Special event celebrates Caritas volunteers

Date Published: 12 Jun 2024
Large group of Caritas volunteers all standing together smiling at camera
Last week we celebrated national Volunteers’ Week by sharing a range of content on our website and social media, and also by holding a very special event to say thank you to everyone who gives their time to help us support local people.

Person standing holding a drink and smiling as they talk to a seated person

We have more than 260 amazing volunteers who support our various services and departments across Greater Manchester and Lancashire and we simply couldn’t continue our work alongside people facing acute crisis without them.

Caritas Salford director Patrick O'Dowd talking in front of a screen that says Thank you to our volunteers and a Caritas pop up banner

Patrick O’Dowd, our director, said: “We try to thank and celebrate our volunteers all year round, but marking a special national event such as Volunteers’ Week is a great way to really shine a spotlight on everything they do to support our charity.
“The roles of our volunteers are so incredibly diverse and we are really privileged to have the support of so many who share their skills and experiences to help us work alongside people who are changing their lives with dignity.
“It was wonderful to gather together with some of those volunteers who were able to attend the event last week and to say thank you and mark the occasion all together socially.  I’d like to thank each and every person who selflessly gives their time in support of our work.  It really is appreciated.”

Bishop John Arnold talking to Caritas Salford volunteers

At the celebration event, Bishop John Arnold, also spoke passionately to the volunteers who were in attendance. He said:  “It is my pleasure to give thanks to you all.  But, in some ways, how sad it is that all of your very good work is needed in the first place…we have the fifth most prosperous nation in the world so how can it be that 42% of our children in Greater Manchester are living in poverty? Something is very wrong.
“We show our love through loving our neighbour, which is practically what you all do…there is so much work to be done, but we must not get downhearted about it.  Everyone has our part to play and nothing that we do is insignificant when we’re trying to love those around us.
“Things can and will get better, probably very slowly, but learning lessons in our world today. Thank you for all that you do, and for all those you represent and let’s be determined to make our efforts count. No matter how insignificant it may seem at times. We are in fact making a big difference in the world.”

Person sitting at a table talking to people

For more information on how you can join our team of volunteers at Caritas click this link now: https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/volunteer/

Or, if you’d like to chat about ways you can support Caritas through volunteering, why not contact Matt from our team who would be happy to help: Email volunteering@caritassalford.org.uk or call 0161 817 2250. 

Thanks again to every one of our volunteers and to those considering becoming a volunteer too.

Person wearing volunteer lanyard sitting talking to other volunteers in a group

Person seated at volunteer event looking off camera

Man standing at event smiling at camera. Other attendees can be seen in background

Two volunteers posing in front of Caritas banners and signs smiling at camera

Man playing keyboard

Two caritas volunteers talking at a table

Two volunteers holding a large logo which says Kings Award for Voluntary Service

Group photo of Caritas volunteers smiling together. One is holding a Kings Award for Voluntary Service logo

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