Looking back on over 3000 hours volunteered in 2023!

Throughout 2023, the volunteers at Care for Veterans have been extraordinary in their efforts. The fundraising and events volunteers, with 979 hours, were pivotal in our success, supported by 22 corporate volunteers from companies like Equiniti and Balfour Beatty. Administration volunteers, crucial to our operations, dedicated a huge 319 hours and the addition of many veteran volunteers further strengthened our team. Heading into the new year, we aim to grow our volunteer workforce and continue making a positive impact on our home and residents.

Read below about all the amazing different sectors that the volunteers supported:

Gardening: 952 hours

Our amazing gardening team lead by Paul has increased from 3 to 5 volunteers this year, helping to make the grounds and the overall upkeep of the gardens flourish from weeding to planting, cutting back to leaf clearance, we are still on the lookout to find someone to help in the greenhouse and to coordinated a resident gardening project. Paul and colleagues even managed to find someone to make The Gifford Grape wine for us this year from the grapevines at Care for veterans.

Wellbeing: 428 hours

We have now 7 wellbeing volunteers, 5 of whom who stayed on post covid, who have really helped the wellbeing hub by making activities like games, painting, drawing, quizzes and baking a lot more fun and enjoyable for all residents. We also gained the company of 2 volunteer therapy dogs (Ziggy and Stanley) and their owners who have come on board and always put a smile on the faces of our residents.

Befriending: 100 hours

At the start of the year, we only had one volunteer that continued to befriend  but in the last 11 months, we have managed to recruit 7 more volunteers that have been able to start befriending. The impact on many residents that don’t get visits or to go out and to have as much social connection this had made a huge difference in their mental health, communication skills and even the chance in some cases to be chaperoned to go out for a coffee or a stroll along the promenade.

Chaplaincy service: 3 hours

A thank you to our lovely volunteer who has been kind enough to play the organ at chapel service. Once the chapel has been fully renovated, we will look at the recruitment of another volunteer for 2024

Counselling: 226 hours

Geoff our in-house counsellor has been a huge help to members of staff, residents and volunteers who have needed someone to talk and listened to give help, guidance and advice when needed. This support has greatly helped many of the Care For Veterans family make sure they get the most out of the jobs roles which can be stressful and emotional with the type of work we do.

Fundraising and events: 979 hours

From bucket collection to military shows, Summer Fayres to plant and bake sale the fundraising and events volunteers have been in full force. We couldn’t do any of these events without the team of dedicated volunteers that put time and effort into what they do. This year we have managed to engage another 7 volunteers to help with events that volunteer across the board. This has made a massive difference in what we can go out and do in our fundraising efforts.

Corporate Volunteers: 22 hours

This year we had 4 Corporate company’s support in helping make our Summer fayre and Christmas fayre a success Equiniti, Balfour Beatty, DWP, AMS Decorating and Allianz Insurance PLC thank you for all your energy time and commitment we also had onboard  Goodgym a local health fitness community  group that cleared down the xmas fayre which helped immensely  after a very long but worthwhile day in rising funds. If you are a corporate company and would like us to be your charity for the year or to form an ongoing working partnership then please get in contact we look forward to hearing from you. 

Administration volunteers: 319 hours

The help of the admin volunteers this year has been amazing. To have 2 volunteers that have assisted with the administration task relating to the efficiency and the success and the running of many of the fundraising events and bank office needs has been most welcomed. It’s a blessing to have them in the office at busy peak times of the year.

Volunteer veterans:  The recruitment of 4 veteran volunteers this year has been a great asset to the other 6 that we have onboard. We would love to bring in more veterans and to start veteran’s groups which our residents can attend so they can be part of the external veteran’s community. 

If you would like more information regarding joining our volunteer family in 2024 then please call or email Jaime Mootealoo on 01903 218 350 / j.mootealoo@careforveterans.org.uk

For corporate partnerships, please contact Aiden Goodwin by email: aidan.goodwin@careforveterans.co.uk