News Story
Reflecting on Volunteers’ Week 2026
News Story
One week on from Volunteers’ Week 2026, we want to take a moment to say a sincere thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and passion to support FareShare Greater Manchester. These stories highlight the impact of volunteering in Manchester and the difference volunteers make to communities across Greater Manchester.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether they’re helping to sort and distribute surplus food in our warehouse, supporting community food members with deliveries, taking part in our Give and Gain employability programme or helping us with fundraising and admin work, their contribution helps us make a real difference every single day.
This year, Volunteers’ Week gave us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on just a few of the incredible individuals who help make our work possible.
Throughout the week, we shared the stories of three inspiring volunteers: Tom, Kemi and Kelly.
Tom’s journey into volunteering was unexpected, but through his commitment and enthusiasm he has become a valued member of our team while building confidence and developing new skills.
Kemi joined FareShare Greater Manchester after hearing about the charity through a friend. Since then, she has become a reliable and positive presence in our warehouse, always willing to help and support others.
Kelly’s story demonstrates the transformative impact volunteering can have. After joining our Give & Gain Employability Programme, she secured a new role with Greggs and continues to volunteer, giving back to her community while inspiring others through her experience.
While each volunteer’s journey is unique, their stories share a common thread: the power of people coming together to support their communities and create positive change.
Of course, these three volunteers represent a much larger team. Last year, 209 volunteers donated an amazing 23,962 hours of their time to support our work. Together, we work to fight hunger, reduce food waste and strengthen communities across Greater Manchester. Their collective efforts ensure that good-to-eat surplus food reaches the charities and community groups that need it most.
Throughout Volunteers’ Week this year, we offered our volunteers a hot breakfast to start each day and on Friday, we hosted a barbecue to say thank you too.
As a small token of our appreciation, every volunteer received a handcrafted wooden coaster made by our sister organisation, Touch Wood. Created using reclaimed wood that might otherwise have gone to waste, the coasters reflect the values shared across the EMERGE Collective: creating social and environmental impact through the power of reuse.
While a coaster can never fully express our gratitude, we hope it serves as a reminder of the difference our volunteers make and how much their support is valued.
If you’re inspired by these stories, find out how to volunteer in Manchester and get involved.
Volunteers’ Week may only last seven days, but the impact of volunteering is felt throughout the year. Every food delivery made, every pallet sorted, every conversation shared and every skill developed contributes to building a stronger, more sustainable community.
To all our volunteers: thank you for your dedication, generosity and commitment. FareShare Greater Manchester simply couldn’t do what we do without you.
We look forward to continuing this journey together.
If you would like to find out more about Volunteering and Employability with FareShare Greater Manchester, please check out our Volunteering webpage.
