A unique volunteer recognition scheme is launching in Hackney and Havering after securing funding from the National Lottery. ValueYou (www.valueyou.org) provides a volunteer discount card for individuals volunteering 100 hours or more per year to charities, hospitals and community groups. The scheme launched in Hackney at the start of Volunteers’ Week 2018 in Hackney.
The ValueYou initiative started in London, where it currently runs in thirteen boroughs with more than 400 independent high street businesses taking part. More than 40 businesses have already signed up within and around Hackney, with local businesses including including Salt the Radish in Finsbury Park and Botanique Workshop in Stoke Newington.
Founded as a charity by a junior doctor who wanted to thank hospital volunteers, ValueYou has grown thanks to charitable grants. Founder Dr. Kieran Mullan said “Volunteers make a huge contribution, and now local businesses will get the chance to give them a well-deserved pat on the back. They are doing that on behalf of all of us for all our great volunteers across Hackney.”
VCH’s Head of Volunteering Rupal Karia said “We are very excited to partner with Value You to acknowledge the fantastic contribution volunteers make in Hackney”.
Kat Haliday, owner of Salt the Radish café said ““We’re excited to take part in this scheme which enables us to show appreciation for the local volunteers. We at Salt the Radish want to be part of the community and say thank you to the people making it better for us all. Knowing the difference that volunteers make, joining the ValueYou scheme was an easy decision.”
Hackney based charities and volunteers who would like a ValueYou card can register online at www.valueyou.org or complete an application form – simply call or text 07585961240 to request one. The card is free for volunteers and is designed as a thank you for the hours volunteers give to organisations, many of which would struggle to operate without their support.