Winchester charity grows with surge in volunteers during National Volunteers Week

Winchester’s Friends of the Family saw a 40% increase in volunteer sign-ups last week after hosting a coffee morning at Rik Stein during National Volunteers Week, tripling the usual attendance. The event, held on June 5, became a hub for locals eager to plug gaps in social services by dedicating their time to families facing hardship. For three decades, the charity—founded by Quakers in 1993—has operated out of Quaker House in central Winchester, offering more than just a safety net: it provides a lifeline where government and education systems fall short.

Trustee Sarah Cootes confirmed that the surge in volunteers will allow the charity to extend its core services, including one-on-one befriending for children aged five to 13 and weekly counselling sessions for mothers. "We’re not asking families to fit into a rigid system," Cootes said. "We adapt to them." The befriending program pairs volunteers with children for as little as two hours a week, often transforming their outlook through simple but critical interactions like park visits or museum trips. Meanwhile, the weekly mums-and-young-children group offers therapeutic support in a non-stigmatized setting, free from the constraints of overburdened public services.

Sam Hunt, befriending manager, emphasized the program’s adaptability: "Volunteers walk alongside families, not for them. That distinction is what makes our model sustainable." The charity’s expansion reflects a broader trend in Winchester, where local organizations are stepping in as public services face cuts. Friends of the Family now operates four days a week, up from three, with plans to add weekend sessions if volunteer numbers continue rising. Its annual budget, once reliant on small grants, has grown to £180,000, largely through donations and community fundraising.

The charity’s growth comes as Hampshire County Council faces a £50 million budget shortfall, forcing reductions in family support programs. Friends of the Family’s trustees argue their model—rooted in long-term, relational support—fills a critical void. "We’re not just filling seats," Hunt said. "We’re building trust." The next volunteer training session begins July 15, with a priority on recruiting men to balance the current 80% female volunteer base.

For families in crisis, the charity’s impact is immediate. Last month, a single mother of two secured stable housing after her befriender connected her with a local housing charity. Another child, struggling with anxiety, showed measurable improvement after six months of regular park outings with his volunteer. "These aren’t grand gestures," Cootes said. "They’re consistent, reliable presence. That’s what changes lives."

Friends of the Family remains open to new volunteers, with a simple onboarding process that includes a one-hour induction and DBS check. No prior experience is required—only a willingness to commit to at least two hours per week for a minimum of six months. The charity’s website, fotfwinchester.org/volunteer-section/, now features a real-time dashboard showing available slots, updated daily as new volunteers join. Trustees expect to hit 500 active volunteers by year’s end, a target that would allow them to double their outreach in Winchester and neighboring villages.