Smita’s Experience as a Volunteer Church Warden at St Mary-at-Finchley

2nd June 2026

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re thanking volunteers throughout the community – and taking a look at some remarkable volunteer experiences. In this article, we chat to Volunteer Churchwarden Smita Bora. An incredible example of how entire initiatives can be run by volunteers!

Hello, I’m Smita Bora – I’m a Volunteer Churchwarden at St Mary-at-Finchley, which is based in Finchley Church End.

What motivated you to become a volunteer?

I had been a member of the church for about three years – and one of the things that really impressed me about St Mary-at-Finchley, is how much they do for the community. And I was also flabbergasted to hear that they have no staff and that everyone who contributes to these Community projects: everybody is a volunteer. So I found that that was really amazing and I wanted to help!

Tell us about your volunteering role

I do a lot just to help our community links. I’m responsible for helping look after our vicar. I’m responsible for looking after the buildings and I help with finances. So just generally day-to-day things like that. 

What has inspired you most about volunteering?

I think, one of the things Saint Mary Finchley is very, very proud to be involved with is the Homeless Action in Barnet Winter Night Shelter.

So we’ve been involved with that for around 20 years. Every winter, we host around 17 homeless guests, and we collaborate with other Faith organisations in Barnet, to do so.

So we all pick a night of the week, we provide the homeless with a meal, coffee and tea, and then somewhere to sleep overnight; and then a cooked breakfast in the morning, what does this mean to you doing this kind of amazing Outreach work? 

Would you recommend volunteering in the community?

One of the things about volunteering is and seeing how diverse Barnet is. It’s just a wonderful way to help and meet other volunteers.

THANK YOU SMITA!

If you would like to find a new volunteering experience, or would like to see how volunteering can work for you, email us on enquiry@volunteeringbarnet.org.uk or you can search our database here to find your perfect role!