We're Supporting Volunteers Week 2024!
2024 marks the 40th year of Volunteers' Week and we're joining thousands of charities and voluntary organisations in recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. At Befriending Networks, we'll be taking the opportunity to raise awareness of and celebrate the contribution volunteer befrienders are making to individuals and communities across the UK and beyond.
Our 2023 Befriending Statistics Report found that around 19,981 befriending volunteers provide an average of 51 hours of befriending support to 55,391 people each year. This equates to an economic value of at least £16.3 million, with small and large organisations around the world relying on the time people volunteer to support their befriending projects.
Volunteers' Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the contribution of these individuals, and we encourage our members to organise events and celebrations for their volunteers throughout the week. Why not host an awards ceremony, arrange a coffee morning, or plan a day trip to show your volunteers that their time and dedication don't go unnoticed?
As well as a crucial opportunity to thank volunteers and recognise the value of their time, passion and skills, Volunteers' Week can also be used to boost recruitment. The Big Help Out has been incorporated into the Volunteers' Week festivities and is aimed at encouraging more people to become part of the volunteering community.
Our Chief Executive, Susan, is looking forward to seeing how the befriending sector supports this year's campaign:
At Befriending Networks, we're proud to provide expert support, training and advocacy to over 390 befriending projects across the UK and beyond. We encourage our members to use Volunteers' Week as an opportunity to thank and celebrate their volunteers, as well as motivate more people to pledge their time to volunteer. We look forward to members across the UK sharing their plans and ideas for the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week and are excited about supporting volunteers across the sector throughout 2024 and beyond.
Volunteers' Week has received a fresh look for 2024 but the campaign's message remains the same - get involved and let's celebrate volunteers and volunteering.
Are you a Befriending Networks member? Join our May Leaders and Managers Network on Monday 20th May to share your plans for Volunteers' Week and hear from others in the befriending sector.
To find out more about Volunteers' Week and how to get involved, visit their website.
