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 the first Monday in June every year in the UK to celebrate volunteering and take some time to thank volunteers for everything they do. This year it is taking place from Monday 3 June to Sunday 9 June.
VAL is extending our local celebrations again, this year to the whole of June as a ‘FestiVAL’ of Volunteering, so it is a great time for you to 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.
FestiVAL 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 4 June 2024
Are you interested in getting involved in volunteering and community action in Leicestershire?
Would you like to find out more about the range of local VCSE organisations and volunteering opportunities that are available to local residents?
Join us online and start your volunteering journey today!
Thursday 6 June 2024
VAL’s Employment Hub County Team is working with Reed Talent Solutions to host a webinar looking at recruitment support in North West Leicestershire and Hinckley & Bosworth.
The session will be useful for any employers looking to recruit paid staff. If you have any questions or queries, contact the Employment Hub County Team on: employmenthub@valonline.org.uk
Friday 7 June 2024To celebrate Volunteers Week, Melton Borough Council are hosting a Volunteer Fair for residents of the borough at their Parkside offices. We would like to invite you along to have a stall at the event with the hope to connect you with local residents and help give residents a chance to interact with various volunteer organisations, explore how they can contribute their time to meaningful causes throughout the borough, and discover how their unique skills can benefit the community.
Thursday 13 June 2024This workshop is intended for those with the responsibility of recruiting and engaging volunteers within their group or organisation.The workshop will explore some of the key things to consider when looking to recruit volunteers, including addressing some of the difficulties and challenges that you might face as well as alternative methods to try.
Tuesday 18 June 2024
Networking meeting for people who manage volunteers in the Leicestershire area.
As part of our ‘FestiVAL’ month of community, VAL is hosting this networking opportunity for Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) who operate in Leicestershire.
Find out more
Thursday 20 June 2024
The Network is an opportunity to come together to share good practice, get updates on changes to volunteering policies and learn about how to best recruit, manage and train your volunteers.
Join us to find out more about volunteering in your area.
Find out more
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!
9 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 (15-26 July 2024).
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 Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research) is the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
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 are looking for enthusiastic people to support the operation of our two shops in Coalville.
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.
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8. Menphys Club Support Volunteer
Supporting young people with SEND
Menphys are looking for enthusiastic, passionate people to support the children and young people with SEND that attend our clubs. The role requires positive and motivated individuals that will support the safe space needed to promote confidence, friendships and independence.
- 9. Shared Reader Leader Volunteer – Market Harborough