Portrait picture of Imogen against a leady hedge background. She has long brown hair and wears a pale blue shirt.

Humanist Society interview series: Imogen Johnston of Young Humanists Scotland on the rewards of volunteering

June 1, 2026

Our Charity

To mark Volunteers’ Week, our Community Engagement manager Lara Celini spoke to Young Humanist Scotland Ambassador, Imogen Johnston, about volunteering for the society.

Hi Imogen! Please introduce yourself and tell us about volunteering for Humanist Society.

I’m currently a student in Edinburgh, studying Business with Innovation and Enterprise, with a particular interest in how sustainability and ethical practices can shape a future. For me, that connects strongly with humanist values; the belief that people have the ability, and responsibility, to create positive change.

I first became interested in these ideas through getting involved with environmental groups, beach clean-ups, and creating resources for local primary schools. Those experiences showed me how empathy, education, and collective action can genuinely make a difference. Since then, I continue to support my old school’s environment club to encourage children to get involved in issues like sustainability and social change.

“I was attracted to humanism because of its focus on kindness, equality, and supporting people without judgement.”

What does humanism mean to you?

Humanism, to me, means treating people with compassion, thinking critically, and recognising that we all have a role in building a fairer and more understanding society. I was attracted to humanism because of its focus on kindness, equality, and supporting people without judgement. Those values have always felt important to me. I wanted to volunteer for Humanist Society Scotland because I felt connected to those values and wanted to contribute in a practical way.

What does your volunteering involve and what do you get out of it?

I have been making and promoting social media posts for member groups. What excites me most about being involved is the opportunity to use my social media skills within an organisation that shares my values.

One of the things I enjoy most about volunteering is feeling part of something. I think volunteering is especially valuable for young people because it gives you opportunities outside of education or work to gain experience and support causes you care about. It shows that even small actions can have an impact.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Yes, I’d definitely recommend volunteering to others. It doesn’t need to be a huge commitment, but it can be incredibly worthwhile. For me, volunteering has been a way to support values I believe in and contribute to something bigger than myself. As a Young Humanist Ambassador, I’m looking forward to continuing to learn from others and helping show that positive change often begins with people choosing to get involved.

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