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.