Your October Volunteering UpdateYour October Volunteering Update
Stand Up To Cancer is upon us and I wanted to thank you for all your hard work and passion involved in this annual fundraising campaign. We've already seen some amazing examples of how you're getting involved!
World Mental Health Day was earlier this month and we've shared some resources below to support you.
As a shop volunteer, you’re part of our community of more than 25,000 volunteers doing lots of roles across the organisation. This includes our Campaigns Ambassadors, who support our policy work by campaigning for change. Read on to hear from Simon, who shares his experience in this different type of volunteering role.
Thank you.
Julie Byard, Director of Trading
Cancer Research UK
Standing up to cancer in our shops this autumn
Brought to you by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, Stand Up To Cancer is an annual fundraising campaign that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. You may have seen Stand Up To Cancer being promoted online as well as across Channel 4. And we know that in your shops and superstores, the campaign is in full swing as we aim to raise a grand total of £770,900 in our shops and superstores up and down the UK.
We’ve already seen some amazing fundraising – from climbing up to new heights to fancy dress – and we can’t wait to see what else you get up to as we pull together to accelerate life-saving research. Stand Up To Cancer is a restricted fund, which means 100% of income is spent on research. This means we can get treatments from the lab to patients faster.
This campaign wouldn’t be possible without you kindly lending us your time, creativity, and commitment. Ask your volunteer manager if you’d like to know more about the campaign.
World Mental Health Day: 10 October
Volunteers are the backbone of our charity and your impact is felt across all areas of the organisation. We hugely appreciate your support, and we want to make sure that volunteering with us is a positive experience.
In a recent survey:
- 66% of our volunteers said volunteering is an important part of their identity.
- 50% of our volunteers say they smile more since volunteering.
- 47% of our volunteers report feeling less lonely.
However, we understand that retail can present unique challenges. We have partnered with the Retail Trust to provide you with information on a range of health and wellbeing topics and an option to create a free personalised toolkit of resources to support you. You can register and access more wellbeing content below.
From teapot to masterpiece
Sophie Tea, a British artist known for her bold and colourful work, recently paid our Islington shop a visit. As part of her new art series on social media, Sophie buys items from charity shops, transforms them with her unique painting style and donates them back at no cost.
Back in August, she headed to our Islington shop where she purchased a teapot and within a few hours, she returned to the shop with her creation attracting lots of customers in the shop. We’re really grateful to Sophie Tea for her support and the buzz she created around the shop. The Islington team had quite a day of excitement!
30 years of BRCA
As a volunteer, you play a vital role in making our life-saving research possible. Every hour you give adds up to a huge impact for people affected by cancer.
30 years ago, our scientists were at the forefront of the discovery of the BRCA genes, which revolutionised how we prevent, diagnose and treat certain cancers. Year by year, we're understanding more about cancers caused by faulty BRCA genes, which is helping us save and improve lives.
That’s the impact of #CRUKscience. By giving your time, you’re helping to make this progress possible, and bring us closer to a world where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
After losing my brother to leukaemia 10 years ago and 2 months later my wife being diagnosed with breast cancer, I have always been passionate about the cause, and I really wanted to do more than just fundraise.
- Simon, Campaign Ambassador.
Having been a dedicated fundraiser for Cancer Research UK for over 20 years, Simon started volunteering as a Campaigns Ambassador in December 2023. After an initial conversation with the Campaigns team, Simon’s fundraising group was invited to the Houses of Parliament by their local MP.
"Campaigning with Cancer Research UK has helped take my involvement one step further by playing a part in shaping the future of how our governments can make developments in cancer research, diagnosis and care going forwards.”
We're here to support you
Cancer Chat
A moderated discussion forum where you can talk to others affected by cancer, share experiences and get support.
Talk to our nurses
If you’ve got questions about cancer, it's easy to call our nurses on freephone Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Volunteer Hub
Find useful information and resources for volunteers and stay up to date with the latest news and updates.
If you received a link to this information by text message it is because you volunteer in one of our shops. If you’re no longer volunteering with us, please email us at volunteering@cancer.org.uk.