It’s Volunteers’ Week in UK, giving us another opportunity to say a huge thank you to our fantastic volunteers who play an important role in helping us raise awareness and funds for FTCT grants.

Their energy and ‘passion for fashion’ is invaluable at the events we attend, helping to introduce and chat about our charity’s work to industry professionals. Helping to share our message to those who can support us and those who need an FTCT grant is a part of what we do, and our volunteers have connected us with more families than we’d have been able to reach without them. Volunteering is also a great way to gain knowledge, experience, have fun – and boost your CV! What’s not to love?

Volunteers’ Week 2018

The annual Volunteers' Week campaign, established in 1984, recognises the contribution volunteers make to our communities every day. According to Government statistics, in 2016/17, 19.8 million people in the UK (37% of the whole population!) volunteered formally at least once a year and 11.9 million (22%) did so at least once a month. A fantastic statistic!

Come and volunteer with us

This Volunteers’ Week is our chance to acknowledge our brilliant teams of volunteers who give their time freely, helping out at events or spending their Sunday morning running around a London park dressed as Santa Claus or Superman!

Take a look at our volunteering opportunities over the next few months, including the prestigious Drapers Independent Awards (September), where the finest independent retailers gather to honour the best in the industry. Or you can volunteer at the Textile Forum (October) where London’s premiere fashion fabrics show is hosted at the gorgeous Marylebone One in central London.

If you prefer something more challenging, you can raise money for FTCT grants and sign up for the Parallel run, a unique event in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Park. You can push a wheel-chair, run 5k or 10k or 100 metres or just stroll through the course. There’s also a super sensory course; truly an event for all abilities and all the family! Or maybe dressing up as Santa Claus in December is your thing? It’s certainly a great way to get a team of family or friends together to kick off the festive season! Download our fundraising pack for more information.

Whatever you prefer, volunteering can be a great way to give back to our friends and colleagues in the UK fashion and textile industries.

(Main photo by Tom Howard)