VOLUNTEERS WEEK: 3 organisations that rely on volunteers

Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1^st – 7^TH of June, is a time to say thank you to the millions of people all over the UK for the contribution they make through their work. This past year has seen volunteering become a vital part of both businesses and charity operations with the challenge of Covid-19, so 2021’s Volunteers’ Week is a great time to show your appreciation.

Here, we share three foundations that benefit from the help of volunteers:

The Together Project (http://www.thetogetherproject.co.uk/) – Based in Walthamstow, the national charity is boosting wellbeing, reducing loneliness and fostering stronger, happier communities, The Together Project create joyful intergenerational experiences in music by having volunteer parents bring their children along to care homes (or more recently video calls) to solve the ‘age apartheid’ which Britain finds itself in. The charity has taken their ‘Songs and Smiles’ activities – in which both care home residents and children up to four years old sing and dance to their favourite songs – to Zoom throughout the lockdown period.

The Olive Trust (https://www.theolivetrustwales.com/) – The Olive Trust, based in Llannelli, Wales, promotes social inclusion, environmental concerns, health and wellbeing and anti-discrimination education alongside put together surplus food parcels containing fresh fruit and vegetables that can contribute to healthier diets and create healthier communities. These food banks use volunteers for their food banks, and The Olive Trust are thankful for their good work in the community, not only helping with creating food banks but also donating fresh fruit and vegetables weekly, relying on considerable donations.

Muscle Help Foundation (https://www.musclehelp.com/) – The Muscle Help Foundation, based in Buntingford, Hertfordshire,  is an award-winning national charity set up to provide unique experiences in the UK for children and young people with muscular dystrophy. Their tribe is vital to achieving their 657 transformational Muscle Dream experiences for children, young people and their families! Their Muscle Warriors are volunteers across the UK who are the lifeblood of the charity, doing whatever it takes to raise vital funds so that they can deliver many more Muscle Dreams.