Volunteers at Simon Community NI will be thanked for their contribution with a series of planned initiatives this Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June.
Simon Community NI is Northern Ireland’s leading homelessness charity. With a vision of a world where everyone has a home, they help over 3,000 people each year.
Speaking of the value of volunteers, Simon Community’s Chief Executive said:
Thank you to everyone for giving your time so freely and for sharing your skills and expertise. You mean a lot to the work that we do, how we run our charity and the ways in which we support those who need our help.
Volunteers are central to the work of countless charities and other organisations. They are a valuable presence in many communities, making a difference in places as diverse as sports clubs, libraries, schools and hospitals.
Hundreds of events will be taking place across the country to mark Volunteers' Week. The annual campaign, which was established in 1984, recognises the contribution volunteers make to our communities every day.
Charities across the UK will hold events to thank volunteers and celebrate the power of volunteering to bring communities together. Last year more than 900 events took place, from awards ceremonies to tea parties and barbecues.
Volunteering facts
- In 2015, volunteering output contributed an estimated £22.6bn to the UK economy. This is equivalent to approximately 1.2% of GDP.
- In 2016/17, 19.8 million (37%) people in the UK volunteered formally at least once a year and 11.9 million (22%) of people did so at least once a month.
- There are 165,801 voluntary organisations in the UK, many of whom rely on volunteers.
- Lots of volunteering also takes place within the public and private sector. For example, there are an estimated 3 million people volunteering in health and care.
To find out more visit volunteersweek.org