To mark national Volunteers’ Week (2-8 June), Framework is celebrating the contribution of the many volunteers who support its work – from helping staff in front-line services to joining the board of trustees that runs the charity.
The wide range of roles includes befriending and mentoring people who are experiencing social isolation; administrative and reception duties; encouraging service users to take part in activities, courses and classes and, in particular, supporting people to use digital technology.
In the twelve months to the end of March 2025, well over 150 people took part in some kind of volunteering activity with Framework. These volunteers include Framework service users who find volunteering is a good first step to getting back into the workplace; there are also members of the public who want to give their time, and representatives of businesses and organisations who undertake specific projects and provide specialist expertise.
One area where Framework is benefiting from specialist expertise is through Nottingham-based PR consultant Liz Bee who is helping to spread the word and explain what Framework does.
Liz began providing pro bono support to Framework in September 2023 as part of the corporate social responsibility work of Nottingham PR agency Redbrick Communications. Now leading WonderbeePR, Liz continues to provide pro bono support worth the equivalent of £12,000 per year to Framework.
As well as telling the story of what Framework does, Liz also ensures that the charity gets maximum coverage in local, regional and national press, and offers advice on crisis communications.
Since getting involved, Liz has helped publicise a wide range of activities including the opening of new accommodation for homeless people, promoting the involvement of commercial partners such as Tesco, and Nottingham-based DHP Family whose annual award-winning charity music festival Beat The Streets raises funds for Framework.
Liz Bee says: “No one can have failed to see the growing number of people sleeping on the streets. Having seen firsthand how Framework is changing lives devastated by homelessness and giving people a chance of a better future, I wanted to help make a difference.
“I’m pleased to be working with the comms team at Framework to help shine a light on the issues involved, and on the support needed to provide long-term sustainable solutions.”
Claire Eden, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Framework, says: “Framework enjoys generous financial and in-kind support from a variety of businesses and organisations.
“We are a small team and financial resources are stretched to the limit, so we are particularly grateful to Liz for donating her time and expertise to help explain the challenges that so many people face and our work to support them.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Liz to help us in our mission to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage. The cost-of-living crisis and the housing crisis are a daily reality for more and more people, so we must enhance our support for people in need: by so generously volunteering her expertise Liz helps us do just that.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with Framework should visit www.frameworkha.org/support-us/volunteer.