Volunteers’ Week is taking place this year from 3-9 June 2024. Celebrate and recognise the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the nation.
We actually think every week should be Volunteers’ Week… because we couldn’t do what we do without our incredible team of volunteers – our Zero Food Waste Heroes! Before finding out what our volunteers do, here is some info about Volunteers’ Week.
What is Volunteers’ Week?
Volunteers’ Week in the UK is an annual celebration that usually takes place during the first week of June. It is a time to recognise, celebrate, and thank volunteers for their invaluable contributions to communities and various organisations across the country. The event is organised by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) in partnership with Volunteer Scotland, Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland), and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).
During Volunteers’ Week, various events and activities are held, including award ceremonies, community events, social media campaigns, and special initiatives to highlight the diverse range of volunteering activities and to encourage more people to get involved. The week also provides an opportunity for volunteer-involving organisations to promote the benefits of volunteering and to recruit new volunteers.
So, what do Plan Zheroes volunteers do?
There are lots of volunteering roles at Plan Zheroes but the majority of people help at our surplus food collections at Borough Market and Kings Cross Market. Almost every day of the week (Tuesday – Sunday at Borough Market and Thursday – Friday at Kings Cross Market) our volunteers visit the very generous traders to collect any surplus food they have each day and take it to our collection point.
They weigh the food and note down the quantities so we can calculate equivalent meals being saved and reduction in CO₂. Then, local charities and community groups come to our collection point to share out the surplus food and get it to people who really need it.
We also have a team of cyclists who deliver surplus food from the collection to local charities.
Don’t just take our word for it!
Hear from some of our Borough Market volunteers about why they love volunteering with Plan Zheroes.
I love volunteering with Plan Zheroes as it enables me to be a member of a diverse community that genuinely delivers a positive social and environmental impact.
Heath, Borough Market Cyclist
Volunteering with PZ gives me comfort in the knowledge that I’m able to give something really tangible back to my community and the thanks of the people we distribute to are really heartfelt. The PZ volunteers are a real community of their own, friendly, supportive and committed.
Hannele, Borough Market Volunteer
Are you looking for a new volunteering opportunity in London? Want to join our amazing volunteer team?
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