Volunteers – 10 million thanks

It’s the first week of June and that can only mean one thing – it’s National Volunteers’ Week!

This year we’ll be celebrating from 3 to 9 June, which will allow us to go big on our thanks and celebration of the 10 million adults and over 1.5 million children and young people who have given their time and skills to help others be active in the last year.

With sport and activity being one of the largest sectors to volunteer in, this is truly amazing. Thank you!

The many sides of volunteering

Everyone who helps out has their own story to tell and their particular reason for being there and just as there are over 10 million stories of volunteering, there are also over 10 million different ways to volunteer.

Some are at big events – like the 45,000 volunteers getting ready to support the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and some support smaller campaigns like England Netball’s micro-action women’s health campaign or the many possibilities of The Big Help Out.

But regardless of the size of the opportunity, no volunteer action goes ever unnoticed and they share a drive to greater happiness, mental and physical wellbeing and stronger community connections.

However, underneath the headlines, we know that volunteering is changing and that it doesn’t always work for everyone all of the time.

The data shows that you are less likely to give your time weekly if you are female, if you live in a more deprived area or if your family are financially less well-off.

Working on volunteering opportunities for everyone

As a sector, we need to respond to how people want and can give their time and this is where two exciting initiatives come in.

The Vision for Volunteering has a 10-year mission to support clubs, groups, charities and organisations to build on great volunteer practices so that everyone is able to lend their skills, time and enthusiasm and support their community to be active.

The other I've mentioned already – The Big Help Out, a national volunteer-taster weekend on 7-9 June.

This celebration is an opportunity to try something new in your community in a one-off fun way.

Last year over seven million people in the UK got involved, celebrating and trying out all things possible (from marshalling at a triathlon, litter-picking with GoodGym, exploring the outdoors with the Ramblers, or trying out roles with local swimming or rugby clubs) in local communities across the country.

Also mentioned higher up today is England Netball, who are linking their NETBALLHer campaign on female health with The Big Help Out.

They're inviting people to try a range of volunteering opportunities, including small but meaningful ‘micro-actions’.

The idea is that small conversations and tiny actions can have a huge impact on women and girls being active.

For instance, when out with friends or with colleagues in the office, encourage them to build in some pelvic floor exercises, or help educate them on the difference a right-fit sports bra means for women and girls when being active.

Whilst not many of us will ever volunteer at an Olympic Games, every contribution is valuable when supporting your local groups. 

If your organisation hosts volunteers, check out the Vision for Volunteering events and add your opportunities to the Big Help Out, or if you want to try volunteering look at The Big Help Out app now and sign up to be part of a national moment.