Volunteers’ Week 2024 – how to get involved
WCVA News
We take a look at how voluntary organisations and volunteers in Wales can take part in Volunteers’ Week and celebrate volunteering success.
This year celebrating its 40th anniversary, Volunteers’ Week will take place Monday 3 June to Sunday 9 June 2024.
Volunteers’ Week is about celebrating and thanking those who give up their time to make a difference. Whether you’re part of a voluntary organisation or a volunteer yourself, here’s how to make your week as great as possible.
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
Organisations can get involved with Volunteers’ Week in many ways, getting involved with the local community and celebrating those who give their time.
Show your appreciation and thank your volunteers through social media to publicly celebrate the work they do
Recognise your volunteers with certificates and thank you cards, or gifts
Host a face-to-face or online event. There are several ideas to ‘get inspired’ on the Volunteers’ Week website from a curry and quiz night to a day at the farm or hosting a scarecrow festival!
Use Volunteers’ Week as a platform to launch or promote a new volunteering project
Useful guidance and downloadable resources (in English and Welsh) are available on the Volunteers’ Week website to help you get the most out of the week. You can also sign up for email updates and stay informed about the latest Volunteers’ Week news and information.
VOLUNTEERS
There are two main ways volunteers can get involved in Volunteers’ Week, whether you’re already volunteering or want to start your journey.
Share your volunteering story telling others about what volunteering means to you and how it impacts others. Whether it’s the feel-good factor or gaining new skills and experiences. Share your story in social media using the hashtag #VolunteersWeek.
If you’re interested in volunteering for the first time or trying something new then check out the becoming a volunteer page. Here you’ll also find information on The Big Help Out
REFLECTIONS FROM THE LAST VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK
We asked our Volunteering Wales Network for things they wish they had thought of, and their suggestions for high impact, low cost options to help celebrate Volunteers week. Here are a few of their thoughts.
I wish I’d thought of…
Sending out ‘treat packs’ to attendees of online celebration events in advance – then they can be used interactively during the event
Cook along with volunteers – gets volunteers involved and teaches new skills
Cupcake drops to say thank you to your volunteers
Work in partnership with other organisations – double the hands, half the planning!
High impact, low cost
Use social media to share first hand experiences through volunteer videos and testimonials
Share profiles of volunteers, including quotes, throughout Volunteers’ Week through social media and newsletters
Wellbeing walks with a refreshment venue at the end so those unable to participate can still be involved
Use reels on Instagram and Facebook to bring testimonials to life
Match volunteers to their interests for a better impact and more sustainable volunteering experience
RESOURCES
There are brand new resources to help you mark 40 years of Volunteers’ Week:
Brand and logo packs, including guidelines and logo and sticker packs to support communications for Volunteers’ Week
Information on how to style your events, including downloadable banners, bunting and photo props for printing
Certificate and thank you card templates to say show gratitude to your volunteers for their contributions
Social media content, including graphics, selfie photo frames and photo message cards
VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK WEBINAR
We’ll be hosting a webinar on 22 April 2024 to talk about how you can take part in Volunteers’ Week. Find out more and register.
MORE ON VOLUNTEER’S WEEK
For more information on Volunteers’ Week 2024 head over to the website, volunteersweek.org.
The Big Help Out campaign will also take place during the week from Friday 7 June to Sunday 9 June 2024. There’s information about that at www.thebighelpout.org.uk.