Marking a Month of Volunteer Celebration
Every year Volunteers’ Week is celebrated across the UK during the first week of June. At Home-Start Cambridgeshire we are using the month of June to set aside time to more intentionally recognise and thank our volunteers for the time, care and compassion they give to families across the county.
To celebrate our volunteers, earlier this month we sent out a surprise thank you note, handwritten by a member of our team.
We’ve also invested time in speaking to some of our Home-Start volunteers, who provide vital emotional and practical support, helping parents build confidence, reduce isolation and navigate the challenges of family life. We wanted to learn more about their motivation to volunteer and what they gain from supporting our work.
Sarah, a long-time volunteer stated, “I guess it’s not about how rewarding I find volunteering, rather whether I feel I have enabled a mum or child to feel more confident in whatever one of the many very challenging circumstances families I have supported have been coping with.”
Karoline, a volunteer who joined after her youngest son went to university, said, “I have been a Primary school teacher for 30 years and Home-Start’s ethos and aims seemed so important and resonated with me. The school readiness information made me realise I could play a small part in helping some children begin school ready to learn. I have come to realise that small changes and simple advice create the biggest impact, giving hope and confidence to parents.
Meg, who has volunteered for 35 years with Home-Start Cambridgeshire, highlighted that “it has been a pleasure and a privilege getting to know some amazing parents that are trying their very best in often difficult circumstances”, and that she finds it very rewarding to give back to families.
Kirsty added, “It has been incredibly rewarding especially when I see the families that I have supported gain confidence and change their lives for the better. I know that while volunteering, I am not alone as have a great team behind me that gives me the confidence to make a difference to the families I support”.
Hayley Norfolk, CEO of Home-Start Cambridgeshire, highlighted that volunteers are central to the organisation’s work:
“Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. The support they provide to families is truly life-changing, offering reassurance, stability, and kindness at times when it is most needed. What makes the Home-Start model so special is that it is a genuine partnership, as volunteers often tell us how rewarding the experience is for them as well.”
She added that this time of the year is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the commitment of those who give their time to support others. We have some lovely social opportunities for our volunteers planned for the second part of the calendar year and the team look forward to being able to thank our volunteers for their contribution in person.
Volunteers are the foundation of Home-Start Cambridgeshire, and their dedication continues to transform lives every day. If you feel inspired to support families in your community, we would love to hear from you. By becoming a volunteer, you could be the support that helps a family thrive.
The next volunteer preparation course is scheduled for September, so if you’re interested in making a difference, you can find out more here.
