Time to say ‘thank you’ – Volunteers’ Week is here
Volunteers’ Week is taking place across the UK from 1-7 June. Here’s what is happening for Volunteers’ Week in Wales this year and how you can get involved.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration that recognises volunteers all across the UK. This year, with the continued importance of volunteers in tackling the big issues in our society – such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine – WCVA and Volunteers’ Week partners have decided to once again use the week as a time to say ‘thank you’ or ‘diolch’ to volunteers.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 2022?
1 June 2022 – Volunteers’ Week launch – A time to say thanks
Join the first day of Volunteers’ Week 2022. These last few years have highlighted the vital role volunteers play across the UK. We want to make sure everyone is aware that this is a week to recognise the impact of volunteers, think about volunteering and plan to support volunteering in the future.
2-5 June 2022 – The Big Jubilee Lunch
This year’s Volunteers’ Week festivities also include The Big Jubilee Lunch. What better way to celebrate the impact volunteers have in their communities than The Big Jubilee Lunch! You can join in online, on your doorstep, in a park or over the fence. This is your chance to celebrate community connections, recognise fellow volunteers and talk to others about your experience volunteering. This weekend in June is the UK’s annual get together for neighbours and communities.
5 June 2022 – Thank You Day
The last couple of years have been testing for all of us. Let’s all get together and say thank you to everyone who has helped us through. Learn more here.
6 June 2022 – Power of Youth Day
On 6 June, Volunteers’ Week is coordinating with the #iwill movement for Power of Youth Day. Power of Youth Day is an annual celebration of the contributions children and young people make to society through volunteering and social action.
7 June 2022 – Volunteers’ Week close – A time to say thanks
Final thanks! Use this day to recap how you’ve showed appreciation for your volunteers this year and don’t forget to invite all to join you for a week of celebration again in 2023!
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to get involved:
- If you are a community leader, you can organise a local online event to say thank you to local volunteers.
- Schools, colleagues, universities and workplaces can shine a spotlight on students or staff who volunteer and inspire others to get involved.
- Volunteer-involving organisations can hold a thank you event for their existing volunteers. (It could even be a taster to show others what volunteer roles are on offer!)
- Businesses could highlight the value of volunteering to their employees and customers, sharing stories of what has been done by volunteers to make a difference in their own communities.
- Volunteers’ Week is also a chance to highlight the variety of volunteer roles and activities, showing ways in which people can get involved as volunteers in their local communities.
RESOURCES
A wide variety of ideas, materials and support is available from participating organisations to help you along the way:
WCVA Comms pack
Month of Community, The Big Lunch and The Big Jubilee Lunch resources
Whatever you decide to do, we’d love to hear from you and would love to give as much recognition for volunteers as possible across social media platforms, so please get involved and use the hashtag #VolunteersWeek and #WythnosGwirfoddolwyr.
BEYOND VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK
Please remember to show appreciation towards your volunteers and highlight their achievements all throughout the year. Volunteers’ Week is a great way to celebrate together this June, but we hope it inspires a culture of gratitude and appreciation for all volunteers, always.
Get in touch: volunteering@wcva.cymru.
FIND OUT MORE
Find out more about volunteering in Wales by visiting our volunteering pages or check out the Volunteering Wales website where you can post and sign-up for volunteer opportunities.
There are also a number of free resources for volunteering involving organisations on the Knowledge Hub.
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