Saint Catherine's Celebrates Volunteers Week

Friday, 2 June 2023 06:00

By Matthew Pells

Saint Catherine's will be holding three events this week to celebrate the work of it's 300 volunteers.

The events are being staged as part of National Volunteers Week.

Debbie Hilton ,Community and Corporate Engagement Manager at Saint Catherine’s says the efforts of the volunteers are vitally important to the organisation.

2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week, and Saint Catherine’s will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’, they hope to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

Debbie says:

"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 celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important."

Saint Catherine’s currently has over 300 volunteers contributing in a variety of roles across the organisation, including in its shops, gardens, in-patient unit, fundraising offices, kitchens and more. By giving their time freely, their contribution to the organisation is worth around £1 million a year – but to the charity they are priceless.

This Volunteers’ Week Saint Catherine’s will be celebrating their volunteers, by holding three events at the hospice site, where individuals will be recognised for long service and permanent staff will be giving personal thanks.

Debbie Hilton says says the afternoon tea get-togethers are a small way of saying thank you.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Saint Catherine’s, the charity can be contacted on 01723 351421 or email volunteering@saintcatherines.org.uk

Local businesses are being asked to help support Saint Catherine's through this year's Bring a Pound to Work Day event which is taking place on Tuesday July 4th. Firms can sign up at www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/poundtowork