To mark Volunteers’ Week, we’re shining a light on some of the remarkable people who give their time to support the John Whitgift Foundation. Carlie Wilkie is one of the lost property volunteers at Trinity School.
When Carlie Wilkie first walked into the lost property office at Trinity School, she already felt at home. With three boys having passed through the school, and her youngest still there, she knew the corridors, the teachers, and even many of the pupils by name. That familiarity, she says, gave her the confidence to step into a volunteering role that has become a rewarding part of her week.
From the school gates to the lost property office
Carlie has been volunteering in lost property for around four years, since just after Covid. It was a combination of a nudge from a friend and a direct approach from the team that first got her involved. “I had some friends who already worked in lost property, and they said, ‘You should do it, it’s really good fun,'” she says.
Before taking on the lost property role, Carlie also spent four years as a class rep, another voluntary position that she found especially valuable for families new to secondary school life. “I think it’s a great midpoint between families and school,” she explains. “Parents might not know where to find certain information or want to check where the sports fixtures are. It’s all those little things that class reps can help with.”
What the role involves
Each shift, Carlie and a colleague head to the sports hall and pavilion to collect any items left behind, then bring everything back to the office. Named items are logged, and an email is sent to the child, while unnamed items are placed on a rack for pupils to browse. Anything uncollected after repeated reminders is made available to others via the nearly new sale or donated to charity.
“It’s interesting how stuff can disappear for nearly a year and then turn up again,” Carlie laughs. The most commonly lost items are sports clothing, bags, phones and Oyster cards. Water bottles top the list.
Why Carlie volunteers
“I wanted to give something back, and I thought it was a good thing to do,” Carlie told us. But the rewards have turned out to be greater than she expected. She added, “I get a sense of achievement, and I feel I’m helping people.” She also values the connection it gives her to school life. “My son spends his life there, so it’s nice to have a little insight into it.”
Teachers’ gratitude adds to the feel-good factor. “You’re always getting praise and thanks,” she said. “It really is a lovely thing to do, and it’s literally just an hour.”
Carlie’s advice for anyone thinking about volunteering
“Just do it.” Carlie also points out that volunteering doesn’t have to mean a huge commitment. “You can give as much or as little time as you want. There are different opportunities to match the time you’ve got available.” And the benefits go beyond a warm glow; it’s something tangible you can point to and include on your CV.
For Carlie, it all comes back to a sense of purpose. “It’s just that whole feeling of giving back. I’m in a fortunate position where I can do it, and I would say it’s definitely worth it.”
