Volunteers’ Week is a UK wide and annual festival of volunteering which takes place from June 1-7 every year. This special week is a time to say a massive thank you to volunteers.

Countless volunteers, from across Pembrokeshire, have given their time over the last 12 months to causes they care about and in response to the emergency situations that people have been faced with.

This year, Volunteers’ Week falls at a time of crisis, when the lives of individuals and communities have been affected by a global pandemic, when our neighbours, community members and local volunteers have become more important than ever to supporting those in need.

It is no surprise that the community response to the current situation in Pembrokeshire has been amazing. Hundreds of Community Volunteers are supporting people in towns and villages across the county making sure no-one goes without, whether they are helping to provide food, deliver medicine, or ringing someone for a chat on the phone. There has even been an increase in intergenerational volunteering, with young people sharing their skills, online or over the phone, with older people and vice versa across the generations. Community Support Volunteers are providing a vital service - and rightly deserve a big thank you.

As well as the incredible community response to the current crisis we shouldn’t forget the many volunteers who regularly give their time and energy to make Pembrokeshire a better place. So much just wouldn’t happen without these volunteers. Some give a few hours when they can; some dedicate a lifetime. Unfortunately many of them cannot undertake their normal volunteering tasks at this time, but they will no doubt be looking forward to a time when they can resume their activities. These volunteers, and the organisations that support them along the way, both deserve a huge thank you.

Sharron Lusher, High Sheriff of Dyfed, in her ‘Thank You Video’ to all volunteers commented: “As the Covid 19 crisis eases somewhat over the coming months, it will be particularly important to continue with our support, and encourage more people to carry on helping out in their communities and getting involved in volunteering. Let us encourage lifelong active citizenship, kindness and compassion in our communities, with people of all ages giving of their time to help others in whatever ways they can.”

On Thursday, June 4, PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services) will be launching the 2020 Volunteering Awards, to recognise and celebrate the difference volunteers make to communities in Pembrokeshire. There are a number of categories, including two new ones this year. For more information (or for a nomination form) contact [email protected] / 01437 769422.

This year, it is more important than ever to recognise the contribution that volunteers make, both during this crisis and in every sphere of our lives.

Follow what is happening during #VolunteersWeek in Pembrokeshire on twitter @VolPembs and on facebook @PAVS.Volunteering.Pembrokeshire