Embargoed until 00.01 hrs
1 June 2007
Volunteering England (VE) is encouraging everyone to get their dose of “Vitamin R” for this Volunteers’ Week which starts today. Vitamin R, where the R stands for “risk”, was first coined by science guru Professor Heinz Wolff and is an essential ingredient of a successful volunteering experience, according to VE, the national development agency for volunteering.
Volunteers Week, which runs from 1-7 June and is coordinated in England by VE, presents the perfect opportunity for people to reach beyond their comfort zone and boost their confidence and skills through exposure to new experiences.
Wendy Tucker is a Peer Support Volunteer with Breast Cancer Care, the UK’s leading provider of support and information for anyone affected by breast cancer. She said:
“Gving one-to-one support as a Peer Support volunteer helps me cope with my own diagnosis and gives me strength when I’m struggling to come to terms with my illness. I would encourage anyone considering volunteering to give it a go this Volunteers’ Week – it may feel daunting at first, but the rewards you get make your time and efforts worthwhile.”
Justin Davis-Smith, deputy chief executive of Volunteering England, said:
“I would urge everyone to get a Vitamin R boost this Volunteers’ Week and try out a new volunteering activity. Whether the challenge be physical, emotional or intellectual, we can all gain by trying something new in the knowledge that not only are we contributing to the community but also helping our own personal development at the same time. “
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Case study: Wendy Tucker, 58, from Camberley, Surrey
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2004, which led to a mastectomy, six months of chemotherapy, and five weeks of radiotherapy. I found that people who were going through the same thing started coming to me informally for information and support, so I decided to become a Breast Cancer Care Peer Support Volunteer and help out on their one-to-one telephone service.
“While I was waiting for the Peer Support training to start, I was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. This is a terminal illness, although it can be controlled through palliative care.
“I went ahead with the Peer Support training for primary breast cancer patients, and then went on to the secondary Peer Support training. I wanted to do this because I had first-hand experience of how devastating it can be to have a diagnosis of breast cancer. Everyone copes with it in their own way, but we all benefit from support from someone who knows what you’re talking about.
“As well as helping other people through their own diagnosis, being a Peer Support volunteer also gives me great strength, and helps me cope with my own diagnosis. I’m talking to people in the same boat that are struggling with their diagnosis, and I know how that feels.”
Notes to Editors:
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• For further information or interviews, please contact Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932, email cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org, or Sonya Roberts on 020 7520 8965, email Sonya.roberts@volunteeringengland.org. For our of hours press enquiries, contact Sonya Roberts on 07952 128 057
• For more information about volunteering or peer support at Breast Cancer Care, visit www.breastcancercare.org.uk or call the help line on 0808 800 6000
• Breast Cancer Care has been working for over 30 years to make a difference in the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We provide accurate, easy to understand information as well as practical and emotional support. We are the only charity working across the UK to provide these services. Every year we receive almost two million requests for support and information through our services including our helpline, website, publications, person to person support and health promoting activities, all of which are offered free. We are committed to campaigning for better treatment and support for people with breast cancer and their families.
• Visit www.volunteersweek.org.uk for more information on Volunteers’ Week 2007, including details of events, volunteering opportunities and discussion boards.
• Volunteering England works to promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for those who volunteer and for the wider community. For further information go to www.volunteering.org.uk or call 0845 305 6979.
• Volunteering England recently published a report on Volunteering and risk management, which found that many potential volunteers were put off through fear of being sued if an activity they were involved in went wrong. It has published a toolkit for organizations that involve volunteers to minimize the risk of litigation. To download a fre copy of the toolkit and read the accompanying press release, visit: www.volunteering.org.uk/risk
• Over half the population in England volunteers: In 2205, 68% of people (27.4 million) volunteered informally, while 44% (or 17.9 million) volunteered formally. (source: 2005 DCLG Citizenship Survey). For more statistics, including sports, youth, workplace and the health benefits of volunteering, please contact Cat Dean.
