Gareth’s blog: Volunteers – the heartbeat of our charity

Gareth’s blog: Volunteers – the heartbeat of our charity

As we mark Volunteers’ Week, I want to take a moment to shine a light on the extraordinary people who give their time, energy and hearts to Forget Me Not. Our volunteers are not just helpers—they are the heartbeat of our charity: the smiling faces in our shops, the steady hands behind the scenes, the collectors and counters of people’s spare change keeping our fundraising going strong, and the people who make so much of what we do possible.

This past year has not been without its challenges. Like many charities, we’ve had to adapt, innovate, and sometimes make difficult decisions. But through it all, our volunteers have remained steadfast. They’ve continued to show up with the same passion and purpose that makes Forget Me Not such a special place to be.

I recently wrote to one of our long-standing volunteers to thank them for their years of service. The hundreds and hundreds of hours they’ve given over the last ten years have helped us to support so many local children and families. That kind of commitment leaves a lasting legacy—one that continues to shape the care we provide and the lives we touch every single day.

This is also an exciting time for volunteering at Forget Me Not. We’ve recently launched a new programme to encourage more people to get involved by directly supporting children and families not only at our hospice – Russell House – but also out in the community too.

And our volunteer numbers are growing. More people than ever are stepping forward to share their time and talents—and we couldn’t be more grateful.

If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, now is the perfect time to get involved. Whether you’d like to help in one of our shops, support fundraising and events, work directly with children and families, lend a hand in the garden at Russell House, or even become a volunteer driver – there’s a role for everyone. Whatever your skills or interests, you can make a real and lasting difference. You can view all our volunteering roles here.

So, to every volunteer – past, present, and future – thank you. Thank you for being part of our story. Thank you for believing in our mission. And thank you for reminding us, every day, what it means to be Forget Me Not.

Happy Volunteers’ Week.