What is Volunteers Week?
A time to say thanks!
Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. Volunteers’ Week is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of activities across the UK. These activities showcase and celebrate volunteers and the contribution volunteering makes in our communities.
Volunteers’ Week 2022 is a time to say thanks. It goes without saying that volunteers have played a key role in the pandemic response. During an exceptionally difficult couple of years, people from all walks of life around the UK have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to their communities – just as they do every year. This is a time for us to come together and thank all volunteers for their invaluable contribution.
This 38th annual Volunteers’ Week is taking place during the #MonthOfCommunity. Running throughout June, #MonthOfCommunity brings together organisations with a range of events in order to encourage us all to think about and join in with activities happening in our local communities.
Each day follows a central theme to guide your plans for Volunteers’ Week 2022.
Why Volunteer?
Depending on your interests, the skills you have or the skills you wish to develop there are various opportunities available. As well as giving you the tools to enhance your volunteering experience, completed training courses as part of your volunteering role can all be used to enhance your C.V.
Research led by What Works Wellbeing shows that volunteering is associated with higher levels of wellbeing, better general health and fewer mental health problems. The socialisation that comes from volunteering in groups and with other people is beneficial, similar to taking part in sport. The sense of purpose that you gain from volunteering may also be a contributing factor. The report gives a much deeper look into volunteering and wellbeing.
The Royal Voluntary Service also did some research among their own volunteers and discovered that 91 per cent felt a sense of purpose thanks to their volunteer activities. They also found that many experienced an improved sense of wellbeing having started volunteering for the first time.
So not only does volunteering give you the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills, meet new people, try new things, give you a chance to get out of the house and into your community, it also has a positive impact on our wellbeing.
Who Offers Volunteering Opportunities in My Area and What’s Available Now?
Our Volunteering Providers page has lots of information on local organisation who offer Volunteering, if you want to know more, click here to visit the page! We also have a Volunteering Opportunities page where organisations advertise the current volunteering opportunities which they have available, if you want to know what’s available now in your area, please click here to visit the page.
