Now in its 42nd year, Volunteers' Week shines a spotlight on the time, skills and dedication given by volunteers across Northern Ireland and the wider UK. Led in Northern Ireland by Volunteer Now, the week is an opportunity to recognise and thank volunteers while inspiring more people to get involved.
Get involved and celebrate
Volunteers' Week is all about recognising and thanking those who give their time to make a difference. Whether you're part of a voluntary organisation or a volunteer yourself, there are lots of ways to get involved.
Many organisations across Northern Ireland will be marking the week with volunteer recognition events, community gatherings, social media campaigns and opportunities to share volunteer stories. Even small gestures – such as a thank-you message, a volunteer spotlight or a certificate of appreciation – can make a real difference in helping volunteers feel valued.
A range of free resources is available on the Volunteers' Week website to support organisations to celebrate, including thank you cards, certificates, social media graphics, campaign branding and ideas for activities.
Find out more and access resources: volunteersweek.org
Supporting and Managing Volunteers Year-Round
While this week provides a moment of celebration, we also want to highlight the importance of ongoing support and good volunteer management.
Volunteer Now offers extensive guidance, training and support for organisations who work with volunteers. From recruitment to best practice in volunteer management, they provide helpful tools for every step of the journey.
This October, NICVA and Volunteer Now will once again deliver the ILM Level 3 Award in Management of Volunteers, an accredited programme designed to help those responsible for managing volunteers develop their knowledge, skills and confidence.
At NICVA we have a range of practical resources, training and advice in areas like governance, human resources, risk management and fundraising – all vital to creating strong, supportive environments for volunteers. You can also find volunteering opportunities and advertise volunteer vacancies on our CommunityNI website.
The DIY Committee Guide is a helpful resource for volunteer-led organisations, offering governance health checks, templates and practical guidance for committees and management groups.
Celebrate and share your stories
Volunteers are at the heart of communities across Northern Ireland. They support local groups, strengthen services, bring people together and help create positive change.
As Volunteers' Week 2026 takes place across the UK, we encourage organisations to celebrate their volunteers and share their stories online using #VolunteersWeek and #VolunteersWeekNI.
To everyone who gives their time, skills and experience to help others and strengthen our communities – thank you.
Happy Volunteers' Week.
