Volunteers Make Waves!
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of volunteers who offer their time for good causes throughout the country. London has a huge volunteering community, so London’s Lifelines always gets in on the action!
Stay tuned as we continue to update this page throughout the coming weeks with interesting volunteer stories, videos, and celebrations!
If you’d like to stay updated on our activities throughout Volunteers’ Week and beyond, sign up to our mailing list, and be sure to follow us on social media. Tag us in your own #VolunteersWeek posts, too. Let’s get the word out about London’s incredible volunteering community!
Volunteer stories
This year we are promoting the fact that #VolunteersMakeWaves, both figuratively and literally!
The selfless acts of kindness that volunteers give every day ripple throughout their communities, making positive changes locally and nationally.
Below are some stories of literal wave-makers… members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer teams in London!
Pete – RNLI
Pete has a background in the ambulance service as a paramedic and volunteered with the RNLI to pass this knowledge and experience to the lifeboat crew. See Pete’s story.
Tim – RNLI
Tim has been a volunteer for RNLI for over 20 years! Check out his story.
Amy – RNLI
Amy is the Volunteer Fundraising Branch Chair for RNLI Twickenham. She has always been well aware of the amazing work the RNLI lifeboat crews do and wanted to find a way to help. Find her story here.
Damian – RNLI
Damian joined Teddington Lifeboat Station during the pandemic and has been a volunteer lifeboat crew member ever since. In his story, Damian talks about how important it is to give back to the community. Find out more!
If you are a volunteer, upload your story to our website here and we will add it to our Stories page. Telling inspiring stories from volunteers is the best way to get others involved – volunteer a few moments of your time to make London stronger.
For more information on uploading stories, see this document.
Volunteers Week 2025 Thank You
Check out this inspiring ‘thank you’ video from Debbie Weekes-Bernard, the Deputy Mayor of London for Communities and Social Justice!
Vision for Volunteering
This year, Volunteers’ Week is sponsered by Works4U, and excellent organisation that was also crucial in the production and release of the London Vision and Action Plan for Volunteering!
The vision sets out a future where volunteering in London can thrive, with 36 recommendations on how to support and grow London’s volunteering community.
Volunteers’ Week stories
Here are some extra volunteer stories we have collected throughout Volunteers’ Week!
Barbara
“I am giving back to London what London gives to me.” Here, Barbara talks about how volunteering got her through some tough periods in her life. Read her story.
Trailblazers
Check out this inspiring story about a volunteer from the amazing organisation Trailblazers, which offers mentoring opportunities for young men coming out of prison.
