Test Valley Volunteer Awards 2025

Nominations for this year's awards are now open.

This year's categories are:

  • Volunteer of the Year
  • The Unsung Hero Award
  • Team of the Year Award

Click the button below to find out more and place your nomination.

volunteer winners

Micro-volunteering

Do you wish you could volunteer for a worthy cause, but don't quite have the time to commit?

 

Have you considered micro-volunteering?

 

Click the button below to find out more.

two figures arranging items to show micro volunteering

Andover Vision Year of the Volunteer

The Year of the Volunteer campaign is an ongoing project for 2025 with the goal of enriching Andover's volunteer offering for both prospective volunteers and volunteer organisations.

Click here to find out more.

Andover Vision Year of the Volunteer 2025 logo

Volunteers are the vital lifeline of many charities and community groups, helping deliver valuable services across health, care, culture, sport, and more. There are over 170,000 charities and community groups in the UK of which 1000 are in the Test Valley, who thrive thanks to an army of dedicated volunteers.

One in three adults volunteer once a month, contributing their valuable support, skills and knowledge to charities and communities in need.  And it’s not just about giving - it is about gaining too.

Whatever your reason for volunteering - making friends, gaining skills, or giving back - you’ll likely gain even more in return. And you definitely won’t be alone.



Discover the benefits

Personal Benefits

  • Boost Your Confidence – Feel proud and accomplished.
  • Enhance Mental Wellbeing – Reduce stress, anxiety, and feel more fulfilled.
  • Grow Socially – Build social skills and meet new people.
  • Find Purpose – Make a meaningful impact on what matters to you.
  • Fuel Personal Growth – Learn more about yourself and gain life satisfaction.

Social & Community Benefits

  • Strengthen Community Connections – Get involved and make a difference locally.
  • Make New Friends – Connect with people who share your interests.
  • Create Positive Change – Help others and contribute to causes you care about.

Professional Benefits

  • Build Valuable Skills – Gain hands-on experience and learn new things.
  • Open Career Doors – Discover job opportunities and grow your network.
  • Boost Your CV – Show initiative, commitment, and character to employers.

View volunteering opportunities

Want to see what volunteering opportunities there are in the Test Valley area?

Click on the button below to see what's available.

Illustration of two people holding balloons, with one jumping in excitement, symbolising Unity

Become a volunteer

Volunteering will give you the opportunity to make new friends, connect with your community and gain a sense of achievement.

It can also provide an opportunity to put your life skills to good use or learn new skills.

Tell us about your volunteering opportunities

Are you an organisation who has some volunteering opportunities available? Are you looking for some help with an upcoming project?

Let us know using button below.

Volunteer projects

We currently run two exciting outdoor gardening projects that rely on the assistance of committed volunteers.

Click below for more details.

Illustration of a person examining a large document with charts and graphs, symbolising Unity's volunteer projects.