A volunteer from Wrexham has shared her experiences of workplace giving in a conversation with King Charles at Windsor Castle. The meeting took place during a major showcase of voluntary work held as part of a German state visit.
A Royal Platform for Volunteering
Tracey Smith, an employee of Lloyds Banking Group, represented her company on the Royal Voluntary Service's (RVS) employee volunteering stand. The event, hosted at Windsor Castle during President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's state visit, brought together volunteers from more than a dozen charities. They represented a wide spectrum of causes, from guide dog training and adult literacy to supporting food banks.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, chief executive of the RVS, stated it was an honour to host the stand alongside volunteers from firms like Lloyds, Morrisons, and Centrica. "We were able to share the positive impact volunteering can have on individuals, communities and businesses," she said. The event also served to launch GoVo, a new digital platform designed to help businesses unlock the potential of employee volunteering.
Major Community Weekend Planned for 2025
The Windsor gathering was hosted by Matt Hyde, chair of The Big Help Out, and Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, the charity behind The Big Lunch. It was announced that these two major initiatives will join forces next year for a significant national event.
On June 5 to 8, 2025, the UK will see one big weekend of community and action. The campaign aims to engage voluntary organisations of all sizes, encouraging them to welcome new volunteers, thank existing networks, and celebrate local communities. It will be supported by 36 of the largest volunteering charities within the 'Shaping the Future with Volunteering' network.
Uniting Communities Through Action
Andy Jasper emphasised the timeliness of the collaboration. "There has never been a more important time to bring people and communities together and to support them to take positive action where they live," he said. "This exciting collaboration will bring all the friendship, food and fun of The Big Lunch together with the chance for people from all walks of life to try something new, make a difference and have a go at volunteering in a new way."
The event highlighted the growing corporate and national focus on the power of volunteering to transform lives and strengthen community bonds. For those interested in taking part in the activities and events planned for next summer, further information is available on the official campaign website.
