It’s an opportunity to shine a light on those individuals who are giving back to the amazing communities we live in.
Volunteers’ Week takes place each year on 1-7 June in the UK to celebrate volunteering and take some time to thank volunteers for everything they do. VAL is extending our local celebrations this year to the whole of June as a ‘FestiVAL’ of Volunteering, so it is a great time for you think about getting involved as a volunteer!
Volunteering is a crucial part of local communities, helping to connect people together, make sure that the most vulnerable members of society are supported and creating opportunities for organisations to have a greater impact on people’s lives.
To find out more about what we are doing for Volunteers Week click here.
Organisation of the Month
We would like to introduce our Organisation of the Month: ‘Warning Zone’
The VAL Volunteering team helps to find volunteer Warning Zone educators as well as community fundraisers.
Warning Zone Leicester
Warning Zone is a child safeguarding charity based at Frog Island in Leicester. They use interactive, life-like scenarios to educate children about the risks and consequences associated with certain types of behaviour, both in the outside world and online. They’re always on the lookout for new and enthusiastic volunteer guides to join their team and the vacancy for Volunteer Educators is open year round.
Read moreFestiVAL Events
Come along and join us to celebrate our #MonthofCommunity festival. Here is the list of events which we are holding as part of our FestiVAL:
Tuesday 6 June 2023If you are based in Harborough, come along and join local community groups for a friendly chat about the great opportunities available to volunteer and contribute to your local area.
Find out how your help can make a difference and how you can be involved today!
Thursday 8 June 2023VAL will be holding a Virtual Volunteering Drop in session for individuals who are looking to get involved in volunteering in Leicester and Leicestershire – it will focus on the benefits of health and wellbeing.
We will be showcasing a wide range of volunteering opportunities that we have on offer.
Wednesday 14 June 2023Volunteering and the Law Training
Identify areas of the law that relate to involving volunteers. Recognise ways to reduce risks and potential legal challenges around involving volunteers and Understand how to create good practice in involving volunteers in your organisation. The course is appropriate for trustees, committee members and paid staff.
Charnwood Forest Geopark – How is your group doing?
6.30pm – 9pm – The Rothley Centre, LE7 7PR
Do you need more volunteers, funding or advice on a particular topic? Do you feel unsure of all the necessary structures, paperwork and procedures? Are you worried for the future of your group? Come along to our volunteer and community group event for a friendly and non-judgemental health check for your organisation.
Tuesday 20 June 2023This session will be an opportunity for young people to meet up with organisations and projects that would like to involve young volunteers. Its a chance for you to see what is out there! We currently have 8 organisations attending, you can just turn up and listen, you don’t have to sign up to anything there and then.
Start your volunteering journey today
Volunteering makes such a huge difference to other people’s lives, but the biggest impact it can have is on you! Have a look at our VAL Volunteering website to find out how you can get involved in something new and start your volunteering difference.
Make a difference today to a local organisation, your local community, but most importantly, make a difference to your own life!
8 ways you can give back to your community
If you are looking for inspiration, here are eight ways you can get involved and give back to your community. Older people are extremely vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness can have a huge impact on an older person’s physical and mental health and contribute to a wide range of health conditions including heart conditions including heart disease and depression.
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1. Youth project Volunteer (Summer Scheme 2023)
This summer we need you!! We are seeking to recruit Volunteers (aged 18+) to support the delivery of Focus’s Summer Scheme (17-29 July 2023).
The team of volunteers will assist the project staff in delivering all aspects of the scheme from leading, advising and guiding a team of young people.
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2. Volunteer in an Animal Sanctuary
Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary are an animal shelter based in Markfield.
We rescue, care for and rehome a variety of cats, kittens, small animals and farm animals.
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3. Volunteering as a befriender to visit the elderly
Volunteering to visit the elderly can provide a valuable source of interaction and help tackle loneliness and isolation in the older people.
A scheme to help people who are lonely with a regular telephone call from a Befriender. Get involved by volunteering at Barwell & Hollycroft Surgeries Befriending Scheme:
Find out more here -
4. Looking for responsible and reliable volunteer drivers
Bloodwise (Formally Leukemia & Lymphoma Research) is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma and melanoma. In the heart of Lutterworth, we run a very successful charity shop that raises vital funds for the work of the charity.
We are looking for a responsible and reliable volunteer drivers mate to help in our furniture van, collecting and delivering donated furniture in the local area for our furniture and book charity shop.
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5. Volunteer work placements that will help people to secure paid employment or a route into further education
Shelter Housing Advice and Research Project (SHARP) Shelter Housing Advice and Research Project was established in 1974 by Leicester Shelter Group. We provide much-needed advice, help and support for people who have been homeless or facing serious housing problems in the City of Leicester and Leicestershire.
We are currently Lottery funded and as part of that we are offering volunteer work placements that will help people to secure paid employment or a route into further education.
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6. Help to support a group of adults with a learning disability with a cricket session
You would be an additional pair of hands to help co-ordinate the session and spend time with the clients for VALUES project for the role of Cricket support for adults with a learning disability.
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7. LOROS charity shop volunteer
LOROS charity shop in Hinckley are looking for enthusiastic people to support the profitable running of our Hinckley town centre charity shop.
You will work as part of a team of volunteers to receive and process donations, serve customers and help to create displays on the shop floor with new stock.
- 8. Shared Reader Leader Volunteer – Market Harborough