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volunteering

Positive stories, useful developments and people making a difference in volunteering.

Dunstable Clock Tower and Market Cross. Representative photograph of Dunstable; it does not show Harmony, her family or the food redistribution work.

Dunstable tenant turns surplus supermarket food into a lifeline for neighbours

For five years, Harmony has collected surplus supermarket food three times a week and shared it with people in her Dunstable neighbourhood, turning help she once received into practical support for others.

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Representative view of Lisburn Civic Centre. The photograph does not depict a training session.

Free training programme gives Lisburn and Castlereagh community groups practical skills through to March

Volunteers and staff can book free sessions covering funding applications, first aid, safeguarding, governance, data protection, food hygiene, diversity and event marshalling.

Eight volunteering festivals will help East Hampshire residents find ways to get involved

Eight volunteering festivals will help East Hampshire residents find ways to get involved

Community events across East Hampshire are bringing volunteering opportunities into towns and villages so residents can meet organisations face to face.

Shrewsbury turns disused town-centre plot into a community garden

Shrewsbury turns disused town-centre plot into a community garden

Volunteers are being invited to help transform an unused Abbey Foregate site into a pocket park and shared community garden.

Image accompanying Meet the volunteers helping stranded hikers in the Scottish Highlands

Meet the volunteers helping stranded hikers in the Scottish Highlands

Tower Ridge from the summit of Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, Scotland (PA) Mountain rescue callouts across the UK are rising significantly, ...

Image accompanying The volunteers providing meals and help to wildfire crews

The volunteers providing meals and help to wildfire crews

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The charity, which relies on donations, is supporting fire crews with hot food and drinks on the ground [Rapid Relief Team] "We ...

Image accompanying Maritime volunteers join River Tyne clean-up

Maritime volunteers join River Tyne clean-up

Maritime volunteers have taken to the River Tyne as part of a multi-agency operation to clean up thousands of small… | North East | Environment | Environment | Community | ...

Image accompanying Cambridgeshire residents lead effort to tackle speeding

Cambridgeshire residents lead effort to tackle speeding

Residents are taking the lead in making their roads safer by tackling speeding head-on. In Cambridgeshire, more than 1,000 volunteers are involved in the Community Speedwatch scheme, which aims to ...

Image accompanying Age UK calls for bucket collection volunteers in Redditch and Bromsgrove

Age UK calls for bucket collection volunteers in Redditch and Bromsgrove

Age UK North Worcestershire is appealing for volunteers to help with supermarket bucket collections across the district between September and December.

Image accompanying ‘I came to the Highlands to give something back to the hills’: a volunteering trip in Scotland

‘I came to the Highlands to give something back to the hills’: a volunteering trip in Scotland

I found two days of hard graft – repairing hiking paths with a conservation trust in stunningly remote Wester Ross – a surprisingly rewarding experience ...

Image accompanying Volunteers praised as Callander Primary School nears completion

Volunteers praised as Callander Primary School nears completion

Volunteers and Kier Construction praised for community work during Callander Primary School build, supporting local charities. Stirling ...

Image accompanying I fix cars for a living and put out fires in my spare time

I fix cars for a living and put out fires in my spare time

By day, 20-year-old Tyrell Cambridge spends his hours fixing vehicles, but when the tools are down, he swaps the workshop for the fire station. Volunteering as a firefighter for the Peterborough ...

Image accompanying Cromer RNLI is encouraging volunteers to get involved

Cromer RNLI is encouraging volunteers to get involved

A volunteer is encouraging others to get involved after taking on five different roles at her lifeboat station.

Barry Peacock with East Dunbartonshire civic representatives and members of his fitness group

Free fitness sessions for over-60s earn gym owner community sports award

Kirkintilloch gym owner Barry Peacock has been recognised for giving his time freely to help older residents stay active and young footballers build healthy habits.

Image accompanying Former volunteer takes on family support role in Glasgow

Former volunteer takes on family support role in Glasgow

Eloise McCormack has transitioned from a parent volunteer to a professional family support worker within Glasgow.

Image accompanying Glasgow volunteer celebrates half-century with SSAFA

Glasgow volunteer celebrates half-century with SSAFA

A Pollokshields man has been recognised for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Armed Forces charity.

Image accompanying Cats Protection seeks helpers across North Wales

Cats Protection seeks helpers across North Wales

The national animal welfare charity is looking for recruits in North Wales to assist with its administrative and promotional efforts.

Image accompanying Design firm staff join forces for local conservation

Design firm staff join forces for local conservation

Employees from ArchitecturePLB have rolled up their sleeves to help protect native habitats in Hampshire.

Image accompanying Swindon man finds new path through volunteering

Swindon man finds new path through volunteering

A Wiltshire resident has credited volunteer work with helping him turn his life around after a long struggle with addiction.

Image accompanying Berkshire Search and Rescue hosts MP for training visit

Berkshire Search and Rescue hosts MP for training visit

Clive Jones MP met with volunteers in Berkshire to see first-hand how the search and rescue team prepares for emergencies.

Image accompanying Teesside tribute honours volunteers who fought in Spain

Teesside tribute honours volunteers who fought in Spain

The North East Volunteers for Liberty is highlighting the legacy of local fighters who defended the Spanish Republic.

Image accompanying Search and rescue team bolsters medical capabilities

Search and rescue team bolsters medical capabilities

Volunteer responders in Worcestershire have upgraded their life-saving equipment and expanded their ranks to strengthen emergency support.

Image accompanying West Mercia Police calls for volunteer cadet leaders

West Mercia Police calls for volunteer cadet leaders

The force is expanding its youth engagement efforts by seeking new volunteer leaders for its Police Cadets scheme.

Image accompanying Annual meeting examines the impact of volunteering in the Vale of Glamorgan

Annual meeting examines the impact of volunteering in the Vale of Glamorgan

Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern hosted its annual gathering to discuss the vital role of local volunteers.

Image accompanying Northern Trust seeks volunteers for bereavement support line

Northern Trust seeks volunteers for bereavement support line

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is recruiting listeners to provide comfort to grieving families across regional hospitals.

Image accompanying Consett charity receives King's Award for voluntary service

Consett charity receives King's Award for voluntary service

Foundation For Good has been honoured with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service for its work in County Durham.

Image accompanying St Davids RNLI rescue featured on national television

St Davids RNLI rescue featured on national television

The bravery of the St Davids RNLI crew was highlighted in a recent episode of the BBC programme Saving Lives at Sea.

Image accompanying Volunteers rally to spruce up Haverfordwest Tennis Club

Volunteers rally to spruce up Haverfordwest Tennis Club

Haverfordwest Tennis Club received a groundskeeping boost as part of this year's Sport Pembrokeshire Task Force Day.

Image accompanying New befriending initiative launches in Northumberland

New befriending initiative launches in Northumberland

Age UK Northumberland has introduced the Enabling Connections programme to provide vital face-to-face support for elderly residents.

Image accompanying Oxfordshire volunteer marks four decades of service

Oxfordshire volunteer marks four decades of service

Mavis Shortman was honoured with a surprise 80th birthday party to celebrate her long-standing commitment to Christian Aid.

Volunteer cooks from Cegin Llanelli holding kitchen utensils

Llanelli community kitchen serves more than 1,040 meals in its first six months

Cegin Llanelli has served more than 1,040 free or pay-what-you-can two-course meals, while 15 volunteers have contributed over 690 hours and rescued food from waste.

Age UK North Worcestershire volunteering appeal

Age UK asks North Worcestershire residents for just a few hours to support older people and young fundraisers

Age UK North Worcestershire is recruiting volunteer mentors and collection helpers, with roles requiring as little as two hours or three hours a month.

Rutland small community grants programme graphic

Rutland opens another round of small grants for projects tackling rural isolation

Grassroots groups in Rutland can apply for £500 to £2,000 for projects supporting volunteers, wellbeing, vulnerable residents and stronger rural communities.

Funding available graphic from East Dunbartonshire Council

East Dunbartonshire groups can apply for up to £4,000 to tackle isolation and bring people together

A new local fund offers community organisations grants of up to £4,000 for projects supporting wellbeing, families, inclusion and social connection.

A Travis Perkins community engagement visit with school students

£1.1m fund has backed 211 community projects across the UK in six months

A social-value fund linked to social-housing contracts has supported 211 projects including defibrillators, school visits, financial literacy and small repairs for vulnerable residents.

Elswick Community Pool, one of 20 Newcastle organisations receiving funding

Twenty Newcastle community organisations share £400,000 for spaces, services and accessibility

Twenty Newcastle voluntary organisations have received grants between £10,700 and £30,000 for community buildings, youth work, health, arts and sport.

Volunteers repairing a mountain path in the Scottish Highlands

Volunteers spend their Highland holiday repairing one of Scotland’s busiest mountain paths

Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland volunteers are helping repair eroded mountain paths in Wester Ross while learning practical conservation skills.

Cyclists and spectators linked to the Tour de France coming to Wales

Around 1,250 people have already volunteered to welcome the Tour de France to Wales

Around 1,250 people have registered interest in volunteering for the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ in Wales, with more places still open.

Volunteers carrying out stitching work at Petersfield Repair Café

Petersfield Repair Café has already helped more than 200 people keep broken things in use

A £10,000 climate grant helped launch Petersfield Repair Café, where volunteers have already assessed or repaired more than 150 items brought in by over 200 people.

Birmingham Airport supporters celebrating fundraising for Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity

Birmingham Airport passes £200,000 raised for children’s hospital charity

Airport staff, passengers and businesses have raised more than £200,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity in 18 months, already closing in on a three-year £250,000 target.

Police cadets and volunteer leaders in the West Mercia area

West Mercia Police is recruiting volunteers to help young cadets grow in confidence

Volunteer Cadet Programme Leaders are being recruited across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford to support teenagers with teamwork, leadership and community activities.

ArchitecturePLB staff volunteering beside the River Test in Hampshire

Hampshire architects swap desks for waders to help clear invasive plants from the River Test

Staff from ArchitecturePLB spent a volunteer day in Whitchurch removing Himalayan balsam and monkey flower from a chalk stream habitat in the Upper Test Valley.

Daniel Norrish volunteering in a FoodCycle community kitchen in Swindon

Two years sober, Swindon volunteer helps turn surplus food into free community meals

Daniel Norrish says volunteering with FoodCycle Swindon has helped him rebuild his life after alcohol addiction, while his time now helps provide free meals for others.

Volunteers supporting humanitarian aid deliveries to Ukraine

Essex volunteer prepares another aid run to Ukraine and says donations still make a real difference

Kelvedon businessman Phil Billingham is preparing to drive another donated vehicle to Ukraine with Drive 2 Save Lives after seeing first-hand how aid reaches communities.

Brighton RNLI lifeboat and volunteer crew

Brighton RNLI is looking for eight new volunteers to help save lives at sea

Brighton RNLI is recruiting six volunteer lifeboat crew members and two launch authorities as its station continues responding around the clock to incidents off the Sussex coast.

Volunteers supporting Age UK North Worcestershire

Age UK North Worcestershire asks for just a few hours a month to help older people locally

Age UK North Worcestershire is recruiting volunteer mentors and fundraisers, with some roles requiring as little as two or three hours a month.

Volunteers working on the Derventio Housing Trust garden and support space

Volunteers help Derbyshire homelessness project grow its garden and support space

A team from Places for People’s Thrive training centre has spent a day improving Derventio Housing Trust’s Growing Lives project in Ilkeston.

Cromer RNLI volunteer Kate Roberts

Cromer RNLI volunteer shows there is more than one way to help save lives at sea

Kate Roberts now holds five volunteer roles at Cromer RNLI and is encouraging people with different skills and interests to find a place in the station team.

Ulster University Belfast campus, home to Belfast School of Art

Belfast makers create ‘quilted hugs’ for young people leaving care

A collaboration between Belfast School of Art and Quilts for Care Leavers Northern Ireland is creating handmade quilts for young people moving into independent living.