Volunteers' Week 2026
Monday 1 June – Sunday 7 June
This is an annual UK-wide campaign which celebrates and recognises the contributions of volunteers. It highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK and celebrates the spirit of volunteering that enriches communities each year.
As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers' wellbeing. It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, and boost your confidence.
We aim to build support from all members of the Thornbury and district community by showcasing volunteering opportunities and inspiring positive change.
Want to volunteer but don’t know where to start? Chat with us and let us know what you’re interested in.
We have volunteering opportunities to suit all levels of commitment, experience and time availability. Whatever your circumstances you could help many different causes.
What we do
We help individuals find volunteering opportunities that suit them best. We work with local organisations to find volunteers for recurring and one-off projects. We advise organisations about creating schemes that give employees the opportunity to volunteer. We provide advice, support and training.
Be a volunteer!
Volunteering is about giving your time to a good cause. You don’t get paid, but you do get the chance to use your talents, develop new skills, and experience the pleasure that comes from making a real difference to other people’s lives, as well as your own.
Who can be a volunteer?
Anyone. Whatever your age, background or work experience, you will have a skill someone needs. No matter how busy you are, there will be something you can do. It can be trickier to find volunteer roles if you are under 16, but not impossible. Just ask us.
What can I do?
Anything. (Almost.) More than 100 different volunteer roles are available in the Thornbury area, from driving to gardening, fundraising to shop work, befriending to administration. There’s something for everyone.
How do I get started?
Search our opportunities to find one you like, then follow it up with us. Or you can ask us to suggest an opportunity that inspires you. (Contact details are at the bottom of the page.) Either way, it’s best to register with us first so we know a little about you and your interests. See also our frequently asked questions page.
Find a volunteer!
Every month, new people register to volunteer with us from all walks of life. We provide a range of services to help you to find the volunteers you need.
More than just great volunteers
With nearly three decades of experience, we know that finding a volunteer is only the start. Planning is essential to successfully place and retain volunteers. That’s why we can also provide you with good practice advice, resources, support and training and help you provide successful experiences for both yourselves and your volunteers. We can also help you set up an employer-supported volunteering scheme.
Getting started
To start recruiting volunteers, you need to complete our organisation registration form and register your volunteering opportunities so that we can promote them for you. For information and advice at any time, get in touch with us. (Our contact details are at the bottom of the page.) See also our frequently asked questions page.
Christmas sale success
On 8 November we held our Christmas sale at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall.
We were blessed with good weather which helped a big turnout of customers for the local charitable groups and individuals who were present. They sold a wide range of goods, including cards, Christmas crafts, and vintage bric-a-brac while also raising awareness of their work in the local community.
We served tea and cake to the visitors and held a giant Christmas raffle with donations from Tesco, St Mary Centre, Tesoro Lounge, Mezze, Coffi Lab, Boots, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and many more.
Altogether, it was a hugely enjoyable event. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made it a success. We raised more than £400 for our own funds.
Volunteer Fair 2025
On 10 September we hosted our annual Volunteer Fair in the St Mary Centre. Eleven local charitable and community groups took stalls with the aim of recruiting volunteers, promoting their organisations and in some cases raising funds. Thornbury Radio played throughout the morning and Town Mayor Cllr Helen Ball visited and spoke to all the stallholders. It was a very social and successful morning which attracted many visitors, resulting in at least 25 potential volunteers coming forward, with many more people taking away information. Our thanks to the St Mary Centre Management team and South Glos Council for their support of this event.
Summer Award lunch
On Wednesday 11 June, as part of our celebrations for Volunteers’ Week, we welcomed more than 70 representatives and volunteers from 33 volunteer-involving organisations to a lunch in the United Reformed Church Hall, Thornbury.
This lovely summer event allowed us to say thank you for the hard work and commitment this section of the community has given, and continues to give, to the Thornbury and district area. It also provided guests with the opportunity to meet other volunteers and organisations and share experiences.
We welcomed guests to the event, sponsored by Thornbury Lions Club, and treated them to a delicious lunch generously prepared and donated by Sandra at The Swan.
We were joined by guest speaker Mark Cardwell of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire who gave a highly informative talk on the services it offers to the community.
The annual Alan Hudson award for volunteering achievement was awarded to Thornbury Radio for their outstanding contribution to the local community. The award was presented by Julie Kent, MBE, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
We presented the Clare Fardell award to Kinsley Hawkesford for her outstanding voluntary contribution to Thornbury parkrun. The award was presented by Thornbury Town Mayor Cllr. Helen Ball.
Follow the links for more details about the award winners and their contributions to the community.
The Town Hall, 35 High Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AR.
Telephone: 01454 413392. Or use our contact form.
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10.30–12.00; closed on public holidays.
We’re also on social media:
Thornbury Volunteer Centre is a registered charity, number 1180775. This site © Thornbury Volunteer Centre 2016-. Site design by Michael Quinion. Page last updated 22 Apr. 2026.