30 September 2026
Volunteering for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance – Caz’s story
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is the independent charity that brings an advanced Critical Care Team to seriously ill and injured people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Operating day and night, 365 days a year, its helicopter and emergency response vehicles take specialist doctors and paramedics to the scene of incidents including cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, falls and assaults, effectively bringing hospital-level care to patients when time is critical. The charity is called out to an average of seven incidents a day and, since launching in 2007, has responded to more than 20,000 missions by air and road.
The charity is supported by nearly 270 volunteers across a range of roles, from event support to teaching CPR and corporate volunteers. Opportunities are flexible and shared through a volunteer management system so people can choose what suits them, rather than being tied to fixed days or hours.
Here, we meet one of those volunteers, Caz.
Meet Caz
When Caz, 46, from Eastleigh, began a well-earned six-month break after 25 years working for Waitrose, she knew she wanted to use the time meaningfully. Having often helped family and friends with practical support such as shopping, she had long felt drawn to giving something back.
“I like to do things for people,” she says. “I knew I wanted something to fill my time, but I also wanted it to feel worthwhile. Volunteering felt like the right way to do that.”
At the start of her career break, Caz spotted an advert for the Community First Eastleigh Volunteer Fair 2025 in a local What’s On magazine. She attended without a particular role or organisation in mind, but Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) stood out as she had previously completed two parachute jumps to raise money for the charity.
Kirsty Davies, Volunteering Manager at HIOWAA, says the charity’s relationship with Community First has been particularly valuable for connecting with people. HIOWAA is a member of Community First and uses our Volunteer First platform, as well as attending volunteer fairs, to meet prospective volunteers.
“Caz is our major success story with Community First,” says Kirsty. “She came to see us at Eastleigh Volunteer Fair. I was slightly concerned because it was in the middle of a working day, the car park had flooded and it was chucking it down with rain, but I did not stop talking that whole day.”
“I chatted to the HIOWAA team and they were so bubbly,” Caz says. “I’ve always admired what they do, and I wanted to be a paramedic when I was younger, so it felt like a good fit.”
After the fair, Caz applied directly online through HIOWAA. The process was straightforward, involving ID checks and references, and she was successful in securing a volunteer role.
“Initially, the volunteer role was to attend events on behalf of HIOWAA, to fundraise and increase awareness of what they do. But at the time I started, they were moving base to Southampton Airfield, so I’ve also been helping pack and unpack, set up furniture and count stock. It’s been really varied, which I enjoy.”
Kirsty says Caz quickly became an important part of the team during the move. What began as helping with practical tasks soon developed into regular support for the charity’s operational team, including stocking the new medical store, completing stock takes and checking dates. “Her attention to detail is incredible, so it’s really helpful,” says Kirsty. “She’s just been an absolute star, and I don’t feel like this move would have gone so smoothly if it hadn’t been for Caz and how reliable she is.”
Volunteering that fits around real life
Caz still supports weekend events every three to four weeks, but she has also been volunteering more regularly at the base, usually once a week for around four hours. For her, the flexibility has made it easy to contribute in a way that fits around her life.
“It’s so flexible and they are grateful for the hours you can give. There’s no pressure to do more than you can, but you still feel like the time you give is valued.”
As well as the flexibility, Caz says the people have made the experience especially rewarding. She has got to know the HIOWAA team, enjoys seeing familiar faces regularly, and feels part of something with a clear and important purpose.
The role has also pushed her out of her comfort zone. Some events involve meeting and greeting members of the public and talking to people about the charity’s work, which Caz admits can be challenging, but it has helped build her confidence.
“Talking to people at events is something I might have found daunting before, but everyone is so friendly and supportive.”
Kirsty says that supportive culture makes a real difference for volunteers who are trying something new. “The team here are fantastic,” she says. “If they know that you’re new, their arms will just go around you and they will help you and support you. They’re all here for this united reason, and that’s for us to keep saving lives. They also know that it’s very important to me that they enjoy themselves!”
Caz has enjoyed volunteering so much that she hopes to continue after her career break ends in December and has already asked whether she can volunteer around her working hours.
“I’d definitely recommend it. You don’t have to give loads of time. Even a few hours can make a difference, and you get so much back from it too.”
“I said to her, if I can get six good months out of you, then it’s incredible” Kirsty added. “But I love the fact that she feels so connected to the charity that she now wants to stay on.”