, and how organisations can get involved.
What do you hope to learn from your volunteering experience?
I’m keen to strengthen my ability to communicate complex ideas simply, especially around environmental and social impact, without losing the nuance. I’m also looking forward to learning more about how charities and community organisations operate day to day, and what kinds of support make the biggest difference in practice. More broadly, I’m interested in how digital platforms can scale positive impact. I want to understand how you build trust, make it easy for people to take part, and keep the story grounded in real outcomes rather than good intentions alone.
Tell us about a success you’ve had in the role so far
I have built strong links across the University of Edinburgh, particularly with Edinburgh University Sport and other departments, and have used those relationships to connect with charities across the city.
It’s been rewarding to see how quickly impact can happen when the message is clear and the process is simple. Small changes to wording or calls to action can make a real difference in getting people involved, and the positive feedback from organisations using the platform has been a great motivator.