“I wish I had known you earlier.” Why CSR managers say this, and what it reveals about CSR today
“I wish I had known you earlier.”
It’s one of the most common comments we hear from CSR managers after a session.
And it usually comes with a story like this:
“In my previous companies, I always wanted to organise CSR activities, but I didn’t know how… and I didn’t know how to make it fun.”
If you’re a CSR lead, you might recognise that feeling.
Because CSR is rarely the problem.
The challenge is translating intention into an experience that feels natural, inclusive, and genuinely engaging for everyone involved.
Reminiscence craft for seniors - Making mini ice kacang and kopitiam
Why CSR often feels harder than it should
Many CSR programmes are built around logistics:
venue, timing, registration, run sheet, and sometimes a donation component.
But the part that makes people remember the day is the human experience:
How do volunteers and beneficiaries connect without awkwardness?
How do families participate without feeling lost?
How do you create moments that feel warm, not forced?
This is where thoughtful programme design changes everything.
Where we come in
At Little Changemakers, we support CSR managers by designing activities that are:
Custom-built for your audience, venue, time, and objectives
Easy to run, even with mixed groups and first-time volunteers
Inclusive, with adaptations for different ages and abilities
Joyful and meaningful, so people participate, not just attend
Volunteer-friendly and genuinely fun, so your volunteers don’t just “help out”, they enjoy themselves too.
This last point matters more than most people realise.
When volunteers feel comfortable and engaged, they show up differently. They stay longer. They connect more naturally. And the whole session feels lighter and more human, for everyone.
Crafting Herbs for Wellness, a hands-on programme where CSR volunteers create alongside the community and learn simple, practical techniques to support wellbeing at work.
We can also enhance your existing CSR event with mini drop-in activities
If you already have a CSR event planned, we can design and run mini drop-in stations that elevate the experience without changing your main programme.
Think of it as adding the “connection layer” to what you already have.
A recent example: an MNC organised a Christmas gathering. The event already had dining and goodie bags, and it was well-run. To make it more engaging for families with children, they engaged us to run two hands-on activity stations: DIY Chocolate-pop and Christmas resin jewellery
What happened surprised even the organisers.
Participants didn’t just do an activity and leave. They stayed.
They laughed. They chatted with us. They took photos together.
It felt like we’d known each other for a long time.
That’s the power of a well-designed drop-in experience:
It gives people a shared task, a reason to linger, and a gentle way to connect.
Why drop-in stations work so well for CSR events
Mini activities are great when you want:
high engagement without heavy facilitation needs
family-friendly options for mixed-age participation
natural conversation starters for volunteers and guests
something guests can bring home, making the event feel complete
inclusive participation, even for people who are shy or unsure
a role that volunteers can enjoy, not just manage
And because these stations are modular, we can match your event theme, your brand, and your audience profile.
Festival crafting, made for everyone. Drop in, make something meaningful, and leave with a little joy in your hands.
If you’re planning a CSR event, let’s make it feel alive
If your programme currently includes dining, talks, goodie bags, or a formal segment, we can help you add meaningful engagement through:
mini hands-on stations
heritage or wellness-inspired making
intergenerational activities
inclusive designs for mixed abilities
simple volunteer roles so your team can support confidently
CHAT WITH US - share your event date, pax, venue, and audience profile.
We’ll propose a few drop-in activity concepts that fit your theme and objectives, with a clear quote.
