Meet the volunteers driving compassion and change this International Men’s Day
This International Men’s Day, The Vegan Society turns the spotlight on the men who dedicate their time and energy to creating a more compassionate world. We interviewed our volunteers to hear about their vegan journeys and who inspires them in the vegan movement.
1. Please tell us about yourself and your journey to veganism
Arputha: I’m Arputha, 29, originally from Tamil Nadu, India, and currently working as an automobile engineer in Cambridge, UK. My journey to veganism began through meditation, which I started practising while living in Paris. As I deepened my mindfulness practice, I became more aware of myself and my connection with all living beings. I resonated deeply with the principle of Ahimsa Paramo Dharma – non-violence toward all beings as the highest righteousness. This realisation inspired me to embrace veganism in May 2021, rejecting all forms of animal exploitation. Meditation and veganism together have transformed my life, bringing health and peace. I now strive to share this awareness with others.
Lee: I’m Lee and I live in a small coastal town on the Bellarine Peninsula, about 100 km from Melbourne in Australia. I’ve recently retired, but I spent my professional career in IT (specialising in software testing and quality) after a long stint in academia to earn my PhD in Mathematics.
I was introduced to veganism by my now wife in 2002 and have followed a vegan lifestyle at home ever since. After a long holiday in Europe in 2016 (following my favourite band, Status Quo, from country to country!) and only eating at vegan places for those five months, I went fully vegan in 2017.
Richard: I’ve been vegan since 1 January 2017, after spending 25 years as a vegetarian. My journey to veganism wasn’t a straight line – there were a few false starts along the way (looking back, I’m not even sure why!). But everything changed when my daughter started asking me some thoughtful questions about dairy and eggs. Her curiosity sparked something in me, and I decided to take on Veganuary in 2017. That one decision turned out to be life-changing. I felt more aligned with my values, more energised, and more connected to the world around me. I’ve never looked back – and honestly, I wish I’d made the leap sooner!
2. Please tell us about your role as a volunteer at The Vegan Society
Arputha: As an Organiser Volunteer for The Vegan Society in the Cambridge area, my role involves identifying opportunities to promote veganism and coordinating events that inspire compassionate living. I collaborate with local advocates to set up stalls at vegan markets, well-being programmes etc., where we share information and resources about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. We also host friendly meetups to strengthen the local vegan community and support newcomers on their journey. Beyond event coordination, I assist with various tasks such as volunteering at exhibitions, helping visitors experience our VR displays, and distributing flyers in libraries and community spaces. Through these activities, I aim to raise awareness and show how simple, joyful and fulfilling living a vegan lifestyle can be for everyone.
Lee: My volunteer journey with The Vegan Society began in 2020 when I expressed an interest in proofreading positions. I believe I was the society’s first Australian volunteer, but my remote location hasn’t proven to be an issue in working with many different folks from the society. I undertook many proofreading tasks but now focus mainly on web research tasks. I’ve been testing the new website and also looked into improving its accessibility and environmental footprint. I also help to improve the content, alongside other web-related tasks.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to explore my passion for writing by contributing some blog posts. It’s great to produce some vegan blog content after my many years spent blogging on all things software testing!
I feel genuinely appreciated by the staff at The Vegan Society and my volunteering makes me feel like I’m positively contributing to the vegan movement.
Richard: I’ve been volunteering with The Vegan Society for 18 months, in a website support role – and it’s been a very rewarding experience. The work is really varied: I’ve contributed to web publishing, carried out research and analysis on TVS’s website and similar platforms, and taken part in user testing for exciting projects like The Future is Vegan and the VeGuide app. Every task feels meaningful, and I love being part of a team that’s driving such positive change. Volunteering here gives me a real sense of purpose, and I genuinely feel valued and appreciated for the work I do.
3. What do you enjoy outside of work?
Arputha: I enjoy practising meditation and mindfulness, which help me stay centred and peaceful. I love cooking creative vegan dishes and sharing them on my social networks, to inspire others to explore compassionate eating. Music and nature are also close to my heart: I play the ukulele and spend time outdoors whenever possible to recharge and reconnect with myself.
Lee: I’ve recently retired and so have more time to enjoy life outside of the day-to-day of work.
Visiting new vegan eateries and shops is a favourite pastime, one that gels well with a love of travel, both within Australia and further afield. We love visiting new places with our little rescue dog, Lola, and she’s always up for a swim on a new beach!
My lifelong passion is the UK rock band, Status Quo, and I’ve travelled extensively all over the world to see them live over 300 times. I’m currently thoroughly enjoying the process of writing a book documenting their various tours of Australia and New Zealand.
Richard: Outside of work, my main passion is triathlon – though I’m all about completing rather than competing! I love the training process: it keeps me fit, clears my mind, and gets me out into the countryside, whether I’m running through trails, cycling along quiet roads, or swimming in open water. One of my proudest achievements was completing an Ironman-distance triathlon in September 2024. It was an incredibly tough challenge, and crossing that finish line was a moment I’ll never forget.
When I’m not training, you’ll find me curled up with a good book or experimenting in the kitchen, cooking up delicious vegan meals. It’s a great way to unwind and refuel after a long ride or run.
4. Who is a vegan man who inspires you, and why?
Arputha: Saint Vallalar (Ramalinga Adigalar), a nineteenth-century Indian Tamil saint and spiritual reformer, has been my greatest inspiration to embrace veganism. He preached Samarasa Suddha Sanmargam, the path of pure compassion and universal love, advocating kindness toward all living beings. Though the term ‘vegan’ did not exist in his time, his teachings perfectly reflect its essence.
His timeles words Vaadiya payirai kanda podhellam vaadinen, meaning “Whenever I saw the crops withering, I too withered in sorrow”, profoundly moved me. This quote beautifully expresses Vallalar’s boundless compassion – not just for humans or animals, but for all forms of life. Vallalar’s ever-living wisdom taught me that true spirituality lies in empathy, and it is through his guidance that I chose a vegan lifestyle rooted in love and total ahimsa.
Lee: I admire the work of Ed Winters, otherwise known as ‘Earthling Ed’. His approach to vegan advocacy is calm, measured, non-judgemental and well informed. The way he chooses to spread the vegan message is rooted in compassion.
Ed’s lectures are beautifully put together with clear and reasoned messaging. His debates are an objective lesson in how to interact with non-vegans when trying to get your points across without being confrontational.
Ed’s first two books, This is Vegan Propaganda and How to Argue with a Meat Eater (and Win Every Time), are both excellent reads and I’m looking forward to reading his recently published third book, How to Go (and Stay) Vegan.
Richard: I saw Chris Packham at Vegan Camp Out 2021 and I loved his informed and unwavering approach. I like his passion for wildlife and conservation and his bold advocacy for veganism. His journey from vegetarianism to veganism reflects a thoughtful, values-driven shift rooted in compassion for animals and concern for the planet. I admire how he uses his platform to challenge norms, speaks out against animal cruelty, and promotes sustainable living. His honesty, even in the face of criticism, shows real integrity. Chris doesn’t just talk about change – he lives it.
5. What does International Men’s Day mean to you?
Arputha: To me, International Men’s Day is a reminder to celebrate men’s contributions while reflecting on their growth and mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Masculinity is the yang in yin–yang, encouraging men to embrace their strength and purpose while also learning from feminine qualities such as compassion, empathy and cooperation. Life is about learning and growing!
Lee: International Men’s Day serves as a reminder that strength includes compassion. As a vegan, I believe in living with empathy – not just towards animals, but also towards people. To me, being a man means taking responsibility for the impact I have on others and the world and striving to live with integrity and care.
It’s also a day to rethink what masculinity really means. I think being a man today should involve emotional openness, kindness and courage to go against the grain – whether that’s rejecting toxic masculinity or choosing a vegan lifestyle that aligns with ethical values.
We should be celebrating men who lead by example – not with dominance, but with dignity, compassion and respect. I look up to men who are unafraid to live ethically, even when it's not the norm. It is that kind of moral leadership that truly inspires me.
Richard: To me International Men’s Day is about raising awareness about some of the issues that men face, including abuse, homelessness and suicide. It’s also about celebrating boys’ and men's achievements and contributions to society, community, family, marriage and childcare.
Visit vegansociety.com/volunteer to learn more about volunteering for The Vegan Society. Together we can create a more vegan world.
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
