Five Things Volunteering with NiP Has Taught Me
If you'd told me a few years ago that I'd be spending my free time planning social media campaigns, braving cold-water dips, or travelling up and down the country (often on my own!) to represent an incredible charity, I'm not sure I'd have believed you.
What started with a simple DM two years ago has grown into something I could never have imagined. These days, I get my hands stuck into just about anything and everything: tattoo conventions, vlogs, cake baking, NHS meetings, artist launches and all of the admin in between.
How My Volunteering Journey Began
But let’s rewind for a moment. How did it all start?
For those who don’t know me, I’m Tori, one of NiP’s volunteers, and I’m proud to come from a family of tattooists. My late grandfather Michael McCormick founded the Underground Tattoo Studios in Walsall in 1998. The studio was later passed down to my mum, Serina, who still runs it today, so it's safe to say tattoos have always been part of my life.
The other hat I wear is in the NHS. Over the years I've worked in a variety of roles, but I've always been drawn to operational support, training and development, and finding ways to improve processes.
You might already be spotting the connection.
When NiP became the first mastectomy tattoo charity to partner with an NHS Trust in 2024, it understandably generated a lot of interest. After all, a charity providing free, realistic areola tattoos to people who have experienced nipple loss isn't something you come across every day.
One of the people who spotted the story was my mum. She turned to me and said:“Tori - have you ever heard of Lucy and NiP? I think it’s something you’d be interested in helping out with.” Looking back now, it's funny how much can stem from a single conversation.
More than two years later, that moment has led to friendships, opportunities, and challenges I never expected. To mark Volunteers' Week, I wanted to reflect on the last two years and share five lessons that volunteering with NiP has taught me along the way.
Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash
Five Lessons from Two Years of Volunteering
1. You don't need to know everything to get started
When I first joined NiP, I had no idea how much went into running a charity behind the scenes. From learning new platforms and planning campaigns to understanding charity governance and partnerships, I've definitely been learning as I go. Volunteering has taught me that you don't need to have all the answers before getting involved. Sometimes the most important thing is simply being willing to start.
2. The best teams aren’t always in the same room
What you might not know about NiP is that the majority of our volunteers, artists and Trustees are spread across the UK. We might meet for the first time at tattoo conventions or fundraising events, but most of the time we rely on virtual meetings, group chats and the occasional voice note. Far from being a disadvantage, I actually think it makes us more intentional about staying connected. Despite our different locations, schedules and life commitments, we're united by a shared purpose, and maybe that creates a stronger bond than any office ever could!
3. It isn’t always easy
Volunteering is far from glamorous. Sometimes it's late-night emails, squeezing tasks into weekends, or juggling priorities around work and family commitments. Progress can feel slow when everyone is giving their time voluntarily alongside busy lives. But that's also what makes it so rewarding. Seeing those projects come to life and make a difference to people who need us makes every challenge worthwhile.
4. You never know where one conversation might lead
The butterfly effect is real! A conversation at a tattoo convention can lead to a new artist joining the network. A chance meeting can spark a partnership or fundraising opportunity. A social media post can reach someone who later becomes a beneficiary, volunteer or supporter. My own journey with NiP started because my mum happened to see a social media post and thought of me. Volunteering with NiP has taught me that the biggest impact is often created through a series of small ripples.
5. Passion is contagious
One of my favourite things about NiP is the people. Whether it's meeting fellow volunteers, seeing our artists enthusiastically get behind our campaigns, or watching Lucy and the Board work tirelessly to grow our partnerships with the NHS, there's an energy that is difficult not to be swept up in! One of the most inspiring things about NiP is that nobody has to convince people to care. When you’re surrounded by individuals who are genuinely passionate about what we do, everything else falls into place.
Why Volunteering Matters
Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate incredible people who give their time to causes they care about. For me, volunteering with NiP has been so much more than supporting a charity.
It's given me the opportunity to be part of a heart-centred community, help turn ambitious ideas into reality, and challenge myself in ways I never expected.
Could You Volunteer with NiP?
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you don't need to be an expert, a tattoo artist, or have endless spare time to make a difference to a charity like NiP. Every volunteer brings something unique, whether that's skills in administration, fundraising, marketing, events, governance or simply a willingness to get involved.
If you've ever considered volunteering, perhaps this is your sign to take that first step. We are currently recruiting for several volunteer roles including for some experienced Trustees to join our Board.
Please take a look at our full list of opportunities here: The Nipple Innovation Project | Reach Volunteering or drop us an email to info@nipcharity.com for a chat.
