Submitted by Kelly on 21 Jan 2026 - 1:34pm
Following the success of last year’s Volunteer Celebration event held on Blue Monday, the Volunteering Academy once again brought volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations together to recognise, champion, and celebrate the vital contribution volunteers make locally. On Monday 19 January, the team welcomed 48 attendees representing 18 local organisations. The event created a positive and inclusive space, with plenty of opportunities for participants to get involved, connect with others, and share their experiences using a range of creative and interactive tools. One participant commented that “it was excellent, a cohesive team executed a flawlessly organised event.”
A highlight of the day was an interactive activity led by Chris, who used his artistic talents to create a large illustrated map of Middlesbrough. Participants were invited to add information about their roles and organisations to the map, visually showcasing the diversity and reach of volunteering across the area. This exercise sparked meaningful conversations and offered new insights into local activity, with one attendee reflecting that it was a “good way to see what is going on in the area.”
The Volunteering Academy is led by Ruth Barnes (photo: far left), supported by Volunteer Development Officers Neil Craig (photo: right) and Chris Layfield (photo: middle). Together, the team facilitated discussions exploring the support and services currently available, how volunteers and organisations are engaging with them, and where there may be gaps. Participants were also encouraged to share ideas about what they would like to see from the Volunteering Academy in the future, helping to ensure the service continues to be shaped by the needs of volunteers and volunteering organisations.
The team left the event feeling inspired and encouraged, with a renewed sense of purpose and a strong commitment to building on the ideas and feedback shared throughout the day. The Volunteering Academy team shared the following message:
“Thank you to all the amazing organisations and volunteers who attended and took part in the activities, volunteer mapping, and filming on the day. We simply couldn’t deliver a volunteering service or support as many people across Middlesbrough without your enthusiasm, commitment, and ongoing engagement.”
Over the coming weeks, the team will be collating the feedback and ideas gathered during the discussions, as well as producing a series of short volunteer videos using interviews filmed at the event. These will help showcase the impact, diversity, and value of volunteering across the borough.
If you are a volunteer-involving organisation and would like to learn more about creating meaningful volunteering roles, improving volunteer recruitment or retention, or if you are interested in finding a volunteering opportunity yourself, visit our Volunteering Academy pages or get in touch with the team to find out more:
Call: 01642 803613
Email: hello@volunteeringacademy.org.uk
Follow the Volunteering Academy on Facebook: @volunteeringacademy
