From March to Whittlesey: Celebrating Volunteering and What’s Next in Fenland

A welcoming space to explore volunteering

Volunteer Fairs play a vital role in helping people take that first step into volunteering. While online portals such as Volunteer Cambs offer a wide range of opportunities, many people still value the chance to talk face-to-face, ask questions, and get a feel for organisations before committing.

As Sarah Hall, Fenland Communities Officer, explains:

People often come to us and say that they would love to volunteer but just don’t know where to find out about it. Because of this, we now have Volunteer Cambs — a portal with lots of opportunities. But if you want to come and talk to someone directly, then the Volunteer Fairs are a great way of doing this. Just pop along, have a wander around the various stands, and speak to those you’re drawn to — what a great way of finding out what’s out there for you!

Throughout the day, St Peter’s Church provided a warm and welcoming venue, giving organisations and attendees the space to connect, chat and explore opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Visitors told us they heard about the fair through a variety of channels, including social media, posters, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Jobcentre referrals, Discovering Magazine, word of mouth, and via physical leafleting — highlighting the importance of multi-channel promotion in reaching local communities.

What people said

The feedback from both the public and organisations captured the real value of the day.

From members of the public, many spoke about being surprised by the range of opportunities available:

People shared that they hadn’t realised just how many organisations were active locally, and several left feeling inspired, having already identified at least one organisation they planned to volunteer with, and in some cases, more than one.

For organisations, the fair was about much more than recruitment alone. Networking, collaboration, and shared learning were key themes:

The networking opportunities were fantastic, meeting lots of organisations we can link with. As always, the Volunteer Cambs / Support Fenland team were amazing — so supportive and just lovely.

Others highlighted the positive atmosphere, friendly welcome, and chance to reconnect with fellow community groups — all of which contribute to a stronger voluntary sector across Fenland.

A huge thank you

Events like this don’t happen without collaboration. We’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to:

• All 24 organisations who gave their time and energy
• The members of the public who came along with open minds and enthusiasm
• St Peter’s Church, for making us so welcome
• To Kelly at March Tesco for keeping refreshments flowing
• Fen Radio, Radio Fenland and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire for their pre fair support

As Sarah Hall reflected on the day:

A great fair – great support from 24 of our fantastic local organisations, who made the whole event enjoyable and very productive. It was lovely to see the public coming in, all of whom were genuinely looking to volunteer and had a keen interest in their local community.

Learning and improving together

The evaluation feedback helps us shape future fairs. Organisations shared helpful suggestions all of which we’re taking on board as we plan upcoming events.

Encouragingly, most organisations felt one to two fairs per year in their area was the right balance, showing a strong appetite for these opportunities to continue.

Looking ahead: Whittlesey Volunteer Fair

If you couldn’t make it to March, there’s another opportunity just around the corner.

We’re delighted to be hosting the Whittlesey Volunteer Fair, giving residents the chance to meet local organisations, explore volunteering opportunities, and find a role that fits their interests and availability.

Whittlesey Volunteer Fair 
14 March, 10am to 1pm

Whether you’re brand new to volunteering or looking for a fresh way to get involved, Volunteer Fairs are a welcoming, no-pressure way to discover what’s out there.

Join us and get involved

Volunteering strengthens communities — not just through the hours given, but through the connections formed along the way. If you’re a local organisation interested in taking part in future fairs, or a resident curious about volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we’re building a stronger Fenland, one conversation, one connection, and one volunteer at a time.