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Volunteers' Picnic 2005

Volunteering is just a walk in the park

Volunteers and staff from three national helplines celebrated Volunteers’ Week with a picnic last Saturday, June 4^th.

Careline and SANELINE joined Get Connected, the helpline finding young people the best help whatever the problem, for an afternoon of food and games in Regent’s Park, London. The event was hosted by Get Connected as part of Volunteers’ Week in order to celebrate volunteers from all three national helplines.

Despite typically changeable English weather, about thirty representatives from the three organisations gathered at the Band Stand in Regent’s Park, sharing food and drink and competing against each other in egg & spoon, wheelbarrow and three-legged races.

Get Connected organised the picnic as a way of saying thank you to its own volunteer Helpline Workers and to give them the opportunity to meet volunteer Helpline Workers from two of its member organisations.

Greta Hughson, volunteer welfare officer for SANELINE, said: "The picnic was a great way to say thank you to our volunteers for all their hard work.

"Everyone really enjoyed themselves, even the rain did not dampen our fun."

Charities such as Get Connected rely on the support and dedication of its volunteers, who devote four hours a week to the helpline and take calls and emails on issues from bullying to homelessness and sexuality to abuse.

“Volunteering has been proven to benefit people’s health and wellbeing,” added Get Connected’s Director Emma Insley, “and we wouldn’t be able to operate such a high quality service for young people in distress without the commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers.”

Get Connected would like to thank everyone from Careline and SANELINE who came along and braved occasional bouts of rain for what turned out to be a lovely afternoon.

Get Connected is always looking for volunteers to answer calls and emails on its helpline. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call 020 7009 2500 or email

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Notes to Editor:

1. Get Connected is a free, confidential telephone and email helpline finding young people the best help, whatever the problem. Available 1pm-11pm every day on 0808 808 4994 or . For more information visit www.getconnected.org.uk
2.  SANELINE is the helpline of Sane, providing information, care and support to anyone affected by mental health problems. It is available 12pm-11pm Monday – Friday and 12pm-6pm Saturday & Sunday. For more information visit www.sane.org.uk
3. Careline provides a telephone crisis counselling service across the UK to children, young people and adults. Available 10am-1pm & 7pm-10pm Monday – Friday. For more information visit www.carelineuk.org
4. Get Connected also involves young people in volunteering through its Young People in Management project. 14 young people between 13 and 18 meet every two months to discuss issues important to Get Connected and once a year young people from across the UK meet at the Youth Annual General Meeting to be consulted on the running of the organisation.
5. Volunteers report increased self-confidence and better career prospects among other benefits, according to Timebank, www.timebank.org.uk