Thank you to all our incredible volunteers!
This week (1st – 7th June) marks the annual Volunteers Week. Although we will be celebrating it under very different circumstances to previous years, we want to shout out about the fantastic people who volunteer for us.
Each year, more than 100 volunteers support us by helping in our charity shops, shaking collection tins, supporting our fundraising team at head office, cheering our challenge event participants on and volunteering with our partner charity services. To each and every one of you, we want to say a huge THANK YOU. At the heart of the Vision Foundation, you will find our volunteers and we are incredibly grateful to them all for joining us in our mission to empower London’s visually impaired community.
Although lockdown has meant that most of our volunteering activities have had to stop for the time being, many Vision Foundation volunteers have reached out to our amazing partner organisations to lend a hand. From joining telephone befriending schemes to helping deliver groceries and essential medicines, our volunteers have shown incredible compassion and dedication at this difficult time. Find out more about volunteering during Covid-19.
Five reasons to volunteer with the Vision Foundation
One of the most positive things to come out of the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown is the coming together of communities to help one another. Over 10 million people in the UK have joined the volunteer army, many of whom had never volunteered before.
If you would like to start volunteering with the Vision Foundation, you can find out more on our volunteering page. And if you need a little more convincing, here are some reasons to get volunteering!
- Making friends
Our charity shops are at the heart of their communities. Christine, who’s been volunteering with us for two years, says the best bit about volunteering is being around other people. “Getting to know the staff and the other volunteers – they end up as friends.” - It’s good for your mind and soul
You get as much out of volunteering as you put in, and Vision Foundation volunteer Gavin knows all about that. After quitting his high-flying life as a City banker, he now fits volunteering in our shops around looking after his daughter. He says there’s always so much laughter and fun in the shops and that he gets a real sense of wellbeing from volunteering. - Keeps you active
Studies have found that volunteering helps you stay healthy as you often walk and move around more and it keeps your brain active. - It gives you a sense of purpose
Many volunteers join us when they are at a crossroads in their life. Tony started volunteering in 2014 when his husband died unexpectedly. “I can’t give money, but I can give my time, and I get so much back from it too.” He wakes up on his shop days thinking “Oh, I get to see Susan [the shop manager] today!” - Developing valuable work skills
By supporting our Head Office staff our volunteers gain invaluable office skills to help them in their future careers and well as helping to build confidence.
