Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2023

Volunteers’ Week starts this week (1-7 June), which gives charities and organisations the chance to say thank you to the millions of volunteers in the UK for the incredible contribution they make every day.

With more than 186,800 volunteers across the charity retail sector, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people who give their time to support good causes and their local communities.

Volunteers are vital to the success of charity shops and to mark this Volunteers’ Week, we’re looking back at some of our 2022 Charity Retail Award winners to find out more about what volunteering means to them…

St Giles Hospice – Young Volunteer of the Year

Jed Exton, Volunteer:
“It is very interesting to see what gets donated to the store, we often get unusual or rare items, more recently seeing a first edition Charles Dickens book and a crystal vase from the besieged Mariupol, Ukraine. I have a particular interest in the old atlases and maps that are donated and enjoy having the opportunity to properly research and care for such products.” 

Emma Yates, Head of Retail:
“Jed has volunteered with St Giles Hospice, in our Tamworth store, since 2019. His commitment to the team and his local community has been wonderful to witness. We’re so thankful for his contribution and are beyond happy that his commitment and hard work has been nationally recognised.”

British Heart Foundation – Volunteer of the Year

Aileen Pyper, Volunteer:
“It was an incredible experience to be nominated by my colleagues and win Volunteer of the Year for 2022. I’ve loved my 17 years of volunteering with the BHF at the Largs shop, and I’d encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to give it a go.”

Joanne Wright, Volunteering Engagement Manager:
“Volunteers play a vital part in the successful running of our stores across the whole of the UK, it is no exaggeration to say we could not do what we do without them.

“Whether that’s our younger volunteers giving an hour or two a week while studying at Uni, or those who are seeking employment and looking to update their CVs, to those volunteering to keep busy in their retirement or wanting to give back by sharing their skills and experience with us, we are truly grateful for each and every one of them.

“We appreciate every hour given to us by all our amazing volunteers; any time given can help make a difference to the lives of others, by helping to support our life saving research.

“Recognising and giving thanks to our volunteers is something that is very important to us at BHF, letting our volunteers know just how grateful we are for their contribution and dedication, goes some way to showcasing just how much they are valued at BHF.”

Find out more about Volunteers’ Week here.
You can download Volunteers’ Week social media assets here.

Don’t forget to tag us in your posts and use #VolunteersWeek so we can share them!