May 25, 2023

2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when Active Cumbria will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the contribution volunteers make across the UK. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we hope to encourage people to be the change that we want to see and get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for them.

The contribution of volunteers in the sport and physical activity sector is often unseen and unrecognised by many, visible only through the incredible impact of their volunteering, so taking the time during Volunteers’ Week to celebrate their efforts and all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole has never been more important.

This Volunteers’ Week we will be celebrating the volunteers,who help make sport and physical activity possible - from coaches and sports leaders to everyone behind the scenes.  And of course we are taking the opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic volunteering opportunities available through Active Cumbria:

Become a Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Walk Leader:  Could you help boost Cumbria's wellbeing one step at a time?  We need walk leaders to lead walks in communities across Cumbria.  Find out more here 

Volunteer Walk Leader Sue tells us what she enjoys about the role; 

"I enjoy being a walk leader, from a personal note its lovely to get away from my desk into the fresh air and nature and good for my own wellbeing. Working for  Copeland Wellness Service I understand the benefits of walking  encompassing  green and blue prescribing, health benefits and social interactions. It is a great resource to offer our patients and the wider community. Our regular walks  have become a social event for some who  are maybe isolated,  many of our regulars have made friends and often go for a coffee or lunch following a walk and some walkers are a wealth of local knowledge.  Seeing the changing seasons and the wonder of nature is a privilege and a source of conversation with our walkers especially naming and photographing  landmarks, wildlife, plants and flowers we see along the way. Some of our walkers have visibly improved their fitness and stamina over the weeks which is also great to see."

Active Travel Opportunities. The Travel Actively team have produced a short flyer highlighting the range of opportunities available to support active travel initiatives such as cycling and walking in Barrow and Carlisle.  Read more here 

Opportunities for children and young people:  We invite young people to join us at Cumbria School Games event as Young Leaders running and co-ordinating activities and events.  If you would be interested for the young people in your school to take part contact Kirsty.Williamson@cumberland.gov.uk - find out more about Cumbria School Games here 

Cumbria CVS have a range of volunteer roles available across Cumbria.  Find out more and get involved here