Celebrate and Inspire this Volunteers Week

Stoke-on-Trent City Council will celebrate volunteers’ contributions to mark the 39th annual Volunteers Week (1-7 June 2023).

The City Council will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations in recognising volunteers’ contributions across Stoke-on-Trent.

This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate and Inspire’, which encourages people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

Danielle Atkins-Harvey, a volunteer at Hanley Park commented,

“I have been a volunteer in Hanley Park for six years.

“I come here with my son Grant who has additional needs. This gives us a sense of purpose, keeps you busy and you get to meet new people.”

Adrian Ball, a Reading Friends volunteer at City Central Library commented,

“Each week I spend about two hours with a group and we share stories and poems linked to a theme. I enjoy meeting the people who come to the groups and supporting them.”

Cllr David Williams, cabinet member for communities, education and safety said:

“The contribution of volunteers is often unseen and unrecognised by many, so taking the time out to highlight the impact of volunteering during Volunteers Week is incredibly important.

“We have volunteers in many different public services that support communities, including parks, museums, and libraries, plus different areas across the authority where people can lend a hand to do something worthwhile, giving them a sense of purpose as well as benefiting others.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in our valuable public services, please visit www.stoke.gov.uk/volunteering.