On the 26th of September 2025, Stonehouse’s Head of Marketing & People met with Amish Unalkat, the Founder of the YouInspire movement to find out what it’s all about!
As the festive season approaches, many of us find ourselves wrapped up in last-minute shopping, gatherings, and celebrations. Unfortunately, for thousands of people across London, Christmas looks very different. Five years ago, a simple idea – with no formalities, no organisation, no status, business plan or strategy – sparked a movement that has grown into a powerful, people-driven community.
This initiative is called YouInspire.
And true to its name, it has inspired hundreds to show up, give back, and connect with some of the most vulnerable individuals in our city.
Where It Began
The roots of YouInspire stretch back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The charity Amish usually volunteered with had paused its Christmas homeless distribution, leaving a gap at a time when support was needed more than ever. Rather than accept that nothing could be done, he reached out to a few friends:
“Do you still have access to the van?”
“Can I still get access to the hall?”
The answer was yes. And with that, YouInspire was born – not through structure or strategy, but through heart, resourcefulness, and a determination to make sure people were not forgotten at Christmas.
That first year, 60 individuals supported – from one small idea. From that moment, Amish realised the profound impact a simple gift could have:
“You gain something by giving,”
he shared, recalling the moment he realised that even a small gesture could bring warmth and connection to someone facing homelessness.
With nothing more than determination and a phone call to a few friends, YouInspire held its first event – drawing more than 60 supporters – all from one’s network and social media.
That experience changed everything.
“Seeing the difference you can make with one small gesture… it stays with you.”
From 60 Volunteers to a Movement
Each year, YouInspire has grown organically – through word of mouth, shared stories, and a collective desire to give back.
Year 1: 60 volunteers
Year 2: 120 volunteers
Year 3: 250 volunteers
Year 4: 250 volunteers (organised remotely while working in the UAE)
Year 5: Expected to be the biggest yet
There is no hierarchy, no titles, no fundraising targets. Just people showing up.
“You come together for a common goal. We’ve had CEOs wrapping gifts with university students, influencers and even young volunteers”
“When you are a part of this, job titles, followers or bank balance means nothing.”
Stories That Show the Heart of YouInspire
One of the early volunteers, Stonehouse’s Director and Founder Sohan, has become part of the story. Amish recalls a moment from the first year that still moves him today:
“During one distribution, we ran out of meals and couldn’t provide one to a gentleman who had been waiting. I saw the disappointment on Sohan’s face. Not long later, while driving back – Sohan saw the same individual and jumped out of the car and bought the gentleman McDonald’s. That wasn’t for the cameras. That was just who he is. I was touched by this.”
Moments like this – quiet, unrecorded, full of heart – have shaped the culture of YouInspire.
Another memory stands out. A nine-year-old boy joined one of the Christmas distributions, becoming the youngest volunteer to date.
“A month later, his mum messaged to say he wanted to spend his birthday doing a distribution to the homeless with his friends,”
Amish says.
“He’s turning 10 and choosing to do this at that age. That is impact. He inspires me. This is what YouInspire is about.”
More Than One Day a Year
Although Christmas is the core event, Amish continues to give throughout the year where possible: in London, in India during his travels and has supported a distribution in the Middle East.
“Wherever I go, I try to do something small. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be from the heart.”
He also put himself forward to perform a stand-up comedy set to raise money for charity – and ended up raising 20% of total donations. From dementia charities to children’s shelters, YouInspire’s reach extends far beyond homelessness, reminding volunteers that kindness has no borders.
Why Homelessness Matters
Homelessness has become increasingly visible in London, and the Christmas distribution lets volunteers see the human stories behind the statistics.
“You realise very quickly that anyone could be in that situation,”
Amish says.
“There is a powerful element in giving a gift. The first year I was involved, I felt something – some of these individuals have very little or nothing. A conversation, a warm meal… it can go a long way.”
The Role of Social Media: Sharing the Journey
Though the initiative started quietly, Amish began sharing the process online – not for recognition, but to inspire involvement.
“People want to see where their support is going. When they see the journey, they feel connected to it and that connection creates more kindness. I genuinely believe this has helped it scale to the extent it has. My objective is to spread positivity and inspire kindness.”
Stonehouse Recruitment Group has been part of that journey for years, with many team members volunteering regularly.
“Stonehouse have supported us from the start. People like Sohan bring energy, encouragement, and genuine heart. That’s what keeps us growing. In my first year when this was all new to me, Sohan saw a problem and simply actioned. No questions just did what needed to be done. Without realising, other’s followed. Sohan’s actions inspired.”
Celebrating Five Years: A Milestone Built on Community
This year marks YouInspire’s fifth anniversary – five years of compassion turned into action.
Even with his busy schedule abroad, Amish is committed to returning to London for this year’s event.
“When I decided to move abroad, many asked about the Christmas distribution. I quickly realised there was no way this could stop. The impact it has had and the engagement from my network is too strong to stop.”
Plans are already underway. Organisations from Amish’s network have helped shape it into what it is today. For example, Middle Eight Hotel in London open doors to the volunteers after the distribution and this becomes a beautiful way to end the evening.
At Its Core, YouInspire Is Simple
YouInspire has grown because its message is universal:
Anyone can help.
Compassion is contagious.
Community can be built anywhere.
Giving brings joy to both sides.
As Amish beautifully puts it:
“You don’t need formalities or policies to make a difference. You just need good intention and a willingness to show up.”
Stonehouse Recruitment Group is proud to support YouInspire on its five-year milestone and even prouder to continue standing alongside this remarkable community for many years to come.
This Christmas, we’ll be there again showing up, reaching out, and helping bring warmth when it’s needed most.
Because YouInspire isn’t just a name. It’s a reminder that inspiration begins with you.
YouInspire is proof that ordinary people, doing ordinary things with extraordinary heart, can create change.
Amish Unalkat’s, YouInspire Founder, LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/amish-unalkat-aca-15151b62/
Youlnspire Volunteer & Donation Link https://amishunalkat.com/youinspire
YouInspire Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/youinspire.community?igsh=MWk4M2JxcXQzdDA3dg==
