Woman standing in front of water smiling

Volunteers are the lifeblood of voluntary and community organisations in Wales.  They bring so many benefits, but recruiting and retaining volunteers means creating a positive and supportive environment.

These pages include information sheets covering a wide range of topics and advice, model policies, resources, information on grant funding and more. If you work with volunteers in Wales, or are looking to get into volunteering, then we’ve got you covered.

Volunteering Wales

Logo with the words Gwirfoddoli Cymru Volunteering Wales

Volunteering Wales is a digital volunteering platform from Third Sector Support Wales. The platform hosts hundreds of volunteering opportunities from across Wales in one place, making it easy to find and recruit volunteers – or start on your own volunteering journey.

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Resources

Category | Volunteering |

Code of practice for involving volunteers

More resources

Volunteering projects

Influencing | Volunteering |

New approach to volunteering in Wales

UK Research and Consultancy Services is supporting the co-creation of a new approach to volunteering in Wales by key volunteering stakeholders. INTRODUCTION
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Influencing | Information & support | Volunteering |

WCVA Health and Care Project

WCVA’s Health and Care Project aims to better connect the voluntary sector with the health and care system. WCVA’S HEALTH AND CARE
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Volunteering |

Helpforce Cymru

Working with Third Sector Support Wales, Welsh Government and others to develop the potential of volunteering in health and social care. On
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Latest volunteering news

Published: 04/10/24 | Categories: Training & events | Volunteering |

Trustees’ Week 2024

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Published: 23/09/24 | Categories: Information & support | Volunteering |

New report finds volunteers reduce pressure on frontline NHS staff

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Published: 02/08/24 | Categories: Information & support | Volunteering |

Report shows volunteering increases skills and confidence

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Volunteering training courses

New course dates coming soon – sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear.

Our volunteering calendar

JANUARY

St Dwynwen’s Day

25 January

St Dwynwen is the Welsh Patron saint of lovers, Wales’ very own St Valentine. On both St Dwynwen’s Day and Valentine’s Day those who #lovevolunteering share their stories on social media.

  • Hashtags: #lovevolunteering #carugwirfoddoli #cariad #santesdwynwen #dyddsantesdwynwen

FEBRUARY

St Valentine’s Day

14 February

Join the celebration of love… for volunteers. On Valentine’s Day people who love volunteering use the hashtag to share their stories or the stories inspirational volunteers.

  • Hashtags: #lovevolunteering #carugwirfoddoli

Student Volunteering Week

8-14 February

Run by the Student Volunteering Network, Student Volunteering Week highlights student volunteering and social action and the benefits for students and the projects they run.

APRIL

Microvolunteering Day

15 April

Take part in ‘bite-sized, on-demand, no commitment actions that benefit a worthy cause’ – or microvolunteering. Microvolunteering Day is an opportunity for microvolunteering platforms, organisations and individuals to demonstrate the power of microvolunteering.

JUNE

Volunteers’ Week

1-7 June

One of the most important weeks in our calendar every year, Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.

  • Hashtags: #volunteers #volunteersweek #ThankYouVolunteers #volunteer #community #charity #wythnosgwirfoddolwyr #gwirfoddolwyr #GwirfoddolwyrDiolch #gwirfoddolwr #cymuned #elusen
  • Links: volunteersweek.org, facebook.com/VolunteersWeek

Small Charity Week

14-19 June

Small Charity Week celebrates and raises awareness of the essential work of the UK’s small charity sector and everything small charities do to change the lives of people worldwide.

AUGUST

National Eisteddfod

Held during the first week of August every year, the National Eisteddfod is a celebration of the culture and language in Wales.

NOVEMBER

International Volunteer Managers Day

5 November

A day to celebrate the profession of volunteer leadership. Volunteer Managers change lives, both the lives of volunteers themselves and of those served by well-led volunteers.

Trustees’ Week

1-5 November

Trustees’ Week is an annual event to highlight trustees’ great work and draw attention to the opportunities for people from all walks of life to join in & make a difference

#iwill Week

22-26 November

#iwill week is an excellent opportunity to champion the roles young people can play in bringing communities together to solve common challenges. The #iwill campaign is supported by over 1,000 organisations across the UK and aims to make participation in social action such as volunteering, fundraising, mentoring and campaigning the norm for young people aged 10 to 20.

  • Twitter: @iwill_campaign
  • Hashtags: #iwill #byddaf #PowerOfYouth #PŵerIeuenctid
  • Links: www.iwill.org.uk

DECEMBER

International Volunteer Day

5 December

The United Nations created International Volunteer Day in 1985 to celebrate the ‘power and potential of volunteerism’. The day raises awareness of the contribution volunteers make to their communities.