Hello Everyone,

Volunteers’ Week 2020 will look a lot different this year; with social distancing measures in place and lockdown still at play, but the recognition of the immeasurable gratitude towards our local volunteers will, like every year before, take centre stage! 

During the week commencing 1st – 7th June the North West Volunteer Centre, in partnership with Derry & Strabane District Council, is hoping to shine a light on the epic role that volunteers have played in our community throughout the year.   We hope that you can join us in showcasing the unique and brilliant people who share their time supporting their local community. 

As a useful guide please see what we are doing in honour of this celebratory week!

Download a Volunteer Certificate - Recognise the commitment and contributions of your volunteers by rewarding them with one of our downloadable volunteer certificates, available to download here
Once downloaded, you can enter your own details in the boxes before printing or simply delete the placeholder text to create a blank certificate to print.

Message from the Mayor - As part of our Volunteers' Week celebrations, we will be sharing a recorded message from the current Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, personally thanking the volunteers delivering vital services in response to the Covid-19 emergency - a total of 865 volunteers! View the message here https://www.facebook.com/884731394904150/posts/3069307443113190

Use Our Hashtags - Want to join our conversation around Volunteers' Week? If you are sharing volunteer news, stories or pictures on your social media channels, please use our hashtags: #volunteerderrystrabane #volunteersweek #timetosaythankyou

Light Up Purple -  To signify the importance of volunteers and their work especially during Covid 19 the North West Volunteer Centre will be lighting up the volunteer centre in London Street purple. Derry City and Strabane District Council will also be lighting up select public buildings, namely: Tinnies (Strabane) and the council’s local offices.  Community organisations can also join in and share in this message of gratitude by lighting up their buildings or premises. 

Living Your Best Life - We will be taking this opportunity to launch our “Volunteering - Living Your Best Life” report, which is based on 25 local organisations and 75 volunteers from the Derry & Strabane area. This report has been supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project. It is available to view by clicking here.

Look out for our billboards - Out on your daily exercise, or getting some essentials? Whilst you’re on the road, look out for our five dedicated Volunteers Week promotional billboards. These can be spotted at Spencer Road, Buncrana Road, John Street and Strand Road in Derry; and Railway Street, Strabane. In addition, you will also spot four promotional banners across the Council area.

Get involved - This year, Volunteers' Week comes with a daily theme, shining a spotlight on volunteers from across the local community.

Themes for Volunteers’ Week include:

• Monday 1st June -  Listening & Support
• Tuesday 2nd June – Young People
• Wednesday 3rd June  – Fundraising
• Thursday  4th June - Covid 19 response community Action
• Friday 5th June -   Nature & Conservation
• Saturday 6th June – Arts & Culture
• Sunday 7th June – Sports

We would love to hear volunteer stories, share pictures and videos on the themes above.  Please forward information to: enquiries@volunteeringnorthwest.co.uk