About the week

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which takes place on 1-7 June. It celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK.

The week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to volunteer too. Organisations hold events and activities to highlight their volunteers and the volunteering that do.

From showcasing the different volunteering roles on offer, taster sessions and team challenges with new partners, to volunteer recruitment events, awards ceremonies and launching new volunteering campaigns, hundreds of events take place throughout the country.

You can tell us about your event or find idea for activities and events in the guidance section. Everyone is invited to join this national celebration of volunteering, it's up to you to decide exactly how you join in.

A brief history

Volunteers’ Week began in 1984. Initially it was run at a local level but in order to raise greater awareness of the importance of volunteers the National Centre for Volunteering* took the lead in promoting the Week.

The planning and development of Volunteers' Week in England is now led by Volunteering England. We work in partnership with the volunteer development agencies across the UK - Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland and Volunteer Development Scotland - to shape the major themes for the Week.

*Since April 2004 the National Centre for Volunteering merged with other organisations to form Volunteering England, the new national integrated agency for volunteering in England.