This week is Volunteers’ Week, so we took the opportunity to invite our over 100 volunteers to our annual ‘volunteer thank you’ celebration. Despite the unpredictable weather, everyone enjoyed some time to socialise, make new connections, have some lovely food prepared by the Vine Road Community Café, as well as a glass or two of wine!

We often mention how important our volunteers are, and this occasion gave us the opportunity to reinforce that message in person. Volunteers continue to be at the heart of all our work, they are vital, not only getting stuck in with the various tasks donating thousands of hours of their time, but also acting as our champions outside of their roles, helping raise awareness, introducing new volunteers and donating to fundraising campaigns. Without them, Barnes Common would not be the organisation it is today. We recently asked the staff and trustees what our volunteers mean to them, and I think we can all agree with their responses:

Without our volunteers…

…we could not exist.

…we would not engage the whole community in all our activities.

…our impact would not be so great!

…we would have a lot less fun.

…we would struggle to be understood in the community.

…we would not have so much expert knowledge available to us.

…we can do things that are not directly funded.

…we wouldn’t be able to collect valuable data that contributes to the health of the Beverley Brook.

…nature’s voice would be quieter along our rivers and commons.

…we couldn’t protect the green and blue spaces we all love.

…every litter pick, wildlife survey, and habitat restoration would be a task left undone.

…future generations might never know the beauty we’re working to protect today.

…we would not meet so many lovely people!

…Barnes Common would be uncommonly incomplete.

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!