As Volunteers’ Week approaches, organisations across Wales are preparing to celebrate the contributions of volunteers in health and social care.
Whether it’s providing companionship in care homes, guiding patients through hospital corridors, supporting people with mental health needs, or helping out in local community hubs, volunteers are at the heart of care.
These everyday acts of kindness build stronger, healthier communities across Wales.
VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST: MARKING A MILESTONE
This year, Velindre University NHS Trust is celebrating one year since volunteers returned to its Cancer Centre after the pandemic. Thanks to a grant from WCVA, the volunteer programme was relaunched and expanded faster than planned. Over the past 12 months, volunteers have given more than 4,000 hours of service, bringing comfort and strength to patients and staff alike. The Trust will honour their efforts with thank-you messages, shared stories, and a special coffee morning with Trust leadership.
BRINGING ROBIN VOLUNTEERS TOGETHER
At Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, a series of regional celebration events will bring together their valued Robin Volunteers to say thank you and offer the chance to share stories and build connections, with previous gatherings receiving heart-warming feedback. ’It was a lovely idea… I absolutely look forward to every shift I do,’ shared Paul M. Linda added, ’It was a lovely get together and a great opportunity to meet other enthusiastic Robins.’
Health boards, local authorities, and voluntary-sector organisations are planning events, thank-you campaigns, and spotlight stories that highlight the many ways volunteers contribute.
A NATIONAL WEEK OF THANKS AND INSPIRATION
Volunteers’ Week is not only a time to reflect on what’s been given, it’s also a chance to inspire new people to get involved.
Whether you are a long-time volunteer or considering volunteering for the first time, this week is a time to celebrate community, care, and connection. Let’s take a moment to thank all the volunteers who give so much and recognise the difference they make every day.
MESSAGES OF THANKS
HYWEL DDA UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the unwavering commitment of our selfless volunteers. Your commitment to improving the patient experience through befriending, gardening and many other roles is inspiring. Our volunteers are the unsung heroes of our community, offering their time, energy and compassion to make a difference to the lives of others every single day. Thank you.
We are thrilled to be celebrating our incredible volunteers across the counties with events on each hospital site. We will come together with tea and cake, to toast the remarkable contributions of our volunteers, recognising their invaluable service. Additionally, our Chair, Dr Neil Wooding, has written a letter to our volunteers highlighting the profound impact they make every day to the lives of others.
SWANSEA BAY UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
Volunteers’ week is the ideal time to put a spotlight on the amazing work that our volunteers do across the health board. We wholeheartedly thank them for all that they do and are constantly in awe of their dedication and commitment. They enhance patient experience daily by going the extra mile and providing those little things that mean so much, when patients and families need it most.
As part of the celebrations, we invite members of our executive team to get involved in ’Valuing Volunteers’.
We have been running this activity for a number of years during volunteers’ week and found it to be a great success. It gives members of the senior leadership team the chance to see the invaluable impact volunteers can have on patient experience by undertaking the role themselves, as well as watching the volunteers in action. Volunteering alongside members of the executive team helps to make volunteers feel valued and heard.
We also hold coffee and cake events throughout the week which gives us the opportunity to say thank you.
CWM TAF UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
We would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of our hospital volunteers. The dedication and commitment shown is honourable and the time they give to support our patients, families, carers and staff is without doubt a selfless act. This makes a huge difference in enhancing a patients experience and complements the work of our staff. Thank you to all of our hospital volunteers
Volunteers’ Week plans:
- Promoting volunteers, volunteer stories, volunteering projects, current volunteering opportunities, volunteer photographs and updates
- Catching up with volunteers for a cuppa and chat
- Promoting the wonderful support and difference our volunteers make via promotional articles and newsletters
- Sharing an interview with local radio station broadcast by volunteer service and volunteer mentor on social media and volunteer webpage
CARDIFF & VALE UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to every single one of our volunteers. Their generosity, commitment, and dedication are truly invaluable. Their efforts bring immense value to everything we do. The compassion and positivity they share are central to our mission, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication.
This year for Volunteers’ Week we are highlighting the Power of Volunteering. We are sharing videos, messages of thanks, and volunteer stories across our social media platforms. This will include a thank you message from CEO Suzanne Rankin, Chair Charles Janczewski and Assistant Director of Patient Experience Angela Hughes, as well as a reading of a special poem.
We are ending the week with our Annual Volunteer Thank You Event where recognition will be given, cake will be had, and we will thank the volunteers. The event is an opportunity for volunteers to meet each other, socialise and celebrate as well as highlight their achievements throughout the past 12 months.
ANEURIN BEVAN UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers, third sector and voluntary organisations that support our patients, their loved ones and staff across the Health Board. Thank you for your incredible dedication, unwavering commitment and generosity. Your time, energy, and compassion make a lasting impact, and we are truly grateful for everything you do
For Volunteers week we will be visiting 10 sites across Gwent for a cuppa and a cake to say thank you to our volunteers.
FURTHER INFORMATION
National Volunteers Week resources