Another Year To Say “Thank You”: The 38th Volunteers’ Week 2022
Have you heard of Volunteers’ Week? Or when it’s celebrated in the UK? Here’s a brief look at what it is, why it’s special, and why it should be recognized on a global scale.
Here’s a little-known fact: In the UK alone, volunteers provide 3.2 billion hours of their time and skills to help local communities. That’s the equivalent of 1.35 million full-time staff! And each day there are 65 million opportunities for volunteering. Volunteers’ Week is a campaign run by National Citizen Service, created to celebrate and raise awareness of volunteering in the UK.
To help encourage more people to volunteer in their communities, the UK government has designated the first week of June as National Volunteer’ Week. The aim is to encourage people from all walks of life to give a few hours of their time to help others through volunteering activities and projects. An annual celebration that takes place 1–7 June every year, Volunteers’ Week gives the opportunity to show gratitude towards those that devote their spare time to help someone in need.
This year we celebrate the 38th Volunteers’ Week. The program for Volunteers’ Week is expected to bring together volunteers from all across the country, with the first festivities kicking off on June 2nd. Take part in The Big Jubilee Lunch, get together with your community, neighbors, and peers. Make new connections and meet volunteers, share your personal volunteering stories, and inspire others to make the first step towards volunteering. Meet volunteers for the first time that you might’ve worked with remotely. Volunteers’ Week 2022 is a great opportunity to meet professional volunteers with long-term experience who could answer any questions you might have. But don’t forget to thank them for their hard efforts and commitment!
Share your stories regardless of your experiences: whether volunteering helped you to reduce the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic or virtual volunteering to help the community. Your story might encourage others to give volunteering ago and make a difference.
“This is your chance to say thank you, in a different way, to your volunteers.”
— Shelley Hart, CEO of Havering Volunteer Centre
Recognize and acknowledge the efforts of volunteers nationwide on June 7th during the closing ceremony. Find out how you can get involved as an organization or volunteer through the available resources. During Volunteers’ Week you will get a chance to listen to real-life stories of volunteers and learn about rewarding experiences.
Other countries also celebrate volunteers although the dates vary. In the United States, for instance, Volunteers’ Day is celebrated in the third week of April. The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV), on the other hand, coordinates International Volunteer Day annually on December 5th. Australians also celebrate National Volunteers’ Week (NVW) every year in May. This year, the Australian NVW took place on 16–22 May and the theme was Better Together.
If you’d like to share your story or thank someone you know, use the hashtag #VolunteersWeek to show your gratitude across social media channels and posts. Saying “thank you” will make anyone smile and feel appreciated, so go ahead and show up during the Volunteers’ Week 2022 celebrations.
Are you looking for a way to get involved in your community, whether in-person or remotely? Want to meet new people and give something back? Whether you’re a young individual, or looking for an interesting day out with friends, volunteering helps you make more of an impact. Check out the volunteering opportunities at 1HOUR — sign up today!
