In the run up to the Coronation Big Help Out – a government initiative aiming to engage community from across Britain – The Guardian* reported that ‘volunteering is at a historic low in England’ due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The article quoted from the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) UK Giving report which states that ‘only 13% of people said they volunteered in the last year, compared with 17% pre-pandemic.’
Keswick Ministries is a charity that runs an annual 3-week Christian convention in the Lake District which couldn’t happen without the hundreds of volunteers who give their time to make the event happen. The event welcomes a variety of ages from 18 (minimum age) through to over 65s volunteering together across different teams with a real sense of community and joy.
Pre-pandemic, around 500 volunteers were serving annually at the Convention and in 2023, volunteer spaces are now oversubscribed with more than 580 signed up to volunteer. Keswick Ministries supporters are an exception to the ‘sharp decline’ in volunteers nationally.
Volunteering is still important, and on the rise, for those giving their time to a cause they are truly passionate about supporting.
“Volunteering feels like I’m serving with friends from across the UK, I love the amazing surroundings.” – 2022 Convention volunteer
Keswick Convention is a unique Christian event attracting some 12,000 people to Keswick annually. The 2023 event will take place from 15th July to 4th August 2023 and is free for everyone to attend (kids and youth programmes require registration).
Join us in praying for the volunteers, speakers, contributors, and staff team as planning for Keswick Convention 2023 continues.