Volunteers’ Week 2023: 6 books to reflect on volunteering

Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities and a time to look at some books about the subject. It takes place every year from 1st to 7th June.

The week is a chance to say thank you to volunteers for the fantastic work they do, and to raise awareness of the many benefits of volunteering. Volunteers’ Week is also a time to inspire more people to get involved in volunteering, and to show them the many different ways they can make a difference.

There are many different ways to get involved in Volunteers’ Week. You can volunteer for a local charity or community group, or you can simply spread the word about the benefits of volunteering. You can also use social media to share your stories about volunteering, and to encourage others to get involved.

Read more: Want to volunteer? What books to read on International Day of Charity

Best books for Volunteers’ Week

Here are some varied books about volunteers and their experiences, including the ugly side of exploitative volunteering for an honest look:

• Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan. American man volunteers at an orphanage in Nepal, discovers children were trafficked, and sets out to reunite them with their families.
• Ours to Explore: Privilege, Power, and the Paradox of Voluntourism by Pippa Biddle. Voluntourism can be harmful to communities, and it often reinforces global inequality.
• The Voluntourist: A Six-Country Tale of Love, Loss, Fatherhood, Fate, and Singing Bon Jovi in Bethlehem by Ken Budd. A man travels to six countries in an attempt to find himself and make a difference, but he learns that the most important things are found at home.
• When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself by Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert. A book that explores the potential negative consequences of well-intentioned aid, and offers advice on how to help the poor without making things worse.
• The New Breed: Understanding And Equipping The 21st Century Volunteer by Jonathan McKee and Thomas W. McKee. Today’s volunteers are different, and organisations need to adapt their methods to attract and retain them.
• Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love & Adventure in the Congo by Vanessa Woods. A young woman follows her fiancé to war-torn Congo to study extremely endangered bonobo apes. They teach her a new truth about love and belonging.

Want to volunteer?

Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to make a difference in your community. Not to mention, meet new people and learn new skills. So why not get involved this year?

If you’re thinking about volunteering, there are a few things you need to do:

1. Find a cause that you’re passionate about.
2. Find a volunteer opportunity that fits your skills and interests.
3. Contact the organisation to learn more about the opportunity and to sign up.

Therefore, once you’ve found a volunteer opportunity, you’re ready to get started! Be sure to show up on time and be prepared to work hard. Volunteers are essential to the success of many organisations, so your contribution is greatly appreciated. Remember, here is the interview with New York Times journalist and 1,001 Voices on Climate Change author Devi Lockwood on being informed.