Volunteering Matters

Three professionals standing indoors at a conference or expo with informational booths behind them.

Southend Family Mentors were proud to attend the International Women’s Day celebration hosted by Welcome to the UK in Southend. A great event celebrating women, community and partnership working. Find out more about volunteering on our Family Mentors page. #IWD2026

Group of people in safety vests building wooden birdhouses inside a greenhouse structure.

Today is #WorldWildlifeDay. Across Scotland, volunteers have already given 36,000+ hours this year protecting local green spaces through Action Earth. From restoring habitats to boosting biodiversity, communities are leading change. Protecting wildlife means investing in people.

Group of six people outdoors holding gardening tools, dressed warmly, standing and sitting near a garden bed with soil and plants.

Volunteering Matters has launched a 4 month employee volunteering partnership with Chevening Scholars and Plant Mcr. The first session on 25 Feb helped green Angel Square in Manchester. Scholars built skills, connections and called it restorative and refreshing.

Two young people wearing black shirts with bright yellow text reading 'The Power of Youth' and a call to join the movement on the back.

Become an #iWill Ambassador. Lead change. Shape campaigns. Raise your voice.

If you’re aged 10 to 25 and passionate about social action, this is your chance to make a difference.

Join our live Q&A on 3 March, 4.30pm to find out more.

Apply by 29 March: https://www.iwill.org.uk/be-an-ambassador/

Two men holding framed awards in front of a Catalyst Achievement Awards banner inside a brick-walled venue.

It’s a treble. We won three awards at the Catalyst Awards for the Stockton Driver Service.

Stockton Drivers – Community Impact Award
Nigel Jessop – Charity Employee of the Year
Luke Gaughan – Young Volunteer of the Year

Proud of our incredible team.

Three people standing together indoors, one holding a colourful sign that reads 'You are loved and wanted here.'

We’re proud to be one of 30 London organisations funded through the Loved & Wanted Programme. This investment will help Betaminds expand outreach in Hackney, strengthening local leadership, breaking down barriers and supporting more people to connect, contribute and thrive.

Two people standing in a school hallway holding notebooks and backpacks, engaged in conversation.

Grandmentors starts with one person showing up. Older volunteers support care-experienced young people to build confidence, improve wellbeing and move towards independence.Trusted relationships create lasting change, strengthening communities across the UK www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/grandmentors

Poster for the Seen and Heard youth strategy tour listing UK event dates and locations. Visit the website for more information.

We helped young people shape the National Youth Strategy. Now it’s time to shape it locally. Seen & Heard events across England, delivered by #iWill, bring young people and decision-makers together to turn Youth Matters into action. https://www.iwill.org.uk/youth-matters-2026-events/

Volunteering Matters encourages monthly donations to combat isolation and enhance community wellbeing.

Help us build people-powered change. Our volunteers support older people, mentor young people and strengthen communities.

A monthly donation helps us do more, where it’s needed most.

Give £3 or £10 a month today: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/donate

#PeoplePoweredChange

Four women standing indoors beside a banner promoting volunteering and community building.

📍Southend-on-Sea

People powered change in action. Our Family Mentors team met with the Evening Reflections Bereavement Group to share how volunteering supports connection, wellbeing and community.

Together, we make a bigger impact https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/mentoring/

#PowerOfVolunteering

Person sitting in the front passenger seat of a car with a view of the dashboard and infotainment system.

The MK Volunteer Drivers Service helps children and families get to vital health and support appointments. Our volunteers provide more than transport. They offer calm, caring support that makes a real difference. Learn more: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/projects

Group of people walking barefoot across hot embers during an outdoor firewalking activity on grass.

Could you walk on fire for a good cause? Join the Aberdeen Firewalk on 28 February and help raise funds for Volunteering Matters. It is safe, fun, and supports life-changing volunteering. Full training provided. Sign up today: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/challenge-events/

Just some of the 30 projects represented at @leithchooses.bsky.social on Saturday where members of the public were voting for the project they wanted to be awarded funding from the almost £50,000 available

Two kids assembling a jagged-edged cardboard structure using a glue gun in a bright room.

We’re at #LeithChooses today with our Family Supporters project. If you live, work or go to school in Leith, you can vote for us. Help families access activities they otherwise couldn’t afford. Vote from 27 Jan to 10 Feb: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/leithchooses2026/

Person wearing a black 'I love London' shirt holding a decorated cookie with colourful candies on a wooden plate indoors.

Start the year with confidence, connection and community. Match and Mentor brings people together through shared activities and support. “I am part of a safe and unique community.”
Find your place: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk #YearOfTheVolunteer #IVY2026 #PowerOfVolunteering

Group of volunteers smiling and giving thumbs up, highlighting the positive impact of their efforts.

We’ve made a big impact. In 2024/25, 12,600+ volunteers supported 11,000+ people across 87 projects. From mentoring to community action, this is the power of volunteering. Read the full Impact Report now: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk/impact #PowerOfVolunteering

Volunteering Matters encourages starting the year by exploring flexible volunteer roles that fit your schedule.

Start the year with something good. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, build confidence and make a real difference. We’ve got flexible roles that fit around your life. No experience needed, just your time and energy. Take a look and get involved www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk.

Thank you message from Volunteering Matters with group photos celebrating achievements and teamwork for 2025.

Thank you for being part of our 2025.

We launched our new strategy, celebrated 18 years of Lifelines and supported thousands through connection and volunteering. As the year ends, we’re grateful for your support. We can’t wait to see what 2026 brings.

#PowerOfVolunteering

Group of volunteers painting a black metal fence along a leafy street, wearing gloves and casual clothes.

Amazing work by our London team in 2025: 75 volunteering days, 1,043 volunteers, 6,258 hours of impact. From playgrounds to skills workshops, we delivered real change with 33 community partners. Learn more: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/employee-volunteering/

Older couple sitting closely on a beige armchair by a window with vertical blinds, holding gift bags and smiling.

Huge thanks to Dunelm Pontypridd & manager Dean for supporting our Welcome Friends project. Their festive parcels brought real joy to older people who may not get out often. Many said it meant the world. A perfect reminder that kindness is the true gift of the season.

Two people sitting closely together in a cozy room with the message 'Every Connection Counts' promoting meaningful volunteer moments.

As the year ends, we’re reminded how much people need people. From mentoring to befriending, our volunteers build real connections that change lives. Your monthly gift keeps those connections going, all year round. It starts with you.

https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/every-connection-counts/

Instructor with curly hair engaging a group of children in red uniforms seated around a table in a classroom setting.

New blog from Amanda Naylor OBE: Why the National Youth Strategy needs all of us. The new Youth Matters strategy is welcome — but civil society have a big role to play. Read more: https://ow.ly/6Qzk50XGQmF #DeliverYou #CivilSociety

Quote from Amanda Naylor, Chief Executive of Volunteering Matters, emphasizing co-creating with young people to support ambitions and remove barriers. Full quote is in the text post.

We’re proud to co-lead the #iWill Movement with UK Youth, supporting young people to shape the new Youth Matters Strategy through #DeliverYou. This is a bold step forward that puts youth leadership and fairness at the centre. Read more: https://ow.ly/ecml50XGsgf #PowerOfYouth #WhatsYourOrder

Two people dressed in Santa costumes proudly display festive medals after a holiday event at night.

Huge thanks to Amir, Fatemeh, Emily and Casey for running Santa in the City in Edinburgh for our Every Connection Counts campaign! They’ve raised over £400 to help tackle isolation. Help us do more. Donate: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/every-connection-counts #SantaInTheCity

A young person wearing a tshirt with the words 'The Power of Youth' sitting at a table with 5 other people

What a week. As #iWillWeek ends, the theme of #Joy truly resonates. From premieres to hackathons, spoken word to art trains, podcasts to youth-led action in schools, it's been inspiring. #iWill continues. Support youth-led change. Sign the Charter: www.iwill.org.uk #WhatDoYouStandFor

Two photos side by side featuring young people and people writing on flip chart

#iWillWeek starts with #Truth. Young people are speaking openly and taking action shaped by their values. Our Suffolk hackathons showed this with honest conversations and fresh ideas. Huge thanks to our ambassadors and hosts. Get involved at www.iwill.org.uk
#WhatDoWeStandFor

Three people dressed as Santa Claus posing together for a festive volunteering event in London.

Fancy lacing up your boots for a festive 4.5k through London?🎄Join #SantaInTheCity 2025 with Volunteering Matters. Run, jog or walk in a Santa suit to raise money for stronger communities. 2–4 Dec, 7pm. £32 entry | £100 fundraising > https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/vmevent/santa-in-the-city/

Quote from Zara Todd emphasizing that trustees come in diverse forms and the key role is caring about the organization, regardless of prior experience.

It’s #TrusteesWeek and we’re celebrating the amazing people who guide and support us. We’re recruiting new Trustees to shape the future of volunteering. Zara says: “Trustees come in all different shapes and sizes. It doesn't matter if you have been a trustee before.” www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Person wearing a black shirt stands beside bold text declaring support for community during #iWill Week 2025 campaign.

#iWill Week (17–21 Nov) is nearly here and we’re proud to stand with young people leading change. This year we ask: what do you stand for?

We’re celebrating youth social action and hosting hackathons across Suffolk.

Get involved > www.iwill.org.uk

#iWillWeek #WhatDoYouStandFor #PowerOfYouth

Group of people standing behind a table with a purple cloth that reads 'Volunteering Matters' and an informational display board about family mentoring.

We’re proud to share that our Family Mentors in Southend have received the High Sheriff of Essex Award! This recognition celebrates the everyday care, commitment and kindness our volunteers bring to local families. Discover the power of mentoring: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/mentoring