Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June during the Month of Community. It's a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and to say thank you.

These last few years have highlighted the vital role volunteers play and this is a week to recognise their impact, think about volunteering and plan to support volunteering in the future.

As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers' wellbeing too. It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, boost your confidence and help connect you with people you may otherwise have never met. 

As one volunteer shared: “When I retired, I found myself isolated and watching daytime TV. Since I started volunteering, I have met some other like-minded people, and life has taken a turn for the better. It feels good to give something back by helping other people.”

Local charities involve volunteers of all ages in a wide variety of roles, and there is something for everyone, whatever their interests or availability.  

Volunteers are the magic ingredient at Ripon Museums. If you love history, want to meet like-minded people or perhaps broaden your skills and knowledge, then volunteering with Ripon Museum Trust could be for you. 

There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities available which include curation, learning and front of house volunteers amongst many others, all helping to bring history to life. 

The front of house team provides the first contact visitors have of the museums. This enjoyable and interesting role is vital to the museums’ continued success and development. Volunteers welcome visitors, sell admission tickets and make shop sales, give information to visitors and help them to enjoy their visit. 

A friendly and supportive team, alongside a full induction and training, awaits all new volunteers. 
 
The unique trio of the Workhouse, Prison & Police and Courthouse Museums, the collections, and stories that they tell explore issues such as fairness, equality, justice and welfare. Giving your time with Ripon Museums will help them on their mission to inspire a better future. 

For more information about volunteering opportunities visit the museums website or call Vicki on on 01765 690799.  

This year Volunteers’ Week coincides with the Jubilee celebrations, with many volunteers busy behind the scenes organising community events. June is the national ‘Month of Community’ when we come together to celebrate everything that makes our communities great. Locally, it’s also the month to celebrate and support events including the first Ripon Theatre Festival, an exciting new venture organised by a small group of volunteers.
   
Our new Volunteering City of Ripon project co-ordinator Jo will be working with local community organisations to make volunteering more impactful and inclusive. We know volunteers are the magic ingredient, and now we’re asking ‘If you had a magic wand and anything was possible, what would you like the landscape of volunteering to look like for our community? Think big!’ 

Volunteers’ Week is a good time start volunteering and begin the magical journey to finding new friends, new experiences and perhaps new things about yourself too! Contact your favourite local charity, take a look at this video with some of the volunteers at Harrogate Hospital or browse our HADCA Volunteering Directory to find your ideal role.  

Photo: A front of house volunteer welcomes visitors at the Ripon Workhouse Museum and Garden