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Volunteering round-up: April 2024

Senior volunteering consultant, Helen Tourle, shares the latest volunteering news, resources and dates for your diary.

Volunteers’ Week 2024

This year is the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week. The week will take place from 3 to 9 June.

Resources

New resources are now available to download from the Volunteers’ Week website.

Resources include thank you cards and certificates for volunteers, guidance on using the new Volunteers’ Week brand, and social media assets to help spread the word.

Download Volunteers’ Week resources

Share your volunteering stories

We’re gathering inspiring volunteering stories to share throughout Volunteers’ Week. We’re looking for:

  • organisations who’d like to say thank you to their volunteers
  • volunteers who’d like to share what volunteering means to them
  • service users who’d like to share how they’ve been supported by volunteers.

If you have an inspiring story to tell and would be happy to film a short video, please complete our short online form.

We can’t wait to celebrate 40 years with you!

The Big Help Out 2024

The Big Help Out is returning from 7 to 9 June, at the end of Volunteers' Week.

This year the campaign will focus on supporting under-represented communities in volunteering.

New app and digital platform

The Big Help Out's digital platform and app are now open for volunteer-involving organisations. Members of the public can sign up to start volunteering, so make sure your opportunities are available!

Create or reactivate your Big Help Out account to start uploading your events and volunteer roles.

Watch the video below or read The Big Help Out’s digital platform guide for help setting up your account and uploading opportunities.

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Spread the word

The Big Help Out has created social media assets to help you promote your opportunities and encourage people to volunteer via the new app.

Download The Big Help Out social media assets

You can also:

Resource pack

We’ve created a resource pack with key information about the campaign, including data and insights to share with your organisation.

The pack includes guidance for developing more inclusive volunteering opportunities and experiences.

Download the Big Help Out resource pack

Investing in Volunteers

April is off to a great start for the following organisations who achieved the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) standard.

  • Ormiston Families
  • The Proud Trust
  • County Durham Youth Justice Service (third renewal)
  • Volunteer Services – South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (third renewal)

Investing in Volunteers recognises excellence in volunteering management. You too can invest in your volunteers ‒ check out the IiV website to find out more.

Community Life Survey feedback

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is gathering feedback on their Community Life Survey.

The survey provides insights into community engagement, volunteering and social cohesion across England. It's a useful tool for volunteer-involving organisations. DCMS will use feedback to make sure the survey delivers what you need.

Respond to the consultation by 23 May and tell DCMS what you think.

Events

Training

Our popular volunteering training courses include:

  • good practice in volunteer management ‒ new course dates added due to demand!
  • volunteers and the law
  • recruiting volunteers.

Browse involving volunteers training courses

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