Volunteers’ Week 2012 will be running from the 1st – 7th June. It is an annual event which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. The Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.

The contribution of volunteering

Every year, over 20 million people across England and the UK volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy.

Services and initiatives that are vital to the running of our country simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for volunteers. This includes the NHS, the Coastguard Rescue Service (3,500 volunteers), the Mountain and Cave Rescue Service (3,500 volunteers in England and Wales), Natural England (2,200 volunteer wardens), the judiciary (30,000 volunteer magistrates in England and Wales) and the police (over 15,000 Special Constables).

Volunteering for the Carers Centre in 2012

The Carers Centre has a number of opportunities for volunteers, both in its main office and elsewhere, whether that’s working with GP surgeries throughout the borough or leading groups and taking carers to various events and activities. Currently we are looking for a Activity group volunteers, office administration and a volunteer to help out with our new role at the Southwark Resource Centre.

In addition, every three months we look for teams of volunteers to help with our massive Carers News mail out. Our quarterly magazine has to reach over 2,500 homes and offices throughout Southwark and we are always looking for more help stuffing envelopes and arranging mail outs. If you would like to be placed on our volunteers database for Carers News (and receive tea and biscuits for your efforts!) then please get in touch.

If you have time to spare or would like to find out more about volunteering for us, please go to our Volunteering page.