Getting inspired
To give you ideas for your celebrations, here are some ways you can start to plan for and engage in Volunteers’ Week.
Celebrate
- Certificate presentations, awards evenings – download our certificate template
- Parties, celebrations, festivals
- Thank you cards and small gifts eg sending all volunteers a tea bag to ‘have a cup on us’ – use our thank you card template
- Visual displays – shop windows, badges, posters
- Social media thank you messages – see our guide to using social media
Raise awareness
- Physical presence on market stalls, in public squares, libraries, supermarkets, high streets, county shows, hospitals
- Articles in the local newspaper
- Programmes on local radio
- Use our press release template to help you spread the word
Develop
- Volunteering fairs, open days, recruitment events, conferences
- Training and induction events
"For Sport England, Volunteers’ Week is a real opportunity for us to come together as an organisation to say thank you to the 6.7 million people who volunteer to support sport and physical activity... During Volunteers’ Week we hope to inspire local sports clubs and communities to celebrate this with us."
- Kristen Stephenson, Sport England
Share
- Breakfasts, coffee mornings, afternoon teas
- Lunches
- Picnics, BBQs
- Curry and quiz nights
- Pimms and pizza party
Get active
- Wellbeing walks, community clean-ups, boat trips, treasure hunts, pottery cafés, floristry sessions, a day at the farm
Collaborate
- Work with other organisations, partner with local volunteer centres, contact local councils
Be unique
- ‘Learn the lingo’ workshop for international volunteers, scarecrow festival, ‘BioBlitz’, ukulele concert
"We run an appreciation station at our London office, to encourage staff to leave a message of appreciation to our amazing volunteers."
- Marta Mazzini Cea, Macmillan Cancer Support
