Today saw the official launch of the Kingston Volunteer Strategy, taking place this morning (Thursday 5 June 2025 at The Studio, Tolworth Recreation Centre). This exciting event is a key feature of our local National Volunteers’ Week 2025 and Communities Month celebrations.
Developed through two years of collaboration, the Kingston Volunteer Strategy—alongside its Four-Year Plan—sets out a shared vision for strengthening the volunteering experience across the borough. It represents the collective efforts of partners from the voluntary, community, faith and public sectors, all working together to recognise, support, and grow volunteering in Kingston.
At the launch, we heard directly from volunteers about their journeys, as well as from key leaders shaping the Strategy. Speakers included Cllr Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council, Sarah Ireland, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council, Sanja D Kane, Chief Executive, Kingston Voluntary Action and myself, Sarah Whitby, Community and Environmental Services Operations Manager, Groundwork London.
Copies of the full Strategy, the abridged Strategy and the Four-Year Plan 2025-29 can be found here: Kingston Volunteer Strategy.
The collaborative effort to create the Kingston Volunteering Strategy has generated a sense of ambition to grow, nurture and support volunteering. Respect for and contribution to local communities is now wider, it is more action-orientated and has more traction than previously. We look forward to 2029 and this Strategy cementing that sense of ambition.
Sarah Whitby. Communities Operations Manager, Groundwork London (for Volunteering Kingston).
National Volunteers Week 2025 closes today and has been a tremendous success, and here at Volunteering Kingston, we are constantly reminded of the invaluable contributions of volunteers. We believe in spreading this celebratory spirit to all organizations engaging with their communities. That is why we are thrilled to support and promote the upcoming Celebrating Communities in Kingston event, set to take place on Thursday, June 26th, at the vibrant All Saints Church in Kingston, from tbc to tbc.
The Celebrating Communities in Kingston event, inspired by the previous Big Thank You gathering and Discovering Volunteering events, is designed for everyone eager to explore local volunteering opportunities and express gratitude to those already making a difference. This event is a collaborative effort with partners like The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Kingston Hospital, Kingston University, Kingston Voluntary Action and many others, all contributing to its planning. With such fantastic support, we hope to welcome a remarkable number of residents to join in on the festivities.
Volunteering in your community isn’t just for National Volunteers Week or Communities Month, it’s 27/7/365. Whether is supporting Kingston 2025 this summer or the Kingston Carnival in September, whether its planning for supporting people in crises at Xmas or contributing to the all year round battle against homelessness, the work and the need goes on. Here at Volunteering Kingston we are proud that the Kingston Volunteer Strategy launched on June 5th will help shape the future of volunteering locally but we remain fully aware it’s the volunteers and the communities of Kingston that give an they remain the ultimate hero’s.
Michael Green – Projects Manager – Volunteering Kingston.
My colleagues at Volunteering Kingston asked me if I would like to contribute to their National Volunteers’ Week activity. As someone overseeing similar work in Volunteering Barnet, I was very happy oblige. I’ve decided to share some thoughts on something that I am passionate about – inclusivity in volunteering.
You may recall and have seen a programme, from a few years ago, on the BBC called “Then Barbara met Alan”, which powerfully explored the history of the disability rights movement in the UK and the phrase ‘Nothing about us without us’. It highlighted the importance of choice and control for Disabled people and the less-than-helpful attitudes that society can often have towards disability. National Volunteers’ Week is an ideal opportunity to challenge barriers to volunteering and to champion that volunteering should be open to everyone. Inclusion in volunteering is something we should all take interest in.
Figures from our volunteer services – Volunteering Kingston and Volunteering Barnet – tell us that approximately 13% of our registered volunteers are Disabled, or require additional support. That is a significant number of volunteers who are excited to give their time to support a local community or cause. If you think of Disabled volunteers as a community of people with one set of needs, you would be missing a range of talents, enthusiasm and perspectives. Of course, Disabled people volunteer for as many different reasons as non-disabled people; and people’s experiences are just as varied. A Disabled volunteer could be:
· A teenager with a learning disability looking for work experience.
· An autistic parent who wants to use their perspective to help families with autistic children.
· A wheelchair-using CEO who wants to give their business expertise to help struggling charities tackling food poverty.
· A person with anxiety who wants to meet new people and make friends without pressure.
· A marketing executive with chronic asthma who wants to join an environmental campaign.
· A visually impaired accountant who wants to volunteer as they have been advised it will support their career progression.
· A deaf student who volunteers at a charity shop because they are interested in vintage fashion.
For organisations that want to involve more Disabled volunteers, and therefore benefit from more perspectives and lived experiences, here are some top tips you might find helpful: · Learn about the social model of disability and challenge your thinking about people’s potential. · Take care that you use accepted, up-to-date language. See best practice guides.
· Look carefully at the required skills and experiences for your volunteering roles – what is essential and what is a ‘nice to have’. For example, if you have an autistic volunteer who does not feel comfortable using the telephone, but would be excellent at other parts of the role, consider making adaptations.
· Consider having versions of your role descriptions in large print, audio recording, BSL interpretation and Easy Read form.
· Provide clear information for others to make decisions, rather than deciding for them. For example if your building has a step, do not say “not accessible to wheelchair users”, but rather “there is an 8cm step”. The volunteer can then decide for themselves and ask for an adjustment where possible.
· Allow volunteers to give their time from home if possible.
· Money is tight in the voluntary sector, we know. However, when making funding applications consider how you could ask for things that make your organisation, and therefore volunteering opportunities, more accessible and inclusive.
· Be willing to have an honest and open conversation about disability and the needs of your volunteers, but be guided by the individual.
· Accept that sometimes a volunteer’s impairment or health condition may mean things take longer or are done in differently. However, you may even find that someone’s adjustments or adaptations are better for everyone.
If you are a Disabled person who is interested in volunteering, our Volunteer Services would welcome hearing about your experiences and suggestions of how we can improve our service. Please do get in touch.
National Volunteers’ Week serves as a reminder that volunteering is for everyone, but let’s keep that thought front and centre all year round, and do what we can to make it happen.
Anna Denham – Programme Manager (Volunteering Barnet).
Change, it is such a multi-use word. It can relate to tyres, the weather, our respective moods or the country. It is a word that has been doing a lot of heavy lifting in the UK media over the last year and is lined up for a lot more use for the rest of the year. Change is dramatic quite alot of the time, pandemics, cost of living etc. At times volunteering might seem like pushing a stone up a mountain with your nose sometimes.
If we have learnt anything from the history of the last 17 years, it is surely that dramatic change comes at you whether you asked for it or not! The question for the Voluntary Sector, and those whose commitment to helping see positive change in others circumstances remains absolute, is how we ensure that we can be the change we want to see? One way is to keep a calm level head as the change whirls around us. The clients and communities we serve will not get any benefit if we over-stress the change. Take a deep breath and let the “zen” be your centering point.
Whether it is promoting and inspiring or strengthening the diversity of contribution, we cannot be static just because May’s local election results looked like a step backwards. Whether for national campaigning groups, service delivery organisations, mutual aid or every town, villages, suburban entities, the need for those at the cutting edges, areas largely vacated by public services, to be the force for positive change is paramount. The experience of volunteers, seeing the reality of people’s lives, is what really matters and can bring calm to troubled waters and influence wider, better, change.
Covid and the Cost of Living Crisis opened eyes to how vital the on the ground capacity of volunteering and volunteers is. With that comes power and responsibility. We have a responsibility here, should others spoken good intentions turn into positive action or not, to ensure we approach all situations with a calm continuation of our vital work. We are serious people in serious times and that seriousness is our power in times of unease.
In a world where the loudest voice is not always the most perceptive or productive and where attention spans can be short, it is imperative that our individual and collective experience helps shape the future and ensures any substantive change is helpful. Volunteering is the quickest and most effective way to bring positive change. Whether it is just small scale or the first step in a thousand-mile march, our contribution is the change that is needed everywhere. Politicians may panic at the slight of one poll but we, the people, the contributors on the ground, the community, remain the calm, zen-like, rock on which those in need cling. National Volunteers Week is not just a celebration of volunteering, it is a light into a reality. Without our calmness the consequences of ill-thought-out change would be worse.
Green tea anyone?
Volunteer Development Coordinator, Volunteering Kingston.
On The Power of Youth Day and Day 2 of National Volunteers Week, Kumuna, Volunteering Kingston’s Incredible Volunteer Officer, reflects on the unique power of younger volunteers.
National Volunteers Week is always an opportunity to reflect on trends. Over the last couple of 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.
I am not going to say everything in the garden is rosy when it comes to finding young people opportunities. Duke of Edinburgh opportunities for 13/14 year olds are very difficult to secure, mainly because the insurance industry makes life difficult for VIOs to be open to under 16s (and a few VIOs who mistakenly think safeguarding measures are too much bureaucracy) and work is needed to turn that around. Work continues to allow those making that mistake to understand and utilise the value of younger volunteers.
Proper reflection of younger volunteers indicates that as of National Volunteers Week 2025 it is a good period in the Volunteering sector for bringing in new blood. With their enthusiasm, a wave of committed young people who will always create a positive impact. The future is looking bright. Young volunteers bring their energy, ideas, and commitment are also vital to our communities. At Volunteering Kingston, we’ve seen how youth involvement builds skills, confidence, and real change. Young people aren’t just the future – they’re making a difference now.
This year, as in every year, National Volunteers’ Week (2nd – 8th 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. We also have a very important contribution to Kingston Volunteering coming out in the middle of this week so keep your eyes open for it.
National Volunteers’ Week is all about gratitude and so it should be. If ever there was a proper time to say thanks, 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 fifteen years 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 Ukrainians and Gazan’s 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 trumpet blowing. June 2025 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. We are working with others to ensure a time to show gratitude to those who selflessly contribute continues later into the month.
Welcome to National Volunteers Week and Communities Month 2025, 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. Keep your eyes peeled, it will be celebratory and most importantly full of gratitude.
Michael Green – Projects Manager, Volunteering Kingston.
Today’s volunteer case study follows Melanie, a Girl Guiding Leader in Training who has been volunteering since 2018! Girl Guiding is the National Guiding Organisation of the UK, and is the UK’s largest girl-only organisation. Participants are supported by volunteers to go on a wide variety of adventures, support their community and learn new skills.
Volunteer role and organisation: *
GirlGuiding – Leader in Training
Tell us a little about yourself (where you live, what your occupation is)?
Live in Chessington. I studied interior design at university and went on to design retail stores for brands.
What inspired you to volunteer? Wanted to be involved and give back to the community. I wanted to give my time and do something rewarding. Loved the idea of being able to help young girls, guide them and teach them skills for now and later in life.
How did you find out about the volunteering role? Web search
Tell us about your volunteering role(s)?
Weekly meetings at our hall, we do a range of activities from crafts to thinking about topics etc. we follow a Girl Guiding badge reward scheme and also mix in with fun games, outdoor activities and girls interests. We also go camping and take part in community volunteering such as litter picking etc.
What has been the best thing about your volunteering experience?
Seeing the guides grow and develop through their time with us. All the fun and laughter shared proves we are doing it right and making a difference
Can you sum up your experience in three words? Lots of fun!
Thank you very much to Melanie for completing our volunteer survey. Are you interested in supporting Girl Guiding? Apply here! Alternatively, keep up with the service on their website, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here.
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 in 2026, 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 Staywellfor 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.
Today’s Volunteer Case Study follows James, an experienced cyclist and mechanic who volunteers with Wheels for All Kingston. Wheels for All champions accessibility in cycling, working with volunteers to create a diverse, inclusive and welcoming cycling environment.
Tell us a little about yourself (where you live, what your occupation is):
I live in East Sheen (SW14) and retired in April 2023. Before that I spent my working life in the IT industry in various roles and during the last 10 years worked as a Project Manager for several companies in the data/analytics field.
What inspired you to volunteer?
I have always been a very keen cyclist and my own mechanic , so wanted to use my skills and interest to put something back into the community. I looked at several opportunities and found that the work Wheels for All best suited my requirements.
How did you find out about the volunteering role?
I found this opportunity via a google search
Tell us about your volunteering role(s). Brief synopsis of the role, what you do/did day to day. What training did you receive/are you receiving? What are you enjoying/did you enjoy most about your volunteering role?
The role involves the following: – Getting the bikes out of the shed and ready prior to the start of the day’s session.
– Helping participants/carers putting helmets on and ensuring its safe for them to ride
– Getting participants/carers set up on the appropriate bicycle.
– Riding with participants/carers if required when using a dual bike or if they need guidance round the track.
– Fixing any issues with bikes such as minor adjustments and punctures.
– At the end of the session putting the bikes away and closing down the session.
I was given on-site training at the start from the Session lead and then general ways of working training from the WFA organisation.
It is a very positive activity working with the participants and fellow volunteers. It is very good to see the participants enjoying the cycling and outdoor activity and positive contribution to their wellbeing.
What has been the best thing about your volunteering experience?
Seeing the positive impact on the participants over a period over a number of sessions as they develop their cycling skills.
Can you sum up your experience in three words?
Happy Embolden Riders
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Thank you very much to Jamesfor completing our volunteer survey. Are you interested in supporting inclusive cycling by volunteering for Wheels for All Kingston? Apply here! Alternatively, keep up with the service on their website, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here.
Today’s organisation spotlight is on Larch Club, a social club for adults with (high functioning) autism run by Kingston Eco-Op. The club focuses on creating a space where members can socialise, make new friends, and express themselves. Members can partake in a range of activities, including board games, arts and crafts, and music.
Tell us a little about your organisation
The Larch Club was established in 2023 as a social club for adults with autism (without a learning disability). This is in response to a lack of local services following the social impact that the covid lockdowns had on people with autism. It is a member led group focussing on creating a safe, social space for members to socialise, take part in activities and go out on trips.
Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?
Volunteers help improve the clubs ability to adapt to the individual needs of the members. With help we can plan for events, activities and trips that support the clubs aims.
What volunteer role/s do you have available?
The Larch Club runs from 5:30 to 8pm on Thursdays at Kingston Library. Volunteers will assist staff in setting up, running the club, tidying up at the end and planning for the future.
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?
The Larch Club would be invaluable experience for anyone interested in social care, nursing, psychology or counselling. I began the journey in my career as a MIND volunteer so appreciate that interpersonal skills benefit greatly from experience. Training and travel expenses are available. Personal or private experience of autism is desirable.
Thank you so much to Christ from The Larch Club / Kingston Eco-Op for your time! Do you want to give back to your community? Become a volunteer for The Larch Club here! Want to find out more? Check out their website, X, Instagram, and Facebook page.
Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here.
