Local charity St Mary’s Hospice will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to their organisation and thanking them for all their time and dedication during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June.
Volunteers at St Mary’s Hospice will be celebrating along with staff at a celebratory afternoon tea and coffee morning to mark the occasion. St Mary’s volunteer team will also be taking cupcakes out to the hospice retail shops and warehouse to give to their volunteers over the week.
Anne Atkinson said “National Volunteers week is a time when across the country organisations will be celebrating the contribution of volunteers. In our society we rely heavily on people to give their time freely to help provide so many opportunities that enrich our lives. St Mary’s Hospice is no exception and we have a team of 335 registered volunteers who regularly donate their time with us to make a difference when it matters most. It doesn’t stop there as we also have huge support in the community and supporters regularly organise and volunteer at events that raise money for us.”
“We appreciate and thank all our volunteers who are part of the St Marys team. Volunteers play a massive part in all areas of the hospice from shops to in-patient unit, visiting people at home to reception. All this ultimately helps to provide more support for people going through some really difficult and emotional stages of their lives.”
As part of the week St Mary’s will also be releasing the second episode of their 30th anniversary video series. Episode 2 is a conversation with Helen Warrington a volunteer whose husband Patrick died at the hospice. In the video Helen talks about experiencing the loss of a role after Patrick’s death and how through volunteering she found a purpose again. The film will be available on St Mary’s website and youtube channel from Saturday 1st.
Charities across the UK will also be holding events to thank their volunteers and celebrate the power of volunteering. Last year there were over 600 events across the country, from award ceremonies to tea parties and barbecues.
For many charities the week will be a chance to showcase the range of volunteering opportunities on offer. Volunteer fairs and other events will be encouraging people to try volunteering for the first time and help people find out how, through volunteering, they can make a difference to a cause they are passionate about.
