Volunteers’ Week 2012
 It is sometimes forgotten just how much preparation goes into organising a week of promotion like our annual Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7thJune each year). 2012 is a special year with the Queen’s Jubilee falling on the weekend just after the start of Volunteers’ Week. Lots of preparation took place in the Royal Borough of Greenwich for the Queen’s arrival and there was a real excitement in the air. What is Volunteers’ Week? It’s an annual campaign which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. Up and down the country, individuals and organisations hold events to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and inspire others to take part in volunteering |
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Volunteers’ Week is an annual campaign which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. Up and down the country, individuals and organisations hold events to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and inspire others to take part in volunteering.Volunteer Centre Greenwich kicked off its Volunteers’ Week on Friday 1stJune in Woolwich High Street. The week was opened by Mayor David Grant with Mayoress Ann Grant who came to open our stall. There were lots of charities out on that day promoting their different projects but it was great to speak to so many people who are interested in getting into volunteering.
It seemed that people wanted to volunteer for a variety of reasons; some to get back into employment, some to gain experience whilst training, some to build their confidence and self-esteem and some people who just wanted to get involved in things that were going on in their community. It’s nice to see a range of people now accessing volunteering from young people to older people, all seeing the benefits that volunteering can bring to them and their communities. Woolwich was a busy day and the rain managed to hold off for most of the day, everyone is looking forward to the long Bank Holiday weekend for the Queen’s Jubilee and her arrival in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Asda– Charlton and Passey Place – Eltham Wednesday 6th & Thursday 7th
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| After the long Bank Holiday weekend our next Roadshow days were at Asda in Charlton and Passey Place in Eltham.Both venues were really busy with lots of people interested in finding out more about how volunteering can benefit them. People out shopping were taking time to stop and find out if and how they can get involved.
The main question seemed to be “What can I do, what type of things can you volunteer for?“ This seems to be the most frequently asked question and the answer is that over the years as volunteering has evolved the types of roles available have increased. You can volunteer in offices, charity shops, doing outreach work in your community, working with specialised groups, childcare, giving advice in housing issues, supporting roles, advocate roles, environmental roles, sports & health, being a trustee and many many more… Volunteers’ PartyAt the end of our roadshow in Eltham, we all rushed back to the office to start preparing for our Volunteers’ Week party. Over the year Volunteer Centre Greenwich has over 60 volunteers who help with delivering our services and project services. We hold a big party to thank all the volunteers for their hard work and input into our services and to the Borough of Greenwich. The Deputy Mayor opened our party by giving a very inspiring talk about her thoughts about volunteering and talked to all of the volunteers individually to find out what they have been doing and to thank them for their contribution. Michelle Martin (VCG’s CEO) and Ann Lacey (Chair) also thanked the volunteers and, together with the Deputy Mayor, awarded the volunteers with their certificates of achievement. Once the certificate awarding was finished – it was time to party, dance, eat and drink and celebrate all the hard work that has taken place over the year! |