It is estimated that 14.2 million people in the UK volunteered their support and services through a group, club or organisation in 2021/22 and approximately 1 in 5 people, that's nearly 16% of the population volunteer at least once a month (statistics from Volunteers Week).
This 'formal' volunteering comes in many forms; through the Scouting and Girl Guide associations, PTAs, working in charity shops and organisations, to help run food banks, being a Citizen Advice trustee, being a listener or advisor on a help line and many more likewise incredibly value roles.
And there are countless more volunteers who perhaps would not even consider the tasks that they perform as volunteering - those who regularly care for members of their community through kind deeds such as shopping, cooking, driving, or offering childcare to those who need support.
To each and every volunteer, in whatever capacity we would like to say a huge THANK YOU for all that you do!
This week is the 40th year of National Volunteers Week and, if volunteering is something that you've considered, it's the perfect time to sign yourself up! Not sure how to volunteer or what you could do? Here's a few ideas:
🔸 Many businesses actively promote their staff engagement with local volunteering - speak to your HR or management about their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies to find out more.
🔸 Get on social media and ask! Local Facebook Groups can be a great forum for offering your support. You could find yourself helping to litter pick, mend and repair community areas, or run a tea stall for an event!
🔸 Become a STEM Ambassador! Contact STEM Learning to see how you can engage with groups.
🔸 Join the global Repair Cafe movement! Use your creative and handy skills to fix broken items for people in your community. It's a great way to breathe new life into items which could end up going into landfill.
🔸 Be a Bupa Coding Day volunteer! Help the teachers, support staff, and children at your local primary school as they go on an exciting Healthy Lunch-Bot Coding Adventure!
To hear more about volunteering your services for our Bupa Coding Days please visit: https://www.getwiththeprogram.org.uk/bupa-volunteers
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