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 2 June to Sunday 8 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:
Monday 2 June 2025
Whether you’re a small community group or a larger charity, this session will introduce you to a range of funding opportunities beyond traditional grants.
Join us to connect with other local groups, share experiences, and take the first step toward a stronger, more diverse funding strategy.
Wednesday 4 June 2025
This session will introduce you the NHS Public Engagement Grants.
This fund is being managed by Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation on behalf of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB).
Thursday 12 June 2025
Learn how to recruit volunteers effectively, How to find the right volunteers and have the opportunity to network and learn from your peers. The workshop is intended for those with responsibility for involving volunteers or for committee members of organisations who involve them. This course is available to groups in the County only.
Friday 13 June 2025
Going Greener, Getting Climate Ready
This event will feature talks on successful local projects, along with workshops on climate action basics for your group led by Greener Future Leicestershire and engaging your community in sustainability.
VAL is hosting this event in collaboration with De Montfort University and Universities Partnership.
Wednesday 18 June 2025
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we’re here to help.
Come Chat With Us About Your Group!
We’re teaming up with Leicester Community Links CIC to hold our #ASKVAL Leicester City session.
Thursday 19 June 2025
If you are a VCSE organisation based in Blaby District, and you need help with anything from starting up a new group to securing funding, recruiting volunteers or finding out about the support available to you from Blaby District Council..
Join us at for a face to face chat on the day.
Thursday 26 June 2025
If you are interested in volunteering or you are an organisation looking for volunteers, were here to help you get started.
Come and join us at the Carnegie Museum, Melton for a face to face chat on the day.
Staff Volunteering quotes
As part of Volunteers Week and FestiVAL we asked our VAL staff what their dream volunteering role would be and how volunteering helps them.
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 support Volunteer
InspireYouth Collective CIC
We are looking for a Youth support assistant to join us, at our youth club and other work we offer for young people.
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2. Supporting Children and Youth in animal care
Supporting Alpacas – Anstey
Supporting Children and Youth (11-16 years) in an alternative educational environment working in animal care and DIY.
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3. Volunteering as a befriender
Become part of a diverse, valued team of volunteers who befriend individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems with a view to helping to improve self-confidence, reduce social isolation and improve overall wellbeing.
VASL aims to improve the quality of life for the community of Market Harborough and Leicestershire.
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4. Looking for responsible and reliable volunteer drivers
Are you a driver with access to your own car?
Do you love chatting to people?
Are you kind and compassionate? We have the role for you!
Joining Team Welly’s as a Volunteer Driver will give you the opportunity to help break down one of the biggest barriers that people with a learning disability face – accessible transport. Welly’s Work Place is an innovative day service for adults with a learning disability. We support over 50 people to access work and wellbeing opportunities across Melton Mowbray.
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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. Volunteer to fundraise for a cricket group
Countesthorpe Cricket Club
Our Thriving and busy community cricket club is looking for volunteers to help raise funds to support the club moving forward in this time of financial uncertainty.
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7. LOROS Children's charity shop volunteer
LOROS charity shop are looking for enthusiastic people to support the operation of our shops
We are looking for enthusiastic people to support the profitable running of our Children’s 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.
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8. Menphys Saturday 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.
Wigston Saturday Club – Find out more
Barleycroft Primary School – find out more -
9. Art Reach Festival Volunteer – Leicester City
Join us as a Festival Volunteer for this year’s Re/action Festival on 26 and 27 July in Leicester City Centre. If you’re looking to gain some experience in Festivals and Event Delivery or just wanting to support a project in your local community, volunteer at Reaction Festival and you will be able to shadow the professional team and carry out a range of different tasks that you feel able to take on.
Re/action Festival celebrates creativity for the climate and explores the small steps we can take to make a big impact.
We’re an arts and cultural charity. We ignite imaginations, inspire people and promote greater understanding of the world around us. We commission bold, ambitious art and festivals that bring people together, delivering activities and authentic experiences that unify audiences and cultures.