2010 It has been another fantastic year for Volunteers’ Week and our heartfelt thanks go to all of the volunteers, volunteer managers and organisations who have made it such a great success.
MPs endorse volunteering
Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society and Justin Davis Smith
On Monday, over 50 MPs showed their support for Volunteers’ Week by passing on their personal messages of thanks at an event held by Volunteering England at the Houses of Parliament.
Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said;
“Volunteering is a good way of getting involved and making a difference in local communities. The work of volunteers often goes unnoticed and that is why Volunteers Week is a great way to recognise and celebrate the work of those who are helping to improve our society.
We have entered a new era of people power at the centre of the new Government and volunteering is a key part of this. Big Society is all about empowering local people and communities to bring about the changes they know their community needs.”
Volunteers’Week also received strong support from the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg:
“When I travel across the country, I have the privilege of meeting so many dedicated volunteers doing incredible jobs for charities, organisation and their communities.
Volunteering is a fantastic way for people to give something back but also to learn new skills, make new friends and perhaps take a first step back into employment.
It’s absolutely right to take time out to pay tribute to our many volunteers, which is why Volunteers’ Week is such a fantastic initiative; and it’s in that spirit that this Government will be launching a national day to celebrate and encourage social action.””
50 new volunteer opportunities launched in Volunteers’ Week
A highlight of Volunteers’ Week in Ealing was the launch of a new public sector volunteering programme. More than 50 opportunities have been created by Ealing Libraries – volunteer can help at events, run reading groups, and help members of the public to use library computers in libraries all over the borough. In the pipeline, too, are opportunities for residents with disabilities to volunteer at the Council.
This photo, taken on the steps of Ealing Town Hall., shows Lizzie Saunders, Manager of Ealing Volunteer Centre is seen here (in red). On her right is Martin Smith, Chief Executive, London Borough of Ealing
Gosport VC take to the market
Market Stall in Gosport Hight Street to help promote the valuable work that the Volunteer Centre does for the local community.
Canterbury and Herne Bay Volunteer Centre
Lord Mayor Cllr Pat Todd at a celebration of volunteering held by Canterbury and Herne Bay Volunteer Centre in partnership with Canterbury Christchurch University. 7 organisations attended and all volunteers were given certificates (and lunch!)
St Helens Volunteer Centre
Before and After pictures of the Ramp Riders volunteer mini bus after graffiti volunteers made it look attractive for young people
Ramp Riders Volunteer testing out the Ramps for children and young people to use
A volunteer Break Dancer from UC Crew entertains the crowd
Tuesday 1st June, 2010- Volunteers Week @ Angus College, Arbroath, Scotland
The focus was on the subject of Volunteering at Angus College as the College hosted its first ever Volunteering Fayre alongside its annual Volunteer Award Ceremony. Over 95 students were nominated to attend the ceremony which formally recognised their volunteering efforts both internally and externally.
The ceremony took place within the Angus Conference centre and was hosted by Angus College Principal John Burt and Volunteer Centre Angus manager Gary Malone. As well as all nominees receiving certificates of recognition, three students also received a special prize for outstanding contribution to volunteering.
This year’s Student Volunteer Scotland Gold Award winners were Ashley Cooper for her role as a Volunteer Care Assistant within Lochbank Manor in Forfar, Judyta Sadowska for her two volunteering positions as Multi Cultural Buddy and Student Representative Council member and last but not least Shaun Mitchell for his outstanding volunteering efforts within a local community flat and OB’s community cafe within Arbroath.
Following the ceremony students from across the College were invited to attend the Volunteering Recruitment Fayre. The Fayre featured representatives for a range of organisations offering volunteering opportunities including NHS Tayside, Active Schools and Victim Support Scotland. What a great start to Volunteers Week 2010!
150th Anniversary of the Cadet movement celebrated
On the 2nd of June as part of national Volunteers Week, Kimberley Rowley and John Brookes represented Volunteering England at a reception to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Cadet Movement at the London Guildhall.
The Lord Mayor and The Duke of Edinburgh were also in attendance and were particularly interested to learn about the Volunteers' Week campaign. The event was a celebration of the support and dedication of the 25,000 Adult Volunteers who are the backbone of the Cadet Forces.
“It was particularly inspiring to see how the cadets recognise the skills acquired by their Adult Volunteers by offering internationally recognised qualifications based on their Cadet activities. Here at Volunteering England we would support the wider adoption of this innovative system”, said John Brookes.
The Mayor used the Week to convince businesses of volunteering value
Boris Johnson hosted an event for business people at City Hall to explain the value of employee volunteering schemes. Boris is passionate about the value of volunteering and explained: “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to promote volunteering”.
Suggestions on a postcard, please.
If you are celebrating Volunteers' Week and want to let people in your local community know about your event, tell us about it by completing this online form.
