All the latest volunteering news

Two female volunteers sorting clothing in a charity shop

A message from Julie

Spring is here and the lighter days bring brighter colours, refreshed wardrobes, and optimism. I hope you’re keeping well and looking after yourselves and each other.

In recent good news, I’m delighted to announce that Cancer Research UK has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation - the UK quality standard for volunteer management.

The amazing relationships between our volunteers and our staff are what drive our progress in communities across the UK. So achieving this award is our public commitment to providing a great experience for the people like you who give us so much.

As part of that commitment, we’ve recently updated our fair treatment policy to ensure that our volunteers are always treated in the right way and have the best possible experience, which you can read about below. It also highlights what to do if your experience is not as expected – all feedback from our volunteers is so important and helps shape the future of volunteering.

Take care
Julie

Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK

Our fair treatment policy

Two women smiling

Volunteering is usually a positive experience for both the volunteer and for Cancer Research UK. But it’s important that we have guidance in place to handle any complaints in a fair, transparent and consistent manner.

We've just updated our fair treatment policy and remember that you can talk to your manager or contact the Volunteering Team with feedback at any time.
 
Read our commitment to you

Introducing our new strategy

A male and a female scientist in a research lab

We’ve been making life-saving discoveries for 120 years. But we need to go further and faster. Together we can turn research discoveries into hope for millions of people.

Our new strategy – released this month – will help us do just that. We will work towards five strategic objectives, that set out how we’ll create a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

Watch this two-minute summary 

Volunteering during Ramadan

A woman in a beige hijab drinking from a bowl

Next month, some of you may be observing the month of Ramadan, along with many Muslims across the world. It's a time of fasting, reflection, prayer and community. The dates of Ramadan change each year and for 2022 it's expected to begin on Saturday 2 April and finish with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday 2 May. Though it may vary by one day as the Islamic calendar is based on the moon.

Here are a few ways you can support your fellow volunteers who may be observing:

  • Be patient with other volunteers who are fasting.

  • Avoid eating and drinking during shifts and offering food/drink to others who are fasting.

  • Bear in mind that it will be different for everyone and individuals will have different needs – talk to your fellow volunteers to see if there’s anything you can do to support them.

  • Speak to your manager if you yourself are fasting and need support.

Do you observe Ramadan? What does this mean to you and your volunteering?  Let us know.

Share your story

A group of volunteers wearing blue hats and World Cancer Day bibs

"A fun day out in the rain and the wind" 

Shout out to the Costorphine Superstore and South Clerk Street Shop who teamed up for their fundraising for World Cancer Day! Taking full advantage of the Six Nations rugby match at the Murrayfield stadium, they braved the elements to raise £553.17.

Thanks to everyone who got involved with this year's fundraising. You raised over £446k – more than double the fundraising target and enough to fund a PhD student in London for a full year!

What's coming up ...

A woman and child baking a cake for the bake off

Please tell us how we're doing

Creating a welcoming and inclusive culture to volunteer in feels more important now than ever. So we’ll be contacting all of our volunteers asking you how included and welcome you feel at Cancer Research UK. We want to know what we’re doing well and whether we can be doing anything better. Please look out for this email in April (originally scheduled for February) and share your views. The survey will be anonymous.

Talk Cancer free, live online workshop

Our next workshop for individuals is happening on 7 April 2022. This interactive, two-hour session is suitable for anyone wanting to build their confidence and skills to have supportive conversations with others about reducing their risk of cancer, the importance of spotting cancer early and making healthy changes.

More information
 

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer

This joint campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 will return to our screens in the spring, seeing celebrity contestants putting their skills to the test in the Bake-Off tent. Look out for our fabulous new range of limited stock, it’s bound to sell like hotcakes…
All the info you knead