Meaningful Design Volunteering In A Tech Training Community: Jo Chang’s Story

As a UI/UX designer looking at a volunteer programme focused on software development, Jo Chang wondered whether CodeYourFuture would make the most of her skills as a design volunteer. 

CodeYourFuture’s values resonated with her: Tech for good, inclusivity, breaking down barriers to the tech industry,    

“I was drawn to CodeYourFuture’s core values when searching for volunteering opportunities,” Jo explains. “CodeYourFuture promotes inclusivity by providing a platform where everyone can learn tech skills to help them break into the industry. This really resonates with me, so I immediately signed up.”

As an expat in the UK living in Bristol, Jo was also searching for something else: meaningful connection. Her social circle felt limited, confined mostly to workplace contacts. Volunteering offered a way to expand her network through work that mattered.

Charting an Uncertain Path

Jo’s initial uncertainty about how to contribute turned out to be common ground with many of the trainees she would eventually support. “As a UI/UX designer I wasn’t entirely sure if my skill set would benefit the community when I joined two years ago, as most of the demand seemed to be in development and coding,” she admits.

But Jo didn’t let that uncertainty stop her. She made connections, asked questions, and looked for gaps where her skills could make a difference. What emerged was a portfolio of initiatives that changed how CodeYourFuture thinks about design and supporting trainees in sharing their work while applying for jobs.

Working with other CYF members and design volunteers, Jo helped develop a UI/UX curriculum for trainees. The team met weekly to refine content and set milestones. While the adoption proved challenging as trainees pursued it as an add-on to their main studies, Jo and other design volunteers remained committed to providing feedback and supporting learners throughout their journey.

She also tackled a strategic question: how much should CodeYourFuture invest in a volunteer-driven UI/UX course? Jo and other designers researched the UK job market for entry-level design roles. The findings were clear. “After researching multiple sources, it became clear that breaking into UX/UX at the junior level is challenging,” she says. 

This research helped the organisation make an informed decision to focus volunteer resources on more accessible entry points into tech careers. While the UXUI course was paused, the lessons and material was offered to a broader group of trainees: The course graduates hoping to use design skills to improve their front end work and gain a competitive advantage, and those looking for ways to improve their portfolios. 

Creating Wider Impact In The Community

Jo’s contributions extend across multiple areas of the organisation. She explored open-source design systems to help scale CYF’s internal products, collaborated with another volunteer on research that provided valuable insights, though the project was eventually paused due to limited resources.

More directly, she initiated important design feedback sessions for trainees and graduates, focusing on the practical details that can make or break a job application. “These sessions focused on enhancing usability, aesthetics and presentation to improve their chance of securing job interviews,” Jo says.

She also participates in Launch Modules, working as a designer in a scrum team on a project measuring Slack engagement within the CYF community. “Working on this complex product with diverse user needs provides trainees with valuable real-world experience,” she explains.

A Flexible Rhythm

Based in Bristol without a physical CYF community nearby, Jo supports the community primarily remotely. She’s typically available on weekdays at the end of the work day and stays active on Slack for requests and messages. She holds regular weekly online meetings with trainees and other volunteers, plus ad-hoc design feedback sessions where she offers advice and introduces useful tools.

When she travels to London, she makes sure to visit the CodeYourFuture office for in-person interaction.

Building Leadership Skills

Jo credits her positive experience to the support she received from the start. She had a strong onboarding session, and people were always available to guide her. But she also learned something crucial about CodeYourFuture’s culture.

“CYF is a very autonomous organisation. There’s a lot of freedom, but that can sometimes feel overwhelming if you’re unsure where to start,” she reflects. “From my experience, I’ve learnt that being proactive is key. When you take initiative, people respond, offer advice, and take action with you. This culture has helped me develop leadership skills and become more confident in stepping up, even when facing challenges.”

The experience has sharpened her communication skills, particularly in explaining design concepts to non-designers in ways they can understand and apply to their portfolios. She’s also found herself advocating for CYF beyond the organisation itself, introducing her former company’s community manager to CYF for potential collaborations around internships and sponsorships.

Why Jo Keeps Coming Back

For Jo, the most rewarding moments come when trainees or graduates share news of landing a job offer. “I believe these positive moments create momentum within the community. They inspire and motivate everyone, whether they’re actively job hunting or not.”

What keeps her engaged is witnessing people’s determination. “Although everyone has their busy daily lives, they make the effort to engage, share and learn from one another. This high level of motivation inspires me to keep coming back and be part of a community that thrives together.”

She also values the cultural diversity within CodeYourFuture. “I get to meet people from all over the world, and while it might sound cliché, connecting with people from different backgrounds really enriches my perspective and definitely enhances my work as a designer.” 

Your Invitation

Jo’s advice to potential volunteers, particularly designers, is straightforward: “No need to overthink it, especially for my fellow designers. We have so much to offer, and this is a great ‘learning by doing’ experience. It will definitely be worthwhile both professionally and socially.”

Her journey from uncertain newcomer to confident contributor demonstrates something essential about CodeYourFuture: there’s room for everyone who wants to help, regardless of their background. Sometimes you just need to show up, roll up your sleeves, and see where you can make a difference.

To learn more and apply to volunteer with CYF: https://codeyourfuture.io/volunteers