“We are with you”, is a volunteering campaign from Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services in partnership with Connecting Carmarthenshire.
We are with you to help you find, and experience, the joys of volunteering... and there is plenty of it to be found..
Remote volunteering can offer a way into recruitment for people who would find volunteering in person challenging. This could be due to time or health reasons, for example. However, digital exclusion, a lack of access to technology and low levels of digital skills or confidence can all limit people’s access to online volunteering opportunities.
CAVS’ community events throughout Volunteers’ Week this year are supporting the ‘We are with you’ campaign. As a volunteer recruitment campaign, it is a means to raise the profile of volunteering across Carmarthenshire, whilst we champion citizen’s, communities, and charities/local groups. This is a dynamic relationship of vital parts which combine to support the whole of the county.
Volunteering enhances what we already have - our core strengths and abilities, our passions and ideas, our knowledge and fascinations. Volunteering supports our sense of community, our dedication to friends and neighbours and it utilises our biggest commodity of ‘time’ to complement and enhance these very desires.
Jamie Horton - Community Volunteering Development Officer - CAVS
Volunteers' Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities. Join us this year to celebrate and inspire!
Volunteering is fun and it’s a good way of getting involved with something you’re passionate about.
It's also a great way to make new friends!
Sandra Williams - Business Operations Officer - CAVS
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.
Volunteers’ Week was first established in 1984, by what was then known as Volunteering England.
This year we’re excited to be celebrating the 40th anniversary, from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 June.
An estimated 14.2m people in the UK volunteered through a group, club or organisation in 2021/22.
It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, and boost your confidence.
Volunteering locally is a great way to create change and connect with others
Volunteers are the lifeblood of voluntary and community organisations in 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.
Show your appreciation and thank your volunteers through social media to publicly celebrate the work they do
Recognise your volunteers with certificates and thank you cards, or gifts
Share your volunteering story telling others about what volunteering means to you and how it impacts others. Whether it’s the feel-good factor or gaining new skills and experiences. Share your story in social media using the hashtag #VolunteersWeek.
Share profiles of volunteers, including quotes, throughout Volunteers’ Week through social media and newsletters
Wellbeing walks with a refreshment venue at the end so those unable to participate can still be involved
Use reels on Instagram and Facebook to bring testimonials to life
Use social media to share first hand experiences through volunteer videos and testimonials
Let’s champion the remarkable role of charities and volunteers.
CAVS provide learning and development opportunities to enhance the skills, behaviours and knowledge of trustees, staff and volunteers in third sector organisations in Carmarthenshire.
Connecting Carmarthenshire – The platform for connecting and supporting each other in Carmarthenshire.
Check out the ‘help out’ options available.
CAVS Volunteer Centre strives to encourage volunteering in Carmarthenshire by:
Promoting the virtues and benefits of volunteering to the individual
Working with organisations to ensure they are ready to involve volunteers
Helping to ensure the necessary policies and procedures are in place
Promoting and aiding with volunteer recruitment
Whether it’s sorting out donations to a food bank, planting bulbs in a community garden or providing a kind, listening ear to someone in need, volunteers are both incredible and extremely important. Of all the reasons to volunteer, most people say they do so because they want to help others.
CAVS have set up a new online learning portal for volunteering, where you will be able to take our Free online courses in your own time. There are courses for people looking to volunteer or who are already volunteering as well as for organisations who involve volunteers. There are also courses on confidence, confidentiality, staying safe and Connect to Kindness
Millions of people take part every June to cheers volunteers, connect with their neighbours, welcome refugees, support carers, raise awareness of loneliness, or simply to say thank you.
The kindness of selfless volunteers helps charities and communities flourish.
All across the United Kingdom, there are thousands of community projects which simply could not exist without the amazing support, skills and time given by volunteers.
