Author: Annabelle Pelster

All the challenges of the last few years has, from my perspective and rather counter-intuitively, generated a sense of ambition within the Voluntary and Community Sector that also motivates volunteers. Respect for and contribution to local communities is now wider, it is more action orientated and has more traction then that bygone age called 2019.

Looking at Kingston as a borough, how it performed, came together, responded to challenges since 2020 (lock downs, needs, vaccinations, new levels of poverty previously hidden etc.) gives us a clear picture on how important it is to maintain and build on the partnerships and successes of our collective work. That includes the volunteer experience. To get there I have been “Horizon Scanning” and now lay out a wish list that reflects the importance of always thinking forward. However first, a caveat: this list is what a possible future could look like albeit relying heavily on reasonable funds, resources and partnerships (and the Kingston Volunteer Strategy to also guide us) to make it a reality and success. The purpose of promoting these possibilities is to put then out there front and centre  and stimulate alternative suggestions.

• Hubs, e.g. in pubs/shops/community spaces. Take a model of community space as promoted in the 2021 report on Surbiton Resilience “Every-day life in Surbiton” and replicate where practicable across the borough. Volunteers are attracted to helping in their micro-local locations, this would be a brilliant stimulus to that.

• Food Hero’s. Embed the foodbank street collection system that sprung up locally during the last 6 years into the fabric of the borough so that it survives and thrives going forward.

• Time-bank/Skills exchange. Create a borough wide system with focus on stimulating volunteering in women whose first language is not English. This would both increase volunteering numbers and be a massive boon to the volunteer experience of a significantly socially isolated part of our community.

• “Friends of” groups. Expand existing groups for parks/open land/under-utilised green spaces, which is being demonstrated by successful models in other localities. Friends of groups tend to tap into individuals not engaged in their communities already.

• Sports. Bringing together a range of volunteer led sporting activities/clubs under one banner that stimulates physical activity. Sports volunteering could add so much positive value to public health campaigns. This model could equally apply to the local smaller arts and culture groups.

• A social action portal. Create a web-based interface that advertises all social action activities locally no matter how small/micro in nature. This would be really helpful in attracting younger people to activities.

This list is not definitive, as they say “other pipedreams are available” but I commend them to your thinking if, like us at Volunteering Kingston, re-imaging the Volunteer Experience is important to you.

June 2026.

National Volunteers Week is always an opportunity to reflect on trends. Over the last couple seven years Voluntary Sector professionals, especially those working in Volunteer Services, have reflected how in the post pandemic world there had been a seismic shift in registrations away from “time-rich” volunteers and towards younger volunteers. That phenomenon was partly explained by health worries from the older volunteers but equally importantly a new wave of enthusiasm for supporting the community from the younger end of the volunteering spectrum. This introduces a plethora of mediums we are able to use to communicate effectively with young people. Whether it is school assemblies, Fresher’s Fairs, the usual social media avenues or the latest apps, young people have never been as accessible as they are today.

Face to face still has its place; we know from experience that visits to local schools how the registration numbers rocketed in the days following that outreach. Not only do our team enjoy presenting to a Sixth Form assembly they also appreciate the feedback they get. Volunteering, as an experience, has to evolve constantly to the changing world we live in. On the digital side, the excellent work of our team ensures we maximise our reach and that effort is demonstrated by the profiles we receive. If there is a new digital app on the block we should take advantage of it, the days of Twitter/X and Facebook domination are long over.

Young people want more control over their time; the trend is towards bite-sized volunteering that makes a difference on the ground. Dozens of administration roles on our Team Kinetic base do not interest younger volunteers so volunteer centres need a full range of opportunities to entice applications to succeed with this cohort. Similarly, Saturday shifts at a charity shop, whilst useful for those looking to experience work environments for the first time, are not always attractive to these energetic young volunteers.

Meanwhile at the other end of the spectrum, yes, the numbers have declined from pre-Covid days, but what we do find is those from the retired/semi-retired bracket that stay involved in volunteering bring with them extensive and helpful experience. The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is blessed with those whose experience in significant work environment are able to bring that experience to bear for the benefit of the community.

Equally important is the way that older volunteers can also positively impact the younger volunteers by the nature of shared interaction of volunteering. Role models, mentors or just old hands, call them what you will, what the turn into for young people is a font of knowledge. When the combination of youthful exuberance and older experience combine the gain for volunteering and voluntary organisations is clear and tangible.

Thank you to all our young and older volunteers.

Kumuna Kamasoh, Volunteer Officer, Volunteering Kingston.

Wishing you a wonderful first day of National Volunteers Week! To celebrate, Volunteering Kingston has prepared some downloadable thank you cards, for you to send to a volunteer you believe should be proud of their efforts.

This year, as in every year, National Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June) coincides, because it falls in the month of June, with the dedication to celebrating communities that is Communities Month. Those celebrations are as important as ours are in the volunteering services arena.  

National Volunteers’ Week in 2026 should be all about reconnecting with communities. If ever there was a proper time to say well done, to volunteers and the groups that come together in our communities, it is here and now. The contribution of volunteers has ensured our society remains functioning over the past couple of decades of our society’s peaks and troughs. 

The thought of celebrating may not be appealing right now, while the demand for foodbanks keeps reaching a new peak, being positive whilst millions of displaced people continue look for safety and with money in the Voluntary Sector remaining as tight as ever. Personally, whilst I understand this thinking, I believe greater hurdles calls for a greater need for reconnecting. June 2026 and the joint approach of National Volunteers Week and Communities Month is such an occasion. 

Volunteering Kingston, and volunteer services across London and the country, will be celebrating National Volunteers’ Week, in conjunction with others, to show our appreciation to volunteers who have dedicated their time and effort to support their communities, but we are also hoping to reconnect those who used to engage locally or are dipping their toes in for the first time. We are working with others to ensure the value of those who selflessly contribute continues later into the month. 

Welcome to National Volunteers Week and Communities Month 2026, Kingston style. Events will be held across June to not only mark our appreciation but to be central in strengthening bonds that bind individual volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations and the statutory sector locally, all working in local communities. Keep your eyes peeled, it will be celebratory and most importantly full of opportunities to re-engage your local community spirit. 

This week, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Staywell, an independent, award-winning charity that’s been at the heart of the community for nearly 80 years. As we approach their milestone anniversary this year, Staywell continues its incredible work supporting older people and fostering connections that enrich lives. 

Tell us a little about your organisation (what do you do, what is your mission, how long you have been active, where are you based in the borough etc):

At Staywell, our mission is to empower older people and their carers to live with independence, dignity, and a sense of community. We’re passionate about breaking down barriers and helping people embrace their full potential—whether by staying active in their homes, engaging with their neighbours or making new friends. 

With hubs in New Malden and Kingston, we offer a wide range of services including Home from Hospital and Handyperson, with holistic, evidence-based programmes tailored to the needs of our users. We believe in the power of bridging generations by engaging younger volunteers in meaningful ways in our work. 

Want to learn more? Check out our website for all the details!

Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Staywell. By giving your time, you’ll directly help improve the lives of older people, combatting isolation and fostering community spirit. 

But it’s not just about giving back—volunteering brings personal rewards, too. Research shows that volunteering boosts health and wellbeing, especially for older adults. It’s a fantastic way to: 

– Stay active and sharpen your skills after retirement or during a career break. 

– Build new skills and gain valuable experience. 

– Kickstart a new career path—many Staywell volunteers have joined our staff or moved into rewarding roles elsewhere. 

What volunteer role/s do you have available?

We have a variety of volunteer roles to match your interests and availability: 

Day Centre Volunteer: Help run activities, serve lunches, and support older adults at our day centres in New Malden and Kingston. 

Volunteer Befriender: Provide companionship to isolated older adults, either through home visits or outings to local parks, cafes, or libraries. Prefer phone-based volunteering? Join our telephone befriending service! 

Information, Advice & Guidance Volunteer: Help our team guide older adults in claiming life-changing benefit entitlements. 

Digital Volunteer: Use your organisational skills to support our marketing, publicity, and digital administrative tasks. — A whizz taking photos and videos on your phone? How about taking engaging photos for our social media and publications?

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?

At Staywell, every volunteer makes a tangible difference. You’ll find friendship, fun and the joy of being part of a warm, supportive team. Most roles require no prior experience— we provide the training you’ll need to carry out your role and ongoing support to help you succeed. 

Whether you’re looking to make new connections, explore a new path, or simply give back, there’s a role waiting for you. 

Ready to start your volunteer journey? 

If you’re inspired to support older people in your community, apply today to volunteer with Staywell. Stay connected with us on their website, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

Not sure where to start? Check out our resources page for guidance on finding the perfect volunteer opportunity for you. 

We’d love to welcome you to our team—let’s make later life a greater life together!

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Thank you very much to Staywell for completing our spotlight form. Are you interested in supporting older people in your community? Apply to volunteer at Staywell here! Alternatively, keep up with the service on their 

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here.