Celebrating Volunteers’ Week

We’re celebrating national Volunteers’ Week by highlighting some of the friendships we’ve seen blossom through our volunteer befriending scheme (June 3-9, 2024).

We’ve also launched a series of ‘Volunteer Stories’ here on our website to give you information on what volunteering entails.

Our Manager, Annie explains: “We’re often asked by people thinking of volunteering with us why they should choose Communicare. It would be easy for us to give lots of reasons to get involved, but it’s best if people hear from our volunteers themselves.

‘Volunteer Stories’

“So, as part of 2024 Volunteers’ Week, we’ve put together a series of ‘Volunteer Stories’ launching to give you more information on what volunteering for us involves and how it benefits our service users as well as the volunteer. In the process of compiling these we’ve come across some amazing stories about fabulous friendships developing and it’s been an incredibly heart-warming experience.”

Claire & Sheila

One of those stories is that of our volunteer, Claire Rutherford who has been befriending service user Sheila Waddell for four years.

Sheila says: “We have got on so well from the beginning and really enjoy each other’s company, to the extent that when Claire recently got married, she invited not only me to the wedding, but also my daughter and son-in-law, and we all had a wonderful time!”

Annie continues: “We’ve spoken to volunteers who have told us volunteering changes lives. It’s a wonderful way to give back to society and help others, which in turn makes you feel great.

Flexible volunteering

“Many volunteers get as much out of the experience as the service user or users they are assisting or befriending. Others say how rewarding it is to know they are helping others through the admin or office work they do for us as well. There are so many different volunteer roles available and we’re very flexible, so can work around people’s commitments.

“Some of our Communiteers befriend over the telephone and others email people, so there are some roles for volunteers that mean you don’t even need to leave home or do anything in person. It couldn’t be simpler.”

What is Volunteers’ Week?

Volunteers’ Week celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK.

The celebration starts on the first Monday in June every year. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s incredible volunteers for all they contribute within our communities, the voluntary sector, and society.

How to volunteer

If you ever have a spare hour, or so, each week, then we’d love to hear from you, as we always need more volunteers and befrienders, and the experience may also benefit you too.

We can be flexible and work around your other commitments. Please get in touch via 023 8250 0050 or volunteer@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.