Volunteer Voice

Our 2026 Volunteer Voice survey shows volunteers remain highly engaged, with an overall engagement score of 8.2/10. The highest-scoring statements reveal particular strengths in how volunteers experience Sue Ryder.

We were really pleased that two of the highest scoring statements were:

• ‘Sue Ryder is a great place to volunteer’
• 'I feel valued and respected by my manager'
• 'I feel that people from all cultures and backgrounds are respected'

This is excellent. It tells us that our volunteers generally enjoy being a part of Sue Ryder and feel happy in their roles, which is great to see.

While all statements had high scores, the survey also highlighted opportunities to make the volunteer experience even better. Volunteers would like more chances to connect and collaborate with one another, more development opportunities, and help to understand the wider organisation

These insights will help us plan for the year ahead. Look out for updates about this in the volunteer newsletter.

You can find out more about the survey results below.

Using the feedback you shared in the 2025 Volunteer Voice survey, our Volunteering team created a plan to make your volunteering experience even better. Below is an overview of some of the changes we have been able to put in place thanks to the thoughts you shared.

You said: that you would like to be more informed of what is going on in Sue Ryder.

We did:

• We made changes to our monthly volunteering e-newsletter, meaning we can now send it to even more of you.
• We created a new monthly email to volunteer line managers which highlights important things we would like them to share with their teams.
• We introduced a regular video update from our Chief Executive, James Sanderson.

You said: that it was important to you that achievements are shared and celebrated.

We did:

• We added a new ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award to the Sue Ryder Values in Practice (VIP) Awards.
• We nominated more volunteers for both internal and external awards.
• We have continued to send long service certificates and make thank you calls to celebrate your volunteering milestones.
• We created a new way for our colleagues to show their appreciation with the introduction of a form for staff to request thank you cards for volunteers.
• We celebrated volunteer achievements during Volunteers Week, in our monthly e-newsletter and also in the annual Impact Report.
• We have shared more of your stories on our social media channels, in our volunteer e-newsletter, and in internal blogs and articles.

You said: you would like more opportunities to enhance skills.

We did:

• In October, we hosted Careers Month, providing resources and workshops to help volunteers who want to use their skills and experience in the paid job market.
• We added new resources and information to our Training and Development opportunities page on the Volunteering Hub.
• We have continued to include job and training opportunities in the monthly volunteer e-newsletter.
• We have adapted our online training for all volunteers, and this can now be accessed on the Volunteering Hub.

You said: that it was important to you that we genuinely prioritise volunteer wellbeing.

We did:

• We created an area on the Volunteering Hub with resources, signposting and hints and tips. We called this section Health and Happiness, as you told us that this meant more to you that the word wellbeing.
• We launched the Volunteer Inclusion Passport. This tool is vital for helping us understand and meet the individual needs of our volunteers.
• We created resources for our teams to use when supporting volunteers locally.
• As part of our commitment to your wellbeing, we've set up a new annual wellbeing check for all volunteers.

You said: that you would like more opportunities to connect with other volunteers and the wider Sue Ryder community.

We did:

• This year, our hospices invited more volunteers from other parts of Sue Ryder to their events than ever before.
• In December, we held an online quiz and invited all our volunteers. The invite for this was shared in our volunteering e-newsletter and on our Volunteer Facebook group.