Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2021 at Acorns Children’s Hospice
The 1st – 7th June 2021 is national Volunteers’ Week – an annual celebration of everything amazing about being a volunteer
Here at Acorns we rely on an army of incredible volunteers in so many ways. Without them, we couldn’t run our shops and our hospices would be very different places.
From befriending children and young people, running support groups, providing admin and clerical skills, gardening, welcoming visitors, managing reception desks, making tea, maintenance, housekeeping, sorting donations, replenishing stock, operating tills, and supporting events, our volunteers generously give their time and talents to help us continue to be there for the children and families that need us.
Thank You
This year we want to say a special heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all of our beloved volunteers who have continued to support us throughout the pandemic and to those who have patiently waited while roles have been put on hold during lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions.
We have over 1,200 amazing volunteers, however shop closures, the cancellation of events and restricted travelled and access at our hospices and Head Office throughout the pandemic have meant many of those roles have temporarily stopped.
Despite this, our volunteers have demonstrated remarkable patience, loyalty and resilience, being ready and willing to return whenever it is be safe to do so.
Those able joined us as we adapted our care to meet the changing needs of the children and families we support, from delivering care packages to isolating families during the height of the crisis to helping families stay connected through virtual support groups.
To each and every one of you, from the bottom of our hearts ‘thank you’.
Meet some of our amazing volunteers and hear their stories
Meet Gemma
Gemma volunteers at Acorns in Birmingham and was among the stars of 2020 who at the height of the pandemic, selflessly delivered care packages of essential items to families who were in strict isolation shielding vulnerable children. Read more about how our volunteers mobilised to deliver care packages here.
Meet Vic
Vic is a long serving volunteer at Acorns in the Black Country. This year he celebrated 20 years of volunteering at Acorns. Like many, he was quick to return to his role as soon as he was able. He has been helping us bring families and siblings together through virtual support groups as well as carrying out important maintenance at our Walsall hospice. Read more about Vic’s story here.
Meet Lin
Lin is a volunteer at Acorns shop in Mere Green. She was among the hundreds of volunteers whose roles were put on hold when Acorns shops closed for a total of six months during the pandemic. Keen to continue raising fund Lin organised a Covid-19 pop-up shop at the warden-controlled premises in which she lives. Everyone who visited the premises, from NHS carers to nurses loved her idea, helping Lin raising £3,000 during the three national lockdowns.
Meet Brian
Brian is a stalwart volunteer at Acorns for the Three Counties. Brian is a familiar face to visitors at the Worcester hospice and can normally be found manning our reception desk. Throughout the pandemic Brian has been on hand supporting wherever and however he can, from delivering care packages to families in a need and making a welcome return to the hospice as soon as circumstances allowed.
Feeling inspired?
If you can spare a few hours to help support your local children’s hospice check out our current volunteering opportunities at the link below or call 01564 825 037 to enquire.
