Making a difference

Celebrating volunteers across North Yorkshire and the difference they make to charities and communities happens all year round. But Volunteers’ Week (3 – 9 June) gives us an even bigger excuse to shout about our volunteering community! The week closes with the Big Help Out (7 – 9 June).

Plus, this year marks 40 years of Volunteers’ Week, making it an even more special one. We’re so grateful to be marking this important week again in 2024, and we’re excited to hear from fellow voluntary organisations with inspiring stories to share.

Supporting the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO’s) call to ‘be the change that we want to see’, we are encouraging people to find roles on our Volunteering in North Yorkshire (VINY) directory.

Get inspired to volunteer:

• A-Z guide to volunteering: A quick, fun guide to all things volunteering for you to download
• Get inspired by the contribution our local volunteers have made in previous years by reading our past blogs
• If you’re a fan of podcasts, check out our volunteering stories podcast series
• Want to help inspire others by sharing your volunteering story via a blog or podcast? Drop us an email at marcomms@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
• Looking for volunteering roles? Find your ideal opportunity in our Volunteering in North Yorkshire (VINY) directory.

Here are just some of our tips and resources for Volunteer Involving Organisations:

• Volunteering charter: Pledge your commitment to good volunteer management by signing up to our charter
• Finding your volunteers: A look at the different ways to find the volunteers you need
• Volunteer Management Toolkit: From planning to involve volunteers to recruitment, supporting and developing your volunteers, developing policies and celebrating volunteer contributions, this toolkit will provide practical advice and resources
• If you’re responsible for supporting volunteers in your organisation, you may like to join our volunteer co-ordinator network or sign up to receive our newsletter
• Read our blogs and hear how volunteers in North Yorkshire are making a difference. Topics include; ‘everyone has something to offer’, ‘what do a brass band, a spaniel and a plant sale have in common?’, and ‘I feel I couldn’t have chosen a better cause, or found a better use of my time’.
• Listen to our Volunteering stories podcasts to hear first-hand why people volunteer
• If you work with young volunteers, you might like to have a look at this guide to what you should consider when involving young people in volunteering
• Make sure you book onto our next Volunteer Coordinator Network meeting on Wednesday 12 June
• If you have a volunteering opportunity that you’d like to advertise, have a look at our Volunteering in North Yorkshire directory to advertise your role for free.

Share your stories

Whatever you’re doing, we’d love to share your #VolunteersWeek stories and celebrations across our social media. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Twitter or Facebook.

Further support for Volunteer Involving Organisations

New enquiries – if you need support with any aspect of volunteer management please complete an enquiry form and one of our developments officer will be in touch to support you.

General info – for general information, guidance, templates, online training, and resources please visit our dedicated website, which includes 15 factsheets that cover many aspects of volunteer management e.g. recruitment, supervisions and template policies, etc.

If you have any further questions or need support with any aspect of volunteering, please do get in touch communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.