Post: Volunteers Week 2015

Volunteers Week 2015

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Celebrating volunteers

Volunteers at Bedrock where thanked for their contribution at a ceremony at Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, celebrating those who have given over 100 hours service on 1st June to mark Volunteers’ Week 2015, which runs from 1-7 June.

Bedrock is the hospital radio station serving Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, we are a charity run entirely by volunteers and pride ourselves on providing entertainment and promoting a healthy lifestyle to help aid recovery. with 10 volunteers receiving recognition for giving 100+ hours of voluntary service with Bedrock. Our volunteers range from our request team, book team, fundraisers, audio producers and trustees.

Mathew Watson, Chairman of Bedrock  said:

‘Bedrock is it’s volunteers’. Without them we wouldn’t exist. I would like to personally acknowledge and thank our volunteers who help with fundraising, ward visiting, book service, interviews & editing. Thank you for going that extra mile, promoting and improving our service.  It’s to you I say Thank You.

I’m proud to work with a dedicated team, who have provided over 100 service, the rest of our team will also be in for a surprise at our next General Meeting.

 

Volunteers’ Week. Volunteers Week Logo Web - Compact version

Volunteers are central to the work of countless charities and organisations. They are a valuable presence in many communities, helping out in places as diverse as sports clubs, libraries, schools and hospitals.

During Volunteers’ Week hundreds of events will be taking place across the country to say thank you to volunteers who give their time and energy throughout the year. The campaign, which was established in 1984, seeks to recognise the work that volunteers do and showcase the varied volunteering opportunities that exist.

This year, as well as thank you events organised by charities, volunteers are being encouraged to share their own stories and motivations on social media using the hashtag #ivolunteer.

Justin Davis Smith, director of volunteering at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which coordinates Volunteers’ Week in England, said:

‘Volunteers’ Week is the perfect opportunity to recognise volunteers who put their time, energy and enthusiasm into helping others. Whether it’s clearing out a local park, or helping with a reading club or food bank, volunteers are the social glue keeping our communities together. This week of events across the country will, I hope, show people how much their contribution is valued.

‘Last year marked 30 years of Volunteers’ Week celebrations, highlighting how rich our history of social action really is. No one is better at talking about the contribution volunteers make than volunteers themselves, so this year we are asking people to talk about the causes they care about, share motivations for volunteering, and encourage others to think about getting involved by using the hashtag #ivolunteer.

‘Volunteering is a way to give something back, but it is also an opportunity to benefit from new experiences, make friends, gain skills and have fun. There has been a rise in recent years in flexible volunteering, so that even people without the time to commit to a regular activity can get involved.

‘We hope that this Volunteers’ Week you will join us in saying thank you to everyone who volunteers.’

Volunteering Facts

  • In 2012-13 volunteering output contributed an estimated £23.9billion to the UK economy. This is equivalent to over 1.5% of GDP.(the UK Civil Society Almanac (2013)
  • There are over 160,000 voluntary organisations in England, many of whom rely on volunteers. (Ibid)
  • 41% of people in the UK volunteer formally at least once a year and 27% do so at least once a month. (the Cabinet Office’s Community Life Survey 2013-14.)

To find out more visit www.volunteersweek.org.  To volunteer with Bedrock click HERE.