Volunteers’ Week 2023: Celebrate and Inspire

2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when Healthwatch Trafford will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we hope to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important.

This Volunteers’ Week, Healthwatch Trafford want to thank their 30 volunteers for all their immense hard work providing support at outreach events and assessments, participating in and promoting our research, representing us in a number of groups, and the general business support that many take part in from home. It's been a challenging few years with many face-to-face activities being paused, and we really appreciate the patience and flexibility our volunteers have afforded us. 

Here are a few words from one of our team: 

1. What was your motivation for starting to volunteer? I want to help people.

2. How has your volunteer role benefitted you personally? Volunteering gives me a purpose.

3. What difference do you think you have made through volunteering? I hope my work helps, inspires, encourages and supports others.

4. In 3 words sum up what volunteering means to you: Rewarding, purposeful and involved.

5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering volunteering? Give to a go!