This week is National Volunteers Week (1st-7th June 2021). This is a time for the nation to say thank you for the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.
At Campden Home Nursing, we have an amazing team of volunteers who help us in our shop and in the office. We’d like to say a massive ‘thank you’ to them for all that they do.
Why is volunteering important?
As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers’ wellbeing too.
It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, and boost your confidence.
- In 2018/19, 19.4 million (36%) people volunteered through a group at least once a year and over 11.9 million (22%) of people did so at least once a month.
- The most common reason overall for volunteering is wanting to improve things or help people (42%).
- In 2019/20, there were around 163,000 voluntary organisations in the UK, most of which rely on volunteers.
- In 2017/18, the voluntary sector contributed £18.2bn to the UK economy. This is equivalent to about 0.9% of GDP.
- 67% of volunteers give their time to charities and community groups, but many others also volunteer in the public and private sectors.
Our volunteers
We caught up with two of our office volunteers, Christine Smith and Sue Clarke, to ask them about their volunteering experiences.
Why did you start volunteering with Campden Home Nursing?
Christine: I first started volunteering because I had time on my hands being retired and I wanted to give something back to society. I felt with my previous experience in admin I could offer to do so with Campden Home Nursing. I had been looking for a suitable role. When the shop first opened I offered help with looking after the admin side.
Sue: I wanted to give some of my time ( when I had retired) to a local Charity. I had heard great things about Campden Home Nursing. I also wanted to get to meet some people locally as I had not been in Chipping Campden very long.
How do you volunteer?
Christine: I volunteer in the office giving support to the finance team, I am happy to take on any job no matter how unattractive!
Sue: I volunteer in the office, currently as admin support for the Nursing team, previously as admin support for the shop when it first opened.
Has the charity helped anyone you know?
Christine: The charity has helped two people I know in my village and another who I know of. My village is Weston Sub Edge and I believe most people are aware of the charity and the services they offer.
Sue: Yes, a couple of my neighbours.
What do you get out of volunteering?
Christine: I get the chance to use my brain and keep it active, so important in later life! I also enjoy meeting the other team members and being part of an office environment.
Sue: The sense of doing something useful with my years of work experience. And also feeling part of a work family and getting to meet new people.
Has volunteering helped you try anything new?
Christine: No, I haven’t tried anything new because of volunteering!
Sue: I have only really used my existing skills, but I did have to learn all about retail gift aid for the shop opening.
Would you recommend volunteering to others?
Christine: Yes, I would urge others to volunteer, especially after Covid when we have been unable to mix with other people. Everyone in CHN is very friendly and helpful and it is a wonderful place to be a volunteer.
Sue: Yes, absolutely. Certainly if you are retired it gives a sense of purpose.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
