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Volunteers Week 2025

 

💡 What Is Volunteers’ Week?

Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of the power and impact of volunteering, taking place every year during the first week of June. Now in its 41st year, it’s a time for charities and community organisations across the UK to shine a spotlight on volunteers — the people who give their time, skills, and energy to make a difference. It’s also a moment to raise awareness of volunteering more widely, to share stories, say thank you, and inspire more people to get involved.

 

💌 What’s #AnRDAInvitation all about?

This year, alongside celebrating our incredible RDA volunteers, we’re inviting every group to take part in #AnRDAInvitation — a simple, community-focused campaign to help more people discover what RDA is all about.

We know that personal connection matters — it’s one of the most effective ways to recruit new volunteers. In fact, research across the UK and beyond shows that up to 60% of new volunteers get started because someone they know personally invited them.

That’s the power of an invitation.

That’s why this year, we’re encouraging every RDA group to say thank you — and to invite someone new.

Whether it’s a friend, family member, colleague, or neighbour, one simple ask can spark a journey into volunteering… and a lifelong connection with RDA.

 

🟢 Why take part?

Even if someone doesn’t become a volunteer right away, you’re planting seeds. Here’s other ways it can help:

  • Raise awareness of what your RDA group does within your local area 

  • Help new people discover volunteering in a relaxed, welcoming way

  • Strengthen your local presence

  • Develop your pool of long-term supporters 

 

🟡 What could it look like?

  • A thank-you social for your volunteers — after a session at the yard or at a local venue

  • Invite them to bring someone new along — a friend, neighbour, or colleague

  • An online campaign to reach new audiences

  • Make it relaxed, welcoming, and social — no pressure to sign up, just come along and see what we’re about

  • Share stories from existing volunteers about how they got involved

 

🔍 Why it works

  • đź’¬ It’s based on evidence: National and international research, along with volunteer trends, consistently show that most people get involved in volunteering because someone asked them to.

  • 🧩 It’s simple and flexible: You can do as much or as little as works for your group or Region — from a casual gathering to a more public event.

  • 🧡 It builds community: It’s a natural way to introduce people to the warmth, connection and purpose of the RDA experience.

  • 🚀 It supports recruitment: Even a small informal gathering could lead to new volunteers, supporters or connections in your local area.

 

🧰 What’s available to help?

We’ve created a range of ready-to-use, pick-and-mix resources to help your group take part. Whether you want to thank your current volunteers, invite new people in, or simply raise awareness, our complete Volunteers’ Week toolkit is here to help.

 

🌟 Your Complete Volunteers’ Week Toolkit 🌟

We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and invite new people into the RDA family. Just follow a few simple steps — we’ve provided everything you’ll need to make the week a success!

 

What’s included in the Toolkit:

  • 📢 Social Media Copy
    • Just copy, paste, and share! Customisable captions to thank your volunteers and invite others to join – just personalise for your group. 
  • 📸 Images & Graphics 
    • Download and use our Volunteers Week images to spread the word and say thank you. 
  • 🌟 Certificates
  • đź“© Invitation Template
    • A ready-made email and message to send to members of your group, encouraging them to get involved. 
  • đź“ťSay thank you on the RDA Volunteer Thank You Wall
    • Give your group volunteers a public shout-out! Leave a personal message of thanks on our online Volunteer Thank You Wall — a public space to celebrate the incredible people who make RDA what it is.
    • Or print off this poster to display around your group or Centre, so participants, families, carers, teachers, and the wider RDA community can leave their own messages too!

Want to find out more? Visit the office Volunteers Week Website here.

✨ Get Started

Explore the full toolkit, use as much or as little as suits your group, download what you need, and help us make this Volunteers’ Week a moment to remember.

#RDAVolunteersWeek |#AnRDAInvitation | #VolunteersWeek

 

 

 

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2025