The Importance of Volunteers’ Week

This week (3-9 June) is Volunteers’ Week, an opportunity to say thank you to everyone who gives their time to help others. I wholeheartedly believe that time is both the most important thing that you can ask of anyone and the most important thing that any of us can give. Across the UK, more than 14 million people volunteer formally through a club, group, or organisation, but as many as half of us volunteer informally by helping others out. This is an exceptional number and a group I am humbled to be part of.

I’m proud that I’m able to contribute to causes that matter to me – the Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh Award, for example. Being able to give my time and energy to support young people to achieve their potential is hugely satisfying. Since last June, that has included being chair of the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) International Award Sustainability 70 Steering Group (SG70), which is also supported by my life partner and joint CEO of Regent Group, Tharshiny. Together, we are working to secure the financial future of the award ahead of its 70th anniversary in 2026.

My family and I have also been able to put our time and energy into another cause that matters enormously to us: peace. Tharshiny and I both arrived in the UK as young people fleeing civil war in Sri Lanka. The Global Unity Forum, which we established in 2017 and is run with so much energy by the Regent Group family, works to promote unity, peace, and understanding across different nations and communities.

If you’re interested in volunteering, this week is the perfect time to start – there’s information on the Volunteers’ Week website, including how to find volunteering opportunities. Time is precious – let’s use it well.