As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and experience to support unpaid carers across Kingston.
Our volunteers support carers in many different ways. From preparing meals for young carers at group activities to being the first voice a carer might hear when they call our office, they provide practical support, a listening ear and a warm welcome to carers across Kingston.
This year’s volunteer survey highlighted the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. Nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) have volunteered with Kingston Carers Network for more than three years.
Our volunteers highlighted the positive impact volunteering has on them, helping them to build confidence, develop skills, improve wellbeing and make new connections. One volunteer shared:
“As a young carer myself, I met amazing volunteers offering their free time to provide many fun events. Now being a trustee, I am able to give my time back to support young carers and also, it has allowed me to gain more experience in finance, governance and confidence building.”
Others reflected:
"Volunteering contributes to me keeping faith in human beings. It is important to be reminded and see the positive impacts of helping one another. I appreciate also the lovely social opportunities of meeting with people, and I gained confidence and skills that I would probably not have developed more otherwise (like cooking for 30+ people!).”
“Volunteering has helped me become more confident and improve my communication skills. It has made me more patient and understanding towards others. I also feel proud knowing that I am helping people and making a positive difference.”
Every volunteer who completed our survey said they were proud to volunteer with us, would recommend volunteering to others and felt their volunteering makes a positive difference to carers.
"This is the best charity I have volunteered for in terms of support."
Among the many volunteers making a difference are Chris and Jake.
Chris has volunteered as a mentor for more than a year, supporting a 14-year-old young carer who helps care for his mother, who lives with a rare condition. Together they have taken part in activities including rock climbing, mountain biking and gym sessions, while also developing independent travel skills. His young carer’s mother described Chris as “much more than a mentor”, adding that her son “would see him every single day if he could.”
Jake, one of our youngest volunteers and a former young carer, now gives back by supporting other young carers. During Mental Health Awareness Week, he delivered a powerful speech to our youth group, sharing his experiences and highlighting the importance of support for young carers.
We are also grateful to our Volunteers Coordinator, Jess, whose dedication helps ensure volunteers feel welcomed, supported and valued throughout their volunteering journey. Her commitment is reflected in this year’s survey, where 100% of volunteers who responded said they felt welcomed and valued as a volunteer.
To every volunteer who gives their time to Kingston Carers Network, thank you. Your kindness and commitment make a real difference to carers and their families every day.
If you’re interested in making a similar impact to Chris and Jake, we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about our volunteering opportunities here.