A person is standing and cheering outside at the London Landmarks Half Marathon. They're wearing a green Macmillan top and holding a green maraca in their left hand. On their head is a gold hat with red tassles.

Volunteers' Week

3 - 9 June 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week – a UK-wide celebration that shines a light on the incredible impact that volunteers make in communities.

How our volunteers make a difference

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Over 11,000 volunteers
In 2023, over 11,000 volunteers gave their time, energy and experience to support people living with cancer.
A stopwatch on a light green background.
100,000 volunteer hours
In 2023, Macmillan volunteers gave over 100,000 hours of their time to support people living with cancer.
A dark green money collection tin on a light green background.
Helped raise £30 million
Our fundraising volunteers supported 139 events across the UK in 2023, helping Macmillan to raise £30 million.
Discover more about volunteering

What volunteering opportunities are available at Macmillan?

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Join an information session
Hear about all our volunteer roles, explore which role suits you best and put your questions to staff and volunteers. Sign up to a session here.
The big help out in large bright letters with illustrations of a hammer and a teapot
Get involved in the Big Help Out
The Big Help Out (7-9 June) is an initiative aimed at encouraging even more people to become part of the volunteering community. Get involved here.
Bianca is seen outside and is wearing a maroon jacket and a Macmillan branded lanyard. Behind her is a river and some bridges.
Become a Macmillan Buddy
As a Macmillan Buddy, you'll be paired with a person living with cancer and offer them weekly support in their community and home, or over the phone.
A woman is standing outside on a road. She is cheering on runners who pass by and is handing one a cup of water.
Volunteer at our events
Throughout the year, we need people to cheer on Team Macmillan at events across the UK. With your support, we can celebrate those who raise money for Macmillan and spread awareness of our vital work.
Two people are sat down in lounge chairs. One person appears to be a Macmillan volunteer or employee.
Help at one of our Support Centres
There are opportunities to get involved in the support we provide at some of our Support Centres. From lending a listening ear to providing a cup of tea, your help will support people with cancer and those that care for them.
A man with a Macmillan bucket in a Boots store
Take part in Corporate volunteering
If you work for an organisation that is one of our corporate partners, there may be opportunities for you and your colleagues to volunteer for Macmillan. To find out more, email our Corporate Partnerships team.
Discover all volunteering opportunities
A group of volunteers are standing behind a green barrier at an event. The volunteers are cheering on event participants. The volunteers are wearing green Macmillan branded t-shirt and some are holding Macmillan branded balloons.

A message from Macmillan's Director of Volunteering

Read our Volunteers' Week 2024 blog to hear from Chris Parker, the Director of Volunteering at Macmillan, as he shares his appreciation for our volunteers as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Volunteers' Week.
Read the blog

Stories from our volunteers

Asha on being a Macmillan Buddy
Whilst visiting her brother in hospital, Asha became inspired to help support people living with cancer. Her role as a volunteer has helped many people over the years, and helped her community to be more open about cancer. 
A happy man holding a Macmillan bucket, talking to a Boots customerA happy man holding a Macmillan bucket, talking to a Boots customer
Jez on being a fundraising volunteer
Alongside volunteering for Macmillan as a Macmillan buddy, Jez is also part of the Fundraising Action Team and supports the Corporate Partnerships team with Charity of The Year activities and more.
Mario, a Macmillan Information and Support ProfessionalMario, a Macmillan Information and Support Professional
Mario on volunteering in a Support Centre
Following treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Mario started volunteering at a Macmillan Support Centre. His role has helped bring purpose to his life and to give something back to Macmillan.
Read more stories from our volunteers
A group of Macmillan volunteers are smiling and holding their Thanks to you awards

The Thanks To You Awards

Our annual Thanks to You Awards is our chance to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers, and celebrate the achievements of some extraordinary people who give their time, energy and experience to Macmillan.

Our 2024 winners have now been announced and will be celebrated at a special event in Birmingham on 6 June.

Find out more about the Thanks To You Awards

"Volunteering is about becoming part of something bigger." - Ravinder, Volunteer Ambassador

Other ways to get involved with Macmillan

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Cancer Voices
Our Cancer Voices community brings people with personal experience of cancer together to help improve and influence our work.
Online Community
Our Online Community gives people with cancer and those that care for them an opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with others going through a similar experience.
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Fundraise for Macmillan
Whether you want to join one of our events or take on your own challenge to raise funds for Macmillan, you'll help to make a big difference in the lives of people with cancer.