York Citywide Volunteering Strategy launched to support and increase volunteering

To mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation, charities from across the country will be uniting in The Big Help Out this Bank Holiday Monday to encourage more people to get involved with local projects and become a volunteer for the day. 

This national event comes at a crucial time as charities and organisations have experienced a dramatic decrease in people volunteering since the height of the pandemic.   

During the pandemic the people of York gave their time to get the city vaccinated, made daily calls to monitor symptoms and supported charities and the health and social care services to continue to help those in need. As restrictions lifted and people returned to work, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, Volunteer numbers plummeted leaving local charities and organisations struggling. 

Drew Richardson, Manager of York’s Volunteer Centre, York Volunteers commented: 

“We saw roughly 1 in 10 York residents using our service to offer their time as a Volunteer, but in the last year this has almost halved and we’ve seen really essential services delivered by charities either close down or have massive waiting lists, simply because they can’t find enough Volunteers to support the service.” 

The Big Help Out is hoped to carry on the momentum, but can one day of goodwill fix the trend? 

“For most charities and community groups, there’s not too many challenges that can be solved by people in one-day” says Drew from York Volunteers, “What they need help with requires training, and just an hour or so on an ongoing basis. So, I think those organisations involved in the Big Help Out are treating it more like a taster-session in the hope that more people step forward more long-term.” 

How do we stop this decline in Volunteering? York Volunteers, part of York CVS has collaborated with leaders and Volunteers from charities, community groups and social enterprises to see how they could work better together to make volunteering even better in the city, and to encourage more people to get involved. As a result, a Citywide Volunteering Strategy for York has been co-produced and is being launched at part of The Big Help Out on 8 March.  

“We’ve already had lots of different local good causes pledging their support. Through the Strategy we want to highlight all the amazing volunteering going on in York. Anyone can get involved as Volunteers are such a core part of York’s identity. There’s no better way to meet new people, learn new skills, get out more, and do good for your community at the same time!” 

To find volunteering opportunities across the city visit www.YorkCVS.org.uk/Volunteers or call 01904 621133 to talk to the York Volunteers team.