Volunteer Week Spotlight: Deborah Oglesby’s Journey

As this week is Volunteer’s Week 2025, we took some time to talk to members of TWI Training staff about their own experiences of volunteering.

Here we hear from Senior Training and Examinations Administrator, Deborah Oglesby, who discovered a hidden gem just a few doors down from her home in 2013 - a small chocolate factory quietly operating out of a bungalow. It was Harry Specters, a local social enterprise with a heartwarming mission: to create exceptional chocolates while providing meaningful employment to individuals on the autism spectrum.

Intrigued by their ethos and driven by a deep appreciation for their values, Deborah followed their journey through social media. Two years later, in 2015, the opportunity to step in and help came when the factory was racing to fulfil a large corporate order. A call for volunteers was put out - and Deborah answered.

“I spent two great days volunteering with them,” she recalls. “We helped assemble boxes, package chocolates, and even got hands-on with making truffles. There were also Year 11 students and friends from the founder’s son’s special needs school lending a hand. It was such a collaborative, warm experience.”

Thanks to the collective effort, the team met their deadline. But the sweet experience didn’t end there.

“A couple of months later, it was Easter, and Mona Shah, the founder, delivered a gift to me - sea salted caramel truffles and an Easter egg,” Deborah shares, “That’s when my love of salted caramel began.”

She continued supporting Harry Specters over the years, regularly ordering their chocolates online for family and friends. “Their chocolate is amazing, and I highly recommend them,” she says. “They’re a beautiful family doing incredible work, creating opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum.”

Deborah’s connection to Harry Specters also held a personal significance. At the time, she suspected her youngest son might be autistic - a diagnosis that only came recently, at the age of 21. “The waiting times are longer than ever now,” she reflects. “And there are far too few places like Harry Specters that truly improve lives.”

Her thoughtful, people-centred nature shines not only through her volunteering, but also in her professional life. Deborah has worked for eight years at TWI, where her reliability and warmth made her a key part of the team. She now continues her journey as a Senior Training and Examinations Administrator at TWI Cambridge, bringing the same commitment and compassion to her role that she demonstrated in her volunteering.

During this Volunteer Week, we celebrate individuals like Deborah - whose quiet acts of generosity, both in and outside of work, help build stronger, more connected communities. Her story reminds us that whether it’s through a professional role or an afternoon of packing chocolates, every contribution counts.