News - A Summer of Appreciation for volunteers in Cheshire West

A collective of community sector organisations in Cheshire West have led a successful Summer of Appreciation project, celebrating the real difference volunteers make in local communities.  

The Summer of Appreciation was conceived and led by Storyhouse, in partnership with Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) and six other community sector organisations, providing free events for volunteers to thank them for all they do.  

Events included a Tour of Storyhouse, Discovery Tour at Chester Cathedral, Tour of Chester Zoo, BBQ, Boccia and Bikes at Live! Cheshire, Anderton Boat Lift River Trip, Exclusive Tour of Chester Castle, RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands Walking Tour, and much more.  

The project concluded with around 120 volunteers, their friends and family attending an outdoor cinema screening of Mamma Mia! at Grosvenor Park, hosted by Storyhouse.  

Across more than 30 events, 383 volunteers from 57 different community sector organisations engaged with the Summer of Appreciation, totalling 456 attendances and 1,241 hours of appreciation.  

72 per cent of people who completed post-event feedback said they felt more connected to a wider community of volunteers, 67 per cent felt more valued and appreciated as volunteers, and 96 per cent said they would recommend the Summer of Appreciation to other volunteers.  

Emma Savage, Volunteer Manager at Storyhouse, said: “It’s been great to see volunteers from different organisations talking to each other and finding out what they do. 

“I’ve attended a few of the events, meeting volunteers from around 40 different organisations, so it gives you a great idea of the breadth of what’s going on across our area.” 

Charlotte Houghton, Volunteer Development Officer at Chester Cathedral, added: “It’s been a real joy to hear the positivity not only from our volunteers, but all volunteers across the city. 

“Every tour that people have come on, it’s been nothing but how much they’ve enjoyed it, and how much they’ve valued the opportunity.” 

Didge and Pam, who volunteer at Storyhouse, attended several events through the Summer of Appreciation, and have now started volunteering at Chester Cathedral with English Heritage following their tour.  

Pam commented: “It keeps getting better and better as this volunteer exchange has been brilliant.  

“We didn’t even know Chester Castle was open so one thing leads to another. That’s the exciting thing.  

“The main benefits of volunteering for us are the camaraderie and the friends you make.” 

• View the full Summer of Appreciation report  

CWVA offers a wide range of support to community sector organisations across Cheshire West, codeveloping a Vision for Volunteering, hosting a Volunteer Managers Network, and providing a platform for organisations to showcase their volunteering opportunities.  

• Visit the volunteering platform to find local opportunities  

If your organisation could benefit from support around volunteering, please get in touch with Michael Mitchell, Volunteering Development Officer at CWVA: michael.mitchell@cwva.org.uk.