WHAT IS VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK?
2024 marks the 40th year of Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June), when British Naturism joins thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. It is also an opportunity to inspire more people to make a difference. So we hope to encourage you and others to get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for you.
Volunteers’ Week was first established in 1984 so this this year we’re excited to be celebrating the 40th anniversary. Volunteers’ Week was previously celebrated from the 1-7 June each year but from 2024 it’ll commence on the first Monday of June, which this year happens to be Monday 3 to Sunday 9 June.
This year Volunteers’ Week will culminate in The Big Help Out, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June, where people across the UK will get the chance to experience a range of volunteer taster sessions. Within BN we are holding our own BIG Help Out at British Naturism: Sunfolk with Work Party volunteers helping to get the site ready for its re-opening later in June.
This year is also the 60th anniversary of British Naturism and to celebrate that we are running Challenge 60, with one of the diamond challenges being to volunteer with BN for 60 hours. There are other challenges too that involve volunteering, such as organising local events and celebrations.
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 recognise, celebrate and thank our incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our community, as well as the voluntary sector and society as a whole, has never been more important.
Volunteers' Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our 380 volunteers make in terms of their time; the energy, skills and knowledge they contribute; and the important roles they play in:
- enabling the organisation to function and deliver its services;
- developing, enabling and supporting opportunities for people to practise a naturist lifestyle;
- promoting understanding and acceptance of the practice and benefits of naturism.
Volunteers’ Week is about celebrating and thanking those who give up their time to make a difference. Whether you’re a volunteer yourself or someone who appreciates the work our volunteers do, here's how you can mark Volunteers Week.
Each day we will publish a separate post about some of our key volunteer roles, thanking those that are part of the team and telling you about any opportunities we have for similar roles. Look out for additional mentions of Volunteers’ Week in our news pages on the BN website, in the E-Zine and on our social media channels.
BECOMING A VOLUNTEER
Want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Volunteers’ Week is a great time to find out more.
There are all kinds of volunteering roles and short term or micro volunteering assignments you could do.
To find out more about British Naturism’s volunteering programme see the volunteering pages on our website.
To register as a BN volunteer, or to register your interest in volunteering with British Naturism, visit our Volunteer Connect platform, which is part of the BN website (Members Area > Volunteering > My Volunteering Profile). Alternatively, use this direct link.
It will take you less than two minutes to create your own volunteering profile (perhaps a little longer if you want to add content to the text-free boxes). Once you have completed and saved this you are registered as a BN volunteer.
When you use our Volunteer Connect platform you will be able to access guidance on becoming a volunteer (if you are new to volunteering), view our volunteering opportunities and apply for them online, manage your own contact details, download guidance, read our latest volunteering news and share your views through the BN Forum. Over time, we’ll work to provide learning opportunities and lots of interesting things to read, watch and do. As a volunteer ‘organiser’ you will be able to identify and contact others interested in volunteering.
