National Volunteer Week is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of volunteers who generously donate their time and talents to make a difference in our communities. 

Showing appreciation to these selfless individuals not only acknowledges their efforts but also encourages ongoing and future volunteerism. Here are five meaningful ways to celebrate National Volunteer Week and show appreciation to your volunteers.

1. Host a Volunteer Appreciation Event

Organise an event specifically to honour your volunteers. This could be a casual picnic, a formal dinner, or a fun social gathering. An appreciation event not only celebrates volunteers but also provides an opportunity for them to connect with each other and share their experiences. It doesn’t have to be this week specifically but letting your volunteers know they are appreciated goes a long way in retaining current volunteers and gaining new ones. 

2. Personalise Your Thank Yous

Taking the time to send personalised thank you notes can have a profound impact. Handwritten cards are especially meaningful, but thoughtful emails or even video messages can be just as effective. Here’s how to make your thank yous stand out; mention specific contributions or moments that stood out, include a small token of appreciation (it doesn’t have to be extravagant, but a little gesture goes a long way), and share stories or data that showcase the impact of their volunteer work. 

3. Feature Volunteers in Your Communications

Shine a spotlight on your volunteers by featuring them in your organisation's communications. This can be as simple as sharing photos on social media, highlighting a volunteer in your newsletter or even showcasing them on a dedicated page or blog on your website. Publicly recognising volunteers not only makes them feel appreciated but also highlights the value of volunteering to a broader audience and serves as an inspiration for others to get involved especially since the volunteering sector are always after more volunteers.

4. Provide Professional Development Opportunities

Show your appreciation by investing in your volunteers’ growth and development. This could include workshops or training sessions or even creating a mentorship program where volunteers are paired with a mentor to help guide them through their volunteering journey. Providing these opportunities shows that you value their development and are committed to their personal and professional growth.

5. Create a Volunteer Recognition Program

Establish an ongoing recognition program to regularly acknowledge and celebrate volunteer contributions. This could be as simple or extravagant as you like from having quarterly awards for outstanding volunteers to just celebrating small milestones. A structured recognition program ensures that volunteers consistently feel valued and motivated to continue their efforts.