Volunteers’ Week 1 – 7 June2026
This year’s Volunteers’ Week is just around the corner and we have a series of events taking place across the week.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. To mark Volunteers’ Week we’ll be sharing lots of information and resources throughout the week, promoting the positive impacts of volunteering, and we’ll be hosting the following events:
27 May - VCSE Training: How to Best Utilise Student Volunteers in York
Learn how to effectively engage and support student volunteers in York’s VCSE sector
We are excited to offer this training session on how to maximise the potential of student volunteers within your organisation.
This session is ideal for anyone in York’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector who wants to better understand the dynamics of student volunteering. It will provide key insights into the opportunities and challenges of working with students from York St John University and the University of York.
Training Content: This session, led by Jonny Stansfield from York CVS, Ben Rickett from York St John, and Jacqui Fountain from the University of York will help organisations:
- Understanding the Volunteer Landscape in York
- Aligning Volunteer Opportunities with Student Interests
- Flexible and Inclusive Volunteering Opportunities
- Effective Training and Support
- Creating a Structured Volunteer Program
- Building Partnerships with Universities
- Leveraging Technology and Social Media
- Measuring and Communicating Impact
Eligibility:
This training is free and open to VCSE sector organisations based and operating in York.
Contact details:
For more information about this training, please contact the York Volunteers Centre team at York CVS via [email protected].
1 June - Supported Volunteering - Find out more about how we can help you volunteer
Supported Volunteering – Find out more about how we can help you volunteer
Monday 1 June, 2pm – 3pm, Priory Street Centre, York
Join us at the Priory Street Centre to explore how we can support your volunteering journey. Whether you’re new to volunteering or haven’t volunteered for some time, new to the area or want to get more involved, we can help you navigate becoming a volunteer.
2 June - York Citywide Quality Mark drop-in sessions
An opportunity to chat with Sadie and Jonny to explore how your organisation can apply to the York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark.
The York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark recognises organisations that are providing high quality volunteering opportunities and experiences, demonstrating consistent best practice in volunteer recruitment, support, inclusion, and management. It helps potential volunteers know that they can expect a positive experience when volunteering with your organisation.
Has your organisation coonsidered applying, would you like to find out more first? Join us in person at the York Citywide Volunteering Quality Mark Drop In! It’s an informal opportunity to find out how you can earn the Quality Mark for your organisation. If you have questions about the application process, would like help to asses how ready your organisaion is, or would like support with specific parts of the application this is the perfect opportuity to talk it through.
Drop-in sessions available from 1pm – 3pm at the Priory Street Centre.
3 June - Find out more about volunteering - information session
Volunteering Information Session – offering asylum seekers, refugees and recent migrants an opportunity to find out more about what volunteering is and how they can start volunteering.
1:30pm at St. Sampson’s Centre, Church St. York, YO1 8BE
3 June - Volunteer Management Forum - Volunteers' Week Special
Wednesday 3 June, 10:30am – 12:30pm, Priory Street Centre, York
A special VMF for Volunteer Managers and those in York’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector who work with volunteers.
This event is designed for individuals with volunteer management responsibilities within York’s Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. It will take place on 3 June 2026 at the Priory Street Centre in York.
The forum offers a valuable opportunity to:
- Discuss challenges and issues affecting the volunteer management sector.
- Share experiences and learn from others managing volunteers in York’s VCSE sector.
- Network and exchange ideas in a supportive environment.
Forum Agenda:
- Supported Volunteering: This forum will focus on sharing information about the Supported Volunteering Project and it’s work in partnership with the Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs. Discussions will include how we can work together to support volunteers and ensure local volunteering opportunitites are accessible, as well as the benefits of Mental Halth First Aid Tranining for staff and volunteers.
- York CVS Volunteering Project Updates: This forum will include updates on the Diversity in Volunteering and Quality Mark projects.
- Sector Discussions: Each forum includes updates on volunteer management trends and news, opportunities to ask questions, and discussions around sector challenges.
- Worry Monster Session: Submit your concerns or questions anonymously to be discussed as a group.
The event takes place over lunch, so feel free to bring your own. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Venue and Accessibility:
The forum will be held at the Priory Street Centre. For details about the venue, including accessibility information and nearby parking, visit our Venue Website.
Eligibility:
This free event is open to individuals with volunteer management responsibilities within VCSE groups based in York, UK.
Contact Us:
For questions or suggestions, contact the York Volunteer Centre at Volunteering@YorkCVS.org.uk.
if you have questions about the supported volunteering project please feel free to contact Sadie Harvey at [email protected]
4 June - Supported Volunteering - Find out more about how we can help you volunteer
Thursday 4 June, 2pm – 3pm, Gateway Church, Acomb
Come along to find out how we can help you find, try, access, or keep going with volunteering, here in York.
Ready to volunteer?
If you have any questions about how we can support you to find a voluntary role, or about how we can support your VCSE organisation to recruit volunteers, please get in contact with our team.
Email: [email protected]