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National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go. This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, highlights the power of volunteering to bring people together.
Whether you are a charity, nonprofit, workplace, or community group, there are so many ways to get involved. From small acts of appreciation to large-scale events, every effort helps show volunteers how much they are valued.
Event Ideas to Celebrate Volunteers
Host an event, say thank you, and make your volunteers feel special! Here are some easy, meaningful ways to celebrate:
1. Organise a Volunteer Celebration Event
What: A morning tea, community BBQ, or awards night to recognise volunteers.
Why: A great way to bring people together and highlight their contributions.
Tip: Use invitation templates from the NVW2025 toolkit.
2. Give Volunteers a Shoutout on Social Media
What: Feature volunteers in posts, stories, or videos sharing their impact.
Why: Increases visibility and encourages others to volunteer.
Tip: Use hashtags like #NVW2025 and #ConnectingCommunities to spread the word.
3. Create a Heartfelt Thank You Video
What: A short video featuring messages from staff, volunteers, and community members.
Why: Personal messages feel meaningful and can be shared widely.
Tip: Keep it under 2 minutes and post it on social media and your website.
4. Send Personalised Thank You Messages
What: Handwritten or digital thank you notes highlighting volunteers’ efforts.
Why: A personal message can mean a lot to volunteers.
Tip: Ask your team or board members to write a few each.
5. Offer Small Tokens of Appreciation
What: A small gift like a pin, pen, or certificate.
Why: A thoughtful gesture to show gratitude.
Tip: Visit our Online Shop to view our range of high-quality gifts for volunteers.
Explore More Ideas:
✅ Host a volunteer Q&A panel
✅ Feature volunteers in your newsletter
✅ Partner with local media to share volunteer stories
✅ Organise a ‘Bring a Friend’ Volunteering Day
✅ Host a community volunteering expo
How to Promote Volunteering During National Volunteer Week
Encourage new people to get involved by highlighting the benefits of volunteering!
Share Impact Stories – Show how volunteering changes lives.
Invite Volunteers to Speak – Let them share their experiences.
Host a ‘Try Volunteering’ Day – A no-pressure way to get people involved.
Make it Easy to Sign Up – Ensure your website has up-to-date volunteer opportunities.
Join the Celebration!
Every organisation can play a role in making volunteers feel valued. Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building thriving and inclusive communities.
Looking for more resources? Head to our NVW2025 Resources page – get inspired and start planning today!
Looking for gift ideas? Visit our Online Shop to view our range of high-quality gifts for volunteers.
Download the NVW2025 EVENT PLANNING GUIDE
Share your NVW moments using #NVW2025 and #ConnectingCommunities
