Thank you to all our volunteers

Day in, day out, Royal Voluntary Service’s 20,000 volunteers in hospitals, at home and in the community give arguably the greatest gift of all, their time. Whether helping in one of our Hospital Cafés, Shops or Trolley Services, providing companionship to an older person, running a lunch club or activity group in their local community or even fundraising on our behalf – the incredible people who choose to volunteer make a huge difference every day and really are the backbone of society.

Many of our volunteers are asked why they decided to give their time, but there’s rarely one definitive answer. Meeting new people, helping others, volunteering a talent, learning something new or giving something back are common reasons, but what never fails to make me proud is that volunteers rarely expect thanks or reward for their efforts; to them, it’s just something that they do. When we present volunteers with long service awards their modesty and passion for what they do is hugely inspiring to everyone around them – especially our newer and first-time volunteers.

Although our volunteers don’t seek the spotlight, all of us at Royal Voluntary Service can’t thank them enough for what they do, and this Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), our colleagues will be holding events up and down the country to formally thank our volunteers and celebrate their contribution to the projects and services they deliver - and their dedication to helping others. These events are very kindly supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who also help to fund many of our community services.

Our volunteers will never cease to surprise and inspire me, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them who give their time so generously to help others across Great Britain. Their contribution not only makes life better for the individuals they support, but makes communities stronger.

To all of our volunteers, thank you.

Catherine Johnstone CBE
Chief Executive

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