5 November is International Volunteer Managers Day – a day dedicated to recognising the work volunteer managers do to support and mobilise the world’s volunteers.
All over the world, volunteers make a difference every day, and we are so grateful for everyone who has chosen to dedicate their time to Guide Dogs. And we are also incredibly proud of our wonderful volunteer managers – the ones who provide day to day support for all 17,000 of our fantastic volunteers.
Volunteers make everything we do possible. From opening their homes to our puppies and dogs, raising money to support our life-changing work, driving people and dogs all over the country, and so much more, volunteers are a vital part of the Guide Dogs community and their volunteer manager is there to support them every step of the way.
Whether it's our Puppy Development Advisors and Supervisors supporting our puppy raisers through the sleepless nights; Community Fundraising Relationship Managers helping raise the funds that make it all possible; our wonderful Volunteering Team providing day to day support to all our volunteers; and so many more - whatever their role, volunteer managers are here for our volunteers.
Last month we asked our volunteers to share their messages of thanks for their volunteer managers. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent in a message, it is lovely to see the impact that our volunteer managers have had. We have passed on all the comments in full, and shared excerpts from the messages here - if you would like to share your own thank you message, please add it in the comments!
Thank you to all our volunteer managers!
"Thanks so much for all you do Liz. It must feel like hard work a lot of the time, but we really appreciate all you do to make volunteering a fun and fulfilling experience. A special thanks just from me for all you have done to support my family over the past few years." - Claire (breeding dog holder, National Centre Tour Guide, speaker, training dog fosterer, fundraiser, and mum of a charity shop volunteer) thanking volunteer manager Liz.
"Gemma has this incredible ability to turn any negative thoughts into something positive and rewarding... I thoroughly enjoy working with her and I know Gemma is always there with her huge personality at the end of the phone supporting me should I need help of any description within my role as a volunteer. I would like to give her a very big thank you." - Sue (local fundraising group assistant coordinator, collection box coordinator, speaker and puppy fosterer), thanking volunteer manager Gemma.
"Gemma's bubbly, fun personality means that she is willing to join in anything asked of her. This was particularly apparent when on a recent photo shoot and she was asked to jump up and down with squeaky toys to keep the puppies and a guide dog's attention. Her star jumps were magnificent!" - Janet (fundraising group coordinator) thanking volunteer manager Gemma.
"Thanks to Puppy Development Supervisor Jenny M and Puppy Development Advisor Jenny S for their continued support and for all their hard work and preparation that goes into the puppy classes and workshops that they organise." - Pat and John (puppy raisers), thanking volunteer managers Jenny and Jenny.
"You have made me feel part of the team and have encouraged me to feel empowered and free to get on with the tasks required. This is helping to build my confidence and I now feel that I'm starting to add value." - Sarah (dog wellbeing volunteer), thanking volunteer manager Natalie.
"We feel supported and valued by Leanne in our roles which makes it enjoyable for us, encourages us to do as much as we can for these life changing pups and the charity in general." - Sharon and Simon (puppy raisers, puppy fosterers, and fundraisers) thanking volunteer manager Leanne.
"Thank you Boo, for being a brilliant Puppy Development Advisor, supporter, encourager, and enabler! You rock!" - Karen (puppy raiser) thanking volunteer manager Boo.
"I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Annette for all she has done for me. Since we first met 2 years ago she's been my point of contact for advice and support with my volunteer role, I wish her and her family all the best." - Lee (fundraiser), thanking volunteer manager Annette.
"I would love to say a huge thank you to Rachel. She is a fantastic advocate for Guide Dogs. She understands our needs when fostering but most importantly understands and communicates what the dogs need. She is always on hand to offer support, advice and updates. Our volunteering experience has been excellent and a large part of that is due to Rachel. She is amazing." - Jo (puppy fosterer), thanking volunteer manager Rachel.
"I can't thank my manager enough for the continuity and support." - Susan (puppy raiser), thanking volunteer manager Rebecca.
"Thanks for all you do, I know this has been a difficult run for you with the ever changing dogs you had but you do a fantastic job!" - Natasha (training dog fosterer) thanking volunteer manager Faith.
To find out more about how to join our volunteering community, and how our volunteer managers will welcome and support you, please visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/.
