As National Volunteers’ Week (Monday 2nd-Sunday 8th June) gets underway, Northampton Saints Foundation are taking the opportunity to shine a light on the incredible people who give their time, energy, and compassion to support our work.
Over the past academic year, our volunteers have donated thousands of hours across our departments from heritage and fundraising to memory cafe support and youth mentoring.
In recognition of their dedication, the Foundation held a lunch on Wednesday 4th June at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to say thank you.
Guests were welcomed by Jordan Letts, CEO of the Foundation, who emphasised their invaluable impact and expressed gratitude for their continued support.
Our fundraising volunteers play a crucial role in helping the Foundation raise the vital funds we need to keep our services running. We are incredibly grateful to the 17 individuals who support events and community fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
Over the past two years, as part of the heritage departments Black, Green and Golden Age of Northampton Saints project, seven regular volunteers, along with many more supporting through Approved Business Finance on an ad hoc basis have contributed an incredible 1,456 hours. Their work in preserving and sharing the club's rich history helps strengthen the connection between our past and the present community.
At our monthly memory cafe, an average of 10 volunteers offer their time to create a warm, welcoming space for those living with memory challenges. Together, they contribute over 300 hours annually with practical support and companionship to attendees and their careers.
Sue, a volunteer from the Foundation’s memory cafe said “It gives me a sense of being, a sense of well-being as well because we do some lovely activities”.
On our Aspire programme which supports young people on their educational journeys, taught in partnership with Northampton College, is proud to have one dedicated classroom volunteer, Alan Longland. He has given 130 hours of his time this year to support 10 young people, as well as time on our heritage project.
We were also thrilled to welcome corporate volunteers from Barclays with nine staff members who volunteered a total of 90 hours, delivering a workshop on financial crime.
Robert Adamson, an Operations Manager for Customer Fraud and Dispute at Barclays said “We come to the Foundation to speak to the young people and give them the skills to keep themselves safe from financial crime, because of the type of demographic, they don't have the best of journeys in mainstream schooling. What we try and do is to equip them with skills to spot the risks and to share that with their friends and family".
Lastly, we’d like to say thank you to our trustees who help set the strategic direction of the Foundation and ensure the Foundation is meeting our ambition and doing so safely and lawfully.
Whether it’s supporting people with dementia, helping young people build brighter futures, helping with fundraising or ensuring our heritage is preserved, we are incredibly grateful for our volunteers.
Numerous studies show that volunteering is linked to improved mental wellbeing, helps reduce stress, combat loneliness, and gives individuals a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
This Volunteers’ Week, we celebrate you, thank you.
If you'd like more information about becoming a volunteer we'd love to hear from you, please email [email protected]
