Reflections on Volunteers Week 2023 …and what an amazing week this was!
Not only did we all have some sunny weather for volunteer outreach and events in the community but we were privileged to attend some wonderful volunteer celebrations, with VCE organisations in Salford.
Every person that manages volunteers will agree that volunteers’ week, whilst busy and sometimes tiring, is an inherently special one – to me, it feels a bit like a having your ‘soul’ hugged, when you see volunteers being recognised for their invaluable contributions to the community - and that makes all the preparation and ‘busyness’ worth it.
The behind-the-scenes work can start as early as March that year because we all know that thanking our volunteers during this week is so important and takes time, as a team, to prepare. It is an opportunity to look at what we do with volunteers and then celebrate them (This now feels like the right moment to give a huge shout out to our comms team who did a great job sharing stories, videos, posts and tweets, retweets and pictures from around Salford and letting people know when events were coming up!).
Looking back, volunteers’ week this year felt more open without, what I call, the permanent pandemic black cloud hovering at a distance. We were free to engage in events and enjoy them, connecting more closely with people without that sense of wariness. I can’t deny that the weather definitely helped too!
As it would take too long to write about all the people we met throughout the week and the fabulous conversations that we had with them, I thought I would perhaps share a couple of my own top highlights during this time.
Aspire Celebration Event
On Friday 2nd, Claire and I were invited by Heather, the Volunteer Coordinator at Aspire, to attend their volunteer celebration event at Humphrey Booth Centre. I met Heather back in September 2022 when she had just transferred into the role of Activity and Volunteer Team Leader there and wanted to connect with our service for support. Over the months I have developed an excellent relationship with Heather and I was so delighted when she asked me attend. Heather also requested certificates through our Volunteer Recognition Scheme, which I printed out and sent to her in advance of the event. This was great because I knew that these had been signed by both the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford and Alison Page (our Chief Executive at Salford CVS) and would be a nice extra community ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers there. From the moment I arrived at the centre, I can understand why it is such a special place and why volunteers might remain there for years. I was instantly welcomed and stayed to have a chat with some of the volunteers, before the presentation started, hearing some of their life stories (and sorrows), how they came to be involved with Aspire and how much they enjoy volunteering. It is hard to explain the quality of moments like this, almost like slipping into a comfortable pair of slippers and experiencing their warmth, for just a moment.
Having filled up with delicious home-made fish and chips, pudding and cake, Lisa Dickinson (Chief Executive of Aspire) gave a heart-felt speech about the value of their volunteers “You are all people with very special and rare qualities…” she said, as she acknowledged their understanding, empathy, patience, compassion, dedication and selflessness. “If there were more people like you in the world, it would be a better place…I am privileged to call you all friends”
Finally the time came for the volunteers to receive their “certificate of thanks” and it was a joy to watch each volunteer go up and have their photo taken. There were 2 ladies in particular who caught my attention when they decided to give an impromptu speech on how much volunteering means to them personally, how it has helped them overcome some real challenges and now gives them reason and purpose in life. They shared part of their experience in a very rea l, ‘human’, way and there was not a dry eye in the room after. With hugs, tears and laughter between the volunteers, it was a moment when a family came together. It was a privilege to watch but also be a small part of.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event and you could see how much that small recognition meant to the volunteers.
Dancing with Dementia celebration Event
Acknowledging volunteers’ involvement and the difference they make to their organisations is linked to volunteer retention, as volunteers who feel valued are far more likely to stay. This can be done in many ways or at any time but, it feels especially good to do it during national volunteers’ week. I recently met up with Elaine Fox from Dancing with Dementia at our quarterly Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum where we were discussing volunteers’ week activities. Dancing with Dementia were in the process of organising their celebratory event for the 6th June and I suggested using our volunteer recognition scheme to give out our recognition thank you certificates at the same time.
Lesley and Elaine then invited me to come along to the event with the certificates and take some photos of their amazing volunteers receiving them at the Boundary Stone in Worsley. This was another highlight from this week as I again got to chat with the volunteers and listen to their Dancing with Dementia journey. It was humbling to hear of their dedication to the service users, especially those that had been there from the beginning. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie as one older volunteer who meets and greets the participants, teased a newer volunteer that “he still had a lot to learn in the role” – we all laughed and, again, I felt the ease and sense of ‘togetherness’ that was present in the room.
The time and skills that volunteers contribute in support of others were acknowledged by Lesley as she listed all the great projects they have been involved in: baby dolls for care homes during the pandemic, Twiddle Muffs, making blankets, and teddies for the Giving Tree are but a few. She also acknowledged that the event would not have been possible without the funding they applied for through the Salford CVS Volunteers’ Week Activity Grant, enabling them to celebrate their volunteers in this way. (A good time for another shout out to our grants team for turning this around so quicklyJ)
There were so many fantastic volunteers to recognise that I thought the sun might go down before we finished giving them out – if you think about it, that’s pretty amazing!
After food, laughter and thanks, I said my farewells as all the volunteers got up to finish the event with a dance - a pity I missed this bit as I’m always up for a bit of a boogie myself!
Although the Volunteer Centre always advocate and promote volunteer recognition and the benefits to both an organisation and volunteer, it’s not until you are invited to events such as these that you truly ‘feel’ the importance of it all; It’s real, it’s important, it’s valued and does, from my perspective, give you a ‘soul hug’ when you witness it.
Grace Kennedy
Volunteering Development Worker
Volunteer Recognition
If you want to find out more about volunteer recognition, good practice and how to access our all our
volunteer recognition certificates (for 100 hours, 500 hours 1000 hours or general ‘thank you’), please
visit Good Practice Resources | Salford CVS or contact Claire and I at volunteer@salfordcvs.co.uk
Volunteers Week Activity Fund
The Salford CVS Volunteers’ Week Activity Fund is available once a year in the run up to Volunteers’ Week. Organisations can find out more about when this is next open by visiting the Grants Page here Live Grants | Salford CVS
Volunteering
If you would like to find out more about volunteering in the community, you can get in touch with us at volunteer@salfordcvs.co.uk for an appointment or visit our portal Volunteer Opportunities | Salford CVS to review current opportunities.
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