Volunteers' Week 2007

Put a smile on your volunteers' faces this
Volunteers' Week

Volunteers' Week Newsletter

Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year

Click here to view the online version of the newsletter

There are only 8 shopping days left….

to claim your discount on Volunteers’ Week branded merchandise, which includes thank you cards, key rings and mugs. Order forms must be received by 27th April to qualify. Visit our online shop today.

How can you reward your volunteers?

Reminding people they are special is important – but sometimes you need to shout it from the rooftops! If you’re planning to hold an event to celebrate your volunteers, make sure everyone knows about it.

Why not write a letter to your local newspaper, telling them about your event and how the organisations’ activities wouldn’t be possible without your volunteers’ contribution. Click here to access guidance on how to put together a press release to send to your local newspaper.

For many volunteers, the most important part of volunteering is working with a client group. If a service user compliments a particular volunteer, why not include these comments in a ‘thank you’ card to the volunteer. Alternatively, you could create a ‘Thank you’ noticeboard, where clients can show their appreciation by adding comments about volunteers.

For others, having direct contact with the beneficiaries of their activities is not always possible. Virtual volunteers who use their time mentoring online or putting their IT skills to good use, might relish the opportunity to meet their client group. Wouldn’t it be great if they heard “thank you” in person? Why not organise a thank you party for all of your volunteers and then surprise them by inviting those who have always wanted to say ‘thank you’.

Put a smile on your volunteers’ faces

A few copies of the “Put a smile on your volunteers’ faces” posters are being sent to you this week. Please use these to let colleagues, customers and volunteers know that you will be celebrating your volunteers. If you would like to request some additional copies, please contact volunteersweek@volunteeringengland.org

Free thank you certificates

Commemorative certificates of the 23rd Volunteers’ Week can be downloaded from the registered users’ area of our website. The certificates can be personalised and are free of charge.

If you have registered before but need a reminder of your login details and password, contact the Volunteers' Week team.

Events

Some exciting events are planned to mark Volunteers’ Week this year including fairs, fun days, ‘volunteer taster’ sessions and a speed volunteering event, inspired by speed dating. In particular, a canal boat trip is being organised by Volunteer Centre Halton in Runcorn. Employees of Corus and Magna are going to be creating a green open space in South Yorkshire, local volunteers are also welcome to lend a hand.

For even more inspiration on what format your event will take, why not look at our map of England to see what else is being planned across the country.

With only six weeks to go before Volunteers’ Week starts, now is the time to put your plans into action. If you would like some useful pointers on what to think about when planning your event, the registered users’ area of the dedicated Volunteers’ Week website provides this guidance.

Our online poll

62%) people have voted in our online poll saying that Volunteers’ Week is important because it shows that volunteers are appreciated. Over 200 people responded to the poll and said that this was the most significant factor of Volunteers’ Week, compared with the 15% of people who said they felt that Volunteers’ Week was important because it helped engage with the local community.

Are you creating your own promotional materials?

If you would like to create personalised promotional materials for your event and need photos to illustrate, our online Image bank contains high resolution images of volunteers in a wide range of scenarios. These can be purchased online and used instantly to add a visual message to your flyers or leaflets.

Volunteers' Week

Volunteers’ Week is co-ordinated in England by Volunteering England. For more information on other Volunteering England activities contact us:  www.volunteering.org.uk  or 0845 305 6979 or volunteering@volunteeringengland.org