Volunteers' Week 2026 - A Time to Say Thank You!

Here are some of the amazing things our Crohn’s & Colitis UK volunteers achieved in 2025:

• 90 Information Feedback Volunteers and 30 Clinical Reviewers and Approvers reviewed our information resources. Thanks to them, we were able to update 18 existing resources and the launch of five new resources.
• 72 volunteers supported us and our incredible runners at cheer points and race receptions at five running events last year.
• Over 150 in person events and activities were held by our Local Network volunteers in 2025 enabling people to meet and support each other in their local area.
• Six new volunteers joined our Young Adults Advisory Panel for 18-29 year olds. Their contributions give us a fresh perspective on the charity’s work.
• 14 Research Champions volunteered across 20 projects.
• Four lived experience representatives served on Research Strategy & Funding. Committee, contributing to Research Strategy development and development of the new remit for the 2026 Research Grant call. 
• Volunteers helped facilitate 63 Virtual Social Events in 2025 enabling 640 people to connect and support each other. This included a new ‘Young Adults’ event.
• Four lived experience representatives served on the Research Awards Panel, involved in the review of 18 Outline Applications and 8 Full Applications with the award of four new research projects at the end of 2025. 
• Plus so much more besides! Why not sign up and become a volunteer yourself? Learn more here.

What is volunteering like for you?

I had a great time volunteering at the London Marathon cheer point – the atmosphere on the day was absolutely amazing. It was such a positive, uplifting experience, and I felt incredibly proud to be there supporting the runners. I genuinely really enjoyed myself and loved seeing how much the encouragement meant to everyone taking part.

What inspired you to volunteer?

The cause is very close to my heart, as I have ulcerative colitis and proctitis, which made the day even more meaningful for me. It was inspiring to be part of something that supports so many people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis.

What inspired you to volunteer?

I’ve a keen interest in IBD research and find it a great source of optimism for what the future may hold for those living with the disease.

What does your role involve?

Liaising with researches, offering a patient’s perspective and thoughts, communicating updates back to the wider group of research champions as well as offering my thoughts on projects others are working on.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering with Crohn’s & Colitis UK?

You’ll never know how well it may suit you until you try!

What inspired you to volunteer? 

I have always loved “giving back” and have worked in a charity shop for a number of years, but when my son got diagnosed with Crohn’s 12 years ago I wanted to do more for a more specific charity. I am a marketing professional so decided my skills could be best used as a feedback volunteer, and I absolutely love doing it!

What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering with Crohn’s & Colitis UK?

Do it - Volunteering makes such a difference to those you are supporting as well as yourself!
To be appreciated is amazing!

What does your role involve?

I am a Virtual Social Event Co-Host, helping to facilitate conversations and support events for people whose lives have been affected by Crohn's and Colitis, including patients, family members and loved ones. These events create a safe and welcoming environment where people can share their experiences and connect with others, recognising that everyone’s journey with Crohn's and Colitis is unique.

What has been your favourite part about volunteering with us?

Hearing other people’s stories and experiences with IBD. Whether their experiences are similar to my own or completely different, every conversation has been insightful and inspiring. The opportunity to have supportive and respectful discussions with people from a wide range of backgrounds, all brought together by shared experiences of IBD, has been invaluable.

What has been your favourite part about volunteering with us?

My favourite part of volunteering is connecting with people who genuinely understand life with Crohn’s and Colitis. It’s really meaningful to help create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and less alone in what can often be a very isolating experience. I also value being able to draw on my own lived experience to offer reassurance and support to others when they need it most. Crohn’s and Colitis are so different for everyone, so supporting such a diverse community isn’t always straightforward, but I really appreciate how Crohn's & Colitis UK continues to make a genuine effort to support people from all walks of life and stages of their journey.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about volunteering with Crohn’s & Colitis UK?

I’d say go for it. Volunteering with Crohn's & Colitis UK is such a meaningful way to turn your own experience into something that can genuinely help others. You don’t need to have everything figured out or be “fully recovered” - just being able to share your lived experience can make a real difference to someone who feels alone with their diagnosis. 

It’s also been really positive for me personally. It’s helped me rebuild confidence, develop new skills, and connect with people who truly understand what living with Crohn's or Colitis is like. You’re also part of a community that genuinely cares and supports each other, which makes a huge difference.

What’s your most memorable moment as a volunteer?

Rather ironically, its securing my first career job after graduating. I’m now in paid work for another national charity, Royal Voluntary Service, and without having spent the years prior in a voluntary capacity with Crohn’s and Colitis UK, I don’t think I would have had the life experience, or even skills, that I was able to leverage to my advantage and step into paid work straight after graduating.

What difference has volunteering made to your wellbeing?

Volunteering has made a huge difference to my wellbeing. Being able to rub shoulders with people from all different backgrounds and levels of diagnosis has made me a lot more confident in my own body. Every flare up used to seem like a huge deal to me, but now, because of volunteering and speaking others while doing so, I’ve learned how to feel comfortable and guide myself relatively stress free, through any physical or mental challenges that IBD throws at me.

What difference has volunteering made to your wellbeing?

It gives me a purpose. It helps make me feel like I matter. My story helps others which in turn helps me. I love talking to others living with Crohn’s and Colitis. Hearing that I have made a difference to their journey.

Why do you think Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s mission is an important one to support?

For some people, Crohn’s and Colitis can be a scary diagnosis. It feels like it’s still taboo to talk about bowels. Giving newly diagnosed and those living with Crohn’s and Colitis for years support and a safe space to be themselves is needed. It is so easy to become lonely and think that no one understands your struggles.