The countdown is on to Volunteers' Week 2024! The national celebration takes places annually in the first week of June, to commend the amazing contributions volunteers make to their communities. Volunteers' Week is the perfect opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and pay thanks to our incredible volunteers!
Volunteering continues to be an important part of society, not only for charitable organisations working hard to meet demand and provide vital support to communities and individuals, but for the wellbeing of the volunteers themselves, who benefit from increased confidence and new skills. In 2021/22, an estimated 14.2 million people volunteered through an organisation or group in the UK, and more than half of the population is involved in informal volunteering*, meaning their contributions can often go unseen and unrecognised by many. Taking the time to celebrate their efforts, during Volunteers' Week and beyond, is therefore vital.
It goes without saying that volunteers are the backbone of the sector, and we are thankful for them every week of the year. At 3SG, we are encouraging our members to take this chance to showcase our collective gratitude for the wonderful volunteers of Bath and North East Somerset. We know how busy you are doing incredible work in our local communities, so we’ve put together this guide with ideas and resources for celebrating Volunteers’ Week.
So, what can your voluntary organisation do to get involved?
Celebrate your volunteers and raise awareness of their contributions:
Sending Thank You cards or small Thank You gifts; this could involve reaching out to local commercial connections to see if they have free products of gift cards they'd be happy to donate as volunteer gifts, exploring what volunteer incentive or reward programmes currently exist, utilising 3SG's free Komedia Tickets offer (3SG members only), or simply downloading Volunteers' Week templates for Thank You cards to share a simple token of gratitude.
Organising a volunteers' social; arranging a get-together to socialise provides your volunteers with the opportunity to relax, make connections and meet friends in a fun and informal setting. This could be a celebratory event such as The Big Lunch (1-2 June), a picnic, or an activity outing.
Spotlight volunteer efforts and stories; share more about your volunteers on social media, in your newsletters, and maybe even reach out to a local radio or newspaper to shine a light and celebrate your volunteers hard work.
Celebrating milestones; presenting certificates for length of service or other milestones reached can help your volunteers to feel appreciated and inspire others.
Utilise official Volunteers' Week communications; make the most of the national conversation around volunteering to promote what your volunteers are doing, and what prospective volunteers can get involved in. Amplify your message by re-sharing official Volunteers' Week social media posts alongside your content. Utilise hashtags to reach wider audiences, and ask supporters and stakeholders to re-share.
Downloadable Volunteer Certificates and Thank You cards: https://volunteersweek.org/get-involved/resources/saying-thank-you/
Downloadable resources for styling your Volunteers’ Week events: https://volunteersweek.org/get-involved/resources/decorating/
Volunteers' Week Social Media guide: https://volunteersweek.org/get-involved/for-organisations/using-social-media/
Volunteers' Week Social media graphics: https://volunteersweek.org/get-involved/resources/using-social-media/
Develop your volunteer programme:
Revamp your volunteer adverts to attract wider audiences; ensure you're using inclusive language, clearly describing the roles and requirements, whilst also showcasing what you have to offer and why your organisation is a great place to volunteer
Organise 'taster' sessions or inductions days for prospective volunteers to dip their toe in the water and hear more at an informal setting
Update your volunteer policies
Ensure you're advertising far and wide; B&NES Community Volunteer Service is the main volunteer advertisement platform for the local area, so be sure to upload your opportunities here. 3SG includes volunteer adverts listed on B&NES CVS, in our monthly community communications. You can also utilise other platforms detailed here. Don't forget the power of Facebook groups and Facebook advertising too.
Supporting and managing volunteers all year round
It's great to celebrate your volunteers during Volunteers' Week, but make sure your volunteer programme is delivering for your volunteers all year. Well supported and engaged volunteers are more likely to continue volunteering with your organisation.
Flexible volunteering opportunities
Regular communications and check-ins
Understand the reasons your volunteers wish to volunteer and their motivations
Offer further training and opportunities to develop skills of interest, for example, allowing a volunteer exposure to marketing tasks if they're interested in a marketing career
Take advantage of training events, useful guides and webinars for volunteer coordinators.
During Volunteers' Week, 3SG is hosting two special events to mark the celebration and help your organisation to elevate your volunteer offer. Both events are free for anyone working or volunteering for a local Third Sector organisation.
Volunteers' Week Q&A: Best Practice in Volunteer Management Wednesday 5th June, 11:30am - 12:15 (Online) - Register Here
Innovation in Volunteering: An evening with SWAN Advice Network
Wednesday 5th June, 17:00 - 18:30 (In-person, location in Bath TBC) - Register Here
Elsewhere, NCVO are also hosting events in aid of Volunteers' Week, as well as comprehensive guidance for volunteer involving organisations:
Event: How to say thank you: The importance of volunteer appreciation Thursday 6th June
Event: Volunteers and the law (half day course) Monday 3rd June
If your organisation is hosting an event or launching a volunteering initiative during Volunteers' Week, please let us know so that we can help to promote. Email us via contact@3sg.org.uk
It really is all kicking off in June, as this year sees the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week wrap up with the return of The Big Help Out, a national volunteering initiative which was piloted last Summer. You can find out more about The Big Help Out and how to get your organisation involved here.
June is also the Month of Community, so it's a really great time to come together to celebrate all that makes our communities great. Whether that's a cheers to volunteers, connecting with neighbours, lending a hand in the community, supporting a good cause or sharing thanks with those that make an impact everyday. The Month of Community believes we are better together. Find out more about what's going on in the Month of Community here.
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
The B&NES Community Volunteer Service (https://bathneshealthandcare.nhs.uk/wellness-community-volunteer-services/become-a-volunteer/ ) (run by HCRG) holds weekly drop in sessions at local libraries, as well as virtual 1-2-1’s.
Upcoming drop in sessions:
Bath Library Thursdays at 10-12pm: 6th June and 4th July
Midsomer Norton Library Wednesdays at 10-12pm: 29th May, 26th June and 31st July
Keynsham Library Mondays 10-12pm: 20th May, 24th June and 29th July
To book a virtual appointment to discuss your volunteering interests with an advisor, please call the team on 0300 247 0050 or email bathnes.volunteerservices@hcrgcaregroup.com
*Volunteering statistics from NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac 2023 report: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/uk-civil-society-almanac-2023/volunteering/