Volunteering round-up: May 2024

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

Volunteers’ Week resources

New resources are 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
• 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!

This year The Big Help Out will take place at the end of Volunteers' Week from 7–9 June. The campaign provides opportunities for people to experience volunteering in their communities.

Download The Big Help Out Resource Pack to:

• learn more about the campaign
• find out how your organisation can get involved
• gain key insights to help you develop more inclusive volunteering opportunities and experiences.

You can also use The Big Help Out Slide Deck to tell your organisation about the campaign and bring them on board.

Free consultancy support

We can offer support to help you plan and deliver your Big Help Out activities. For example, you might be interested in:

• hosting an event to attract new volunteers
• developing a flexible 'action' that people can do to show support for your cause
• advertising your volunteering opportunities on the Big Help Out digital platform.

If you'd like to explore any of the above, or if you have something else in mind you’d like to discuss, email Gethyn Williams.

The Heritage Volunteering Group’s (HVG) annual conference will take place online on the 26 and 27 of November, from 09.30 to 13.00.

HVG is looking for colleagues from across the sector to lead engaging workshops. They’re looking for passionate speakers to share successes and inspire change in volunteer management practices.

To apply to be a workshop host download the proposal form (pdf, 700KB). Email your completed form to heritagevolunteeringgroup@gmail.com by the 31 May.

Each workshop should be interactive, last for 50 minutes, and encourage discussion and an exchange of ideas.

We’re developing a new leadership programme for the voluntary sector. We want to know:

• what support your organisation needs
• what style of learning would be most valuable to you
• your thoughts on challenges, topics and the best methods for delivering training.

Share your feedback on our leadership programme

The deadline to respond is 31 May. If you have any questions or would like to find out more, email Libby McVeigh.

It’s been a great start to May for the following organisations who achieved the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) standard. The award recognises excellence in how they involve volunteers.

• Centrepoint
• Citizens Advice Plymouth (second renewal)
• Hull CVS
• Home-Start (Hull) (second renewal)

You too can invest in your volunteers ‒ visit the IiV website to find out more.

Our popular volunteering training courses include:

• good practice in volunteer management
• volunteers and the law
• recruiting volunteers.

Browse involving volunteers training courses