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Ideas for Volunteers Week 2024

Katie M Volunteer Coordinator at Medaille Trust Posted 1 year ago

Hi All,

Hope you are well,

With Volunteer's week fast approaching, I was wondering what ideas everyone has to celebrate this, especially interested to find out what organisations do when they have dispersed volunteers across the country?

Thanks in advance 😀

Katie

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Joe Langtree Staff PANEL

Operations Director at Room to Reward 1 year ago

Hi Katie!
Firstly, sorry it's taken so long to reply. I'm from Room to Reward - charity that uses donated unsold hotel rooms to enable other charities, community groups and voluntary orgs to gift their volunteers a special 'thank you' in the form of a short break. R2R breaks are 1-2 nights, 2 people, b&b. We'd love to support any celebrations you have during VW with some breaks. There's no cost to charities or volunteers - no subscription/booking fees etc. We have 900+ hotel partners all over the UK, 950+ charity partners and have arranged well-earned breaks for over 3000 volunteers. You can find out more on our website or drop me a message!

A lot of the charities we work with hold celebrations to recognise volunteers - special achievements/impact, length of service etc - during VW. Over zoom if your teams are spread far and wide. I'd say that any opportunity to gather them together and talk about the impact and difference they make is well received.

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Joe Langtree Staff PANEL

Operations Director at Room to Reward 10 months ago

Michael Tiritas Hi Michael - no, unfortunately we don't have the budgets to cover travel costs. We have 900+ hotels in the scheme so there should be some local options!

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Michael Tiritas Staff PANEL

Volunteer and Activities Coordinator at Manor Gardens Welfare Trust 10 months ago

Joe Langtree Thanks Joe, that makes sense! I think we can consider it and look at covering travel costs.

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Sian K Staff PANEL

Volunteer at AgeUK 10 months ago

Here are several ideas that organisations can consider:

Virtual Appreciation Events: Host online gatherings such as webinars, Zoom parties, or virtual coffee breaks where volunteers can connect with each other and with staff members. These events can include games, recognition speeches, and testimonials.
Social Media Campaigns: Launch a campaign on social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) dedicated to showcasing individual volunteers' stories and contributions. Encourage volunteers to share their experiences using a designated hashtag.
Personalised Thank You Notes: Send personalised thank you notes or emails to each volunteer, highlighting their specific contributions and impact. This personal touch goes a long way in making volunteers feel valued.
Spotlight Stories: Feature volunteer spotlights on your organisation's website or newsletter throughout the week. Include photos, quotes, and anecdotes to celebrate their achievements.
Virtual Workshops or Training Sessions: Offer virtual workshops or training sessions on topics that volunteers are interested in or that can enhance their skills. This shows your investment in their development.
Care Packages: Send out small care packages or tokens of appreciation to volunteers' homes. These could include branded merchandise, certificates of appreciation, or thoughtful gifts.
Community Challenges: Organise a virtual community challenge or fundraising event that volunteers can participate in from their own locations. This could involve a social media challenge, a virtual run/walk, or a DIY fundraising campaign.
Create a Volunteer Impact Report: Produce a special report or infographic showcasing the collective impact of your volunteers over the past year. Share this widely to demonstrate the significance of their efforts.
Interactive Online Activities: Plan interactive online activities such as quizzes related to your cause or virtual tours of project sites. These activities engage volunteers and educate them about your organisation's work.
Recognition Awards: Establish special recognition awards or certificates for outstanding volunteers in different categories (e.g., leadership, creativity, commitment). Announce the winners publicly during Volunteer's Week.
Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Encourage volunteers to recognise and appreciate each other through a peer-to-peer recognition system. This fosters a supportive volunteer community.
Extend the Celebration: Instead of limiting celebrations to just one week, consider extending appreciation activities throughout the month to ensure all volunteers feel recognised.

By leveraging these ideas, organisations can celebrate Volunteer's Week in a meaningful way that acknowledges the efforts and dedication of volunteers.

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