Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2026 at SSAFA

01 June 2026

Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1 to 7 June 2026. It gives us an opportunity to recognise the contribution volunteers make across SSAFA every day.

Our volunteers are central to everything we do. Across the UK and overseas, they support serving personnel, veterans and their families with care, commitment and understanding. Their work helps ensure that no one in the Armed Forces community has to face challenges alone.

Volunteers support SSAFA in many different ways. Some are involved in casework, working directly with individuals and families. Others contribute through mentoring, fundraising, community engagement, events, or behind-the-scenes support. Every role plays a part in delivering the help people need, when they need it.

Our most recent figures show the difference that combined effort has made:

  • 50,761 people supported across all services
  • 5,489 visits and cases handled, offering practical and emotional support
  • 1,945 people supported through mentoring
  • 13,337 individuals supported through our Serving Community Teams
  • 2,292 veterans supported through the Veterans in the Criminal Justice System (VCJS) service
  • 54 families supported through short breaks
  • 3,100 people taking part in challenge and fundraising events

These figures reflect the scale of SSAFA’s work, but they are only part of the picture. Behind each number is a person or family with their own story. Often, it is the smaller moments that stay with people most. Someone taking the time to listen, a volunteer offering reassurance, or practical support that helps make life more manageable.

Volunteers’ Week is, above all, a chance to say thank you.

To all SSAFA volunteers, your time and dedication make a lasting difference. Whether you have been involved for many years or have recently joined, your contribution matters.

We are also grateful to the wider SSAFA community who support and work alongside our volunteers. Together, this partnership enables us to deliver vital services to those who rely on us.


What’s on this Volunteers’ Week?

This year, we will be shining a spotlight on some of our volunteers. We will be sharing their experiences, what motivates them, and the advice they would give to others who may be thinking about getting involved.

Follow SSAFA on social media throughout the week to read their stories and find out more.

We will also be running several informal online ‘Brew Up’ sessions, giving volunteers the chance to connect with others across the organisation.

If you would like to take part in acknowledging SSAFA’s volunteers, you can also share a message of thanks and help celebrate their dedication this Volunteers’ Week. You can get involved here: Thank our volunteers 2026.


Celebrating together

Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to reflect on the difference we make together. Across SSAFA, teams and communities will be recognising achievements, sharing experiences and taking a moment to appreciate the work that has been done over the past year.

Stories from volunteers and those they support help bring this work to life. They remind us why it matters and show the real impact of volunteering.


Looking ahead

As the needs of the Armed Forces community continue to change, volunteers will remain an essential part of how SSAFA responds.

By working together, we can continue to strengthen the support we offer and reach more people who need help.