As Volunteers’ Week 2026, is celebrated across the UK, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to every volunteer who has supported YMCA Taunton over the past year.
Volunteers are at the heart of our charity. They give their time, skills, experience and enthusiasm to help us create opportunities for children, young people, families and our wider community. Whether they volunteer every week, help at a special event, or share specialist expertise when it is needed, every contribution makes a real difference.
During our 2024/25 reporting year, 28 volunteers contributed more than 1,200 hours to YMCA Taunton. Using recognised volunteer value calculations, this equates to more than £15,000 worth of support. While those figures are impressive, the true value of volunteering goes far beyond numbers.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and represent a wide range of ages and experiences. Together they support an incredible variety of activities across the charity.
Throughout the year volunteers have:
- Made deliveries and collections
- Supported our office team with administration and day-to-day tasks
- Provided IT support and troubleshooting
- Taken photographs at events and activities
- Helped move equipment and resources
- Supported youth groups and activities
- Assisted at community events
- Coached and supported our judo sessions
- Served as Board Members and Trustees, helping to guide the organisation
- Prepared refreshments and welcomed visitors
- Carried out cleaning, DIY and maintenance tasks
- Helped at our youth groups – both with activities and refreshments
Many volunteers also helped make some of our biggest community events possible, including our popular Lego Day and Festive Fayre. Their support behind the scenes, as well as on the day itself, helped create welcoming and enjoyable experiences for hundreds of local people.
Supporting the Next Generation
We are particularly proud of the young volunteers who have chosen to give their time to YMCA Taunton over the past year.
Our young volunteers have supported a variety of activities, from helping at community events to assisting at holiday activities and youth groups. Whether welcoming visitors, serving refreshments, helping with activities or supporting event set-up and clear-up, they have played an important part in creating positive experiences for others.
Volunteering provides valuable opportunities for young people to develop confidence, gain practical experience and build skills that will support them in education, employment and everyday life. Through volunteering, they learn teamwork, communication, responsibility and problem-solving while making a positive contribution to their local community.
One of our young volunteers said:
“Volunteering at YMCA Taunton has really helped me build my confidence. At first I was quite nervous speaking to people I didn’t know, but helping to serve refreshments at events has helped me feel much more comfortable talking to others and being part of a team. It’s also given me experience that I can put on my CV and talk about when applying for jobs in the future.”
Jack – volunteer
We are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm, energy and commitment our young volunteers bring and look forward to seeing them continue to grow and thrive.
Community Spirit in Action
Volunteering at YMCA Taunton takes many forms, and we are incredibly grateful to the businesses, organisations and local residents who have given their time to support us throughout the year.
We were delighted to welcome teams from Equans, Avon & Somerset Police, Bluelight Partnership, and Devon & Cornwall Police who generously volunteered their time to repaint our toilet facilities, helping us maintain a welcoming environment for everyone who visits our centre.
We also held a community “Spruce Up” Day, where volunteers of all ages came together to improve our site. Families spent the day painting, cleaning, tidying outdoor spaces and helping with gardening projects. It was a fantastic example of community spirit, with people giving their time to make YMCA Taunton an even better place for everyone.
Another big thank you goes out to the Achieve Group who frequently help us with gardening jobs, food prep and lots more. We truly appreciate their support.
These acts of kindness and generosity help us care for our facilities and ensure we can continue providing opportunities and activities for local people.
“Our volunteers are an essential part of YMCA Taunton. They generously give their time, energy and skills to support our work and strengthen our community. Whether they are helping at an event, supporting a regular activity, sharing professional expertise or serving as Trustees, their contribution helps us achieve so much more than we could alone. I would also like to thank our staff team, many of whom regularly give up their own time to support events and activities throughout the year. Together, they help make YMCA Taunton the welcoming and supportive community it is. On behalf of everyone at YMCA Taunton, thank you for everything you do.”
Clare Langley, CEO
A Special Thank You To Mike
While every volunteer contribution is valued, we would like to give a special mention to Mike, one of our longest-serving volunteers.
Over many years, Mike has generously given his time, energy and practical skills to support YMCA Taunton in countless ways. His commitment, reliability and willingness to help have made a lasting impact on both the organisation and the people around him.
Mike is currently taking some time away from volunteering, and we know he is greatly missed by staff, volunteers and visitors alike. We would like to send him our very best wishes and thank him for the many years of dedication he has given to YMCA Taunton.
We look forward to welcoming him back when the time is right.
Thank you all
From young volunteers taking their first steps into the world of work, to long-serving volunteers who have supported us for many years, from Trustees providing strategic leadership to families, businesses and community groups giving their time to improve our facilities, every contribution helps YMCA Taunton make a difference.
Together, our volunteers, supporters and staff create a stronger, more connected community, and for that we are incredibly grateful.
Volunteering is about more than giving time. It is about building connections, sharing skills, gaining experience and being part of something positive within the community.
As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week, we want every one of our volunteers to know how much they are appreciated. Your commitment helps YMCA Taunton continue to provide opportunities, support and a sense of belonging for people across our community.
Thank you for being part of our YMCA family.
Interested in Volunteering?
We are always keen to hear from people who would like to get involved and make a difference in their local community.
To find out more about current volunteering opportunities visit our Support Us page or see the Sparkachange website. We would love to welcome you to the team.
