Voluntary Action Rutland

01/05/2026

🌟 We Need Volunteers (YOU!) 🌟

Could you spare a little time to make a big difference in our community? We’re looking for friendly, reliable people to join our amazing team at Voluntary Action Rutland.

Current opportunities include:
✨ Administrative Support
✨ Volunteer Management & Signposting
✨ Fundraising
✨ Drivers (of course!)

Whether you have a few hours a week or more to give, your time and skills can help support others across Rutland.

Interested? We’d love to hear from you.
📧 [email protected]
📞 01572 723300

Together, we can achieve more 💚

18/12/2025

On 2nd December, we at VAR celebrated our annual volunteer awards at Greetham Community Centre

This is always a very special day on our calendar where all Trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity meet together for a lovely celebration of the year and give thanks to everyone who support us.

We give thanks to all our amazing volunteers who seem to have no end to their kind natures to give back to our community.

We were joined by the High Sherriff of Rutland Richard Chesterfield and Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland. Both are a pleasure to see and speak to. They presented the awards to our volunteers who won awards for their great contributions to helping VAR be great. 😊

Our trustees and staff would like to thank everyone for all your support this year and always.

A huge thank you to Oakham Tesco staff Emma Community Champion @ Tesco Oakham for working with us and being a huge support for all our ventures and donating to our Christmas appeal this year which will help families in need to have a good Christmas.

May you have a very merry Christmas and super new year 💚

17/12/2025

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our Rutland Elves who have generously donated gifts towards our Christmas appeal this year! We have a very good supply of gifts which will help to bring much joy to families in Rutland this year 🎁✨

It’s truly amazing to see our community spirit in this little County of ours.

Our own Elf Lorraine has been extremely busy organising the taking in of gifts and checking Santa’s good lists for suitable gifts for all our families we are helping this year. It’s a remarkable thing to see and be part of ❤️

Thank you also for all of your purchase of raffle tickets 🎟️ this year! The total sold in tickets reached over £500!! 🙌

We have announced the winner of the BMX bike and some lovely bottles of whisky 🥃 and wine 🍷 All proceeds from our raffle have gone towards purchasing vouchers for our Christmas appeal too, so by entering, you’ve also been part of the Christmas spirit ✨

You are all amazing and we are so grateful and proud for all your support and generosity this year.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and a happy, healthy and fabulous New Year start to 2026 💚

25/11/2025

🌟Want to win some amazing prizes? 🌟
Enter our raffle contest today. It is your chance to win big while supporting a great cause.

Our top prize is a BMX Mongoose Brawler 🚴‍♂️, fully built and ready for fun. This would make a great Christmas present 🎁 for someone this year. Other prizes are available...to be announced.

The £2.00 option is for a single ticket on this payment link. You can also buy five tickets for £5.00 through a separate link.

PLEASE include your contact details when making a payment so we can contact you and allocate your tickets. 🎟️ 🎟️ 🎟️ 🎟️ 🎟️

Proceeds from the raffle will go towards our Christmas appeal this year to help struggling families to have a wonderful Christmas🎅🏻

The draw will take place on 16 December 2025.

Delivery is available in Rutland, or you can collect from Oakham.

To purchase 5 x tickets for £5 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/FDRXU3DFBPE68
To purchase a single ticket for £2
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RETN5TMRQ3WXL
Good luck from everyone at Voluntary Action Rutland. 🍀

RCC Small Society Lottery number 133350
Registered Charity 1123653

21/10/2025

🦁💛 “Where There’s a Need, There’s a Lion.” 💛🦁

For nearly 50 years, the Lions Club of Rutland has been here to help — supporting local people, charities, and community projects across our county.

From providing help to families in need, to funding equipment for schools and community groups, every penny we raise goes straight back into Rutland. 🙌

When you buy a ticket to the Rutland Lions Fireworks Display, you’re not just coming to see a show — you’re helping us continue that work.
Because where there’s a need, there’s a Lion. 💛✨

🎟️ Early Bird tickets available until 31st October – save up to £5 per person!
📅 Saturday 8th November | Rutland Showground
⏰ Two dazzling displays: 6:15pm & 7:00pm
👶 Under 6s go FREE

🎟️ Get your tickets here 👉https://www4.ticketebo.co.uk/lions-clubrutland/rutland-fireworks-2025

15/10/2025

Need help fast and it isn’t life threatening? Get the right NHS care in two simple steps. You can tell us what you think by completing a questionnaire, plus share your views on your GP practice. https://bit.ly/need-help-fast-engagement

https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/be-involved/need-help-fast-engagement/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR49Whj_w8K56iIc1tA8nYOK_VgnndXyB64LYyCWv959GbsSRU-i8BZHgp1wrw_aem_0aZ34xk-uB62TBEJztAjFw

Getting NHS help fast The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is making it easier for you to get help quickly when you need it. We want to hear your […]

14/10/2025

🖐️✨ Introducing Our New ‘Helping Hands’ Service!

We’re excited to launch Helping Hands.

This is a new community service offering practical help for those little jobs around the home that can make a big difference, to those living in Rutland.

From changing lightbulbs, fixing dripping taps, freeing stiff doors, to building flat-pack furniture and tackling general DIY tasks, our friendly volunteers are here to help!

🔹 All volunteers are DBS checked
🔹 A Safeguarding Officer will attend the first visit to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported

We’re currently:
✅ Looking for volunteers who’d like to use their skills to help others in our community
✅ Welcoming referrals from anyone who needs a hand with small jobs around the home

If you’d like to get involved, either as a volunteer or to request help, please get in touch with us today. Together, we can make a real difference! 💛

13/10/2025

📸 A huge thank you to the Lions Club of Rutland!

We were delighted to join President Allan Gray and fellow Lions members at a wonderful Thank You Meal last week at the Everest Lounge.

During the evening, Allan kindly presented our CEO Tom Walters with a generous £2,000 donation towards our Emergency Families Fund (EFF) and Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF). 🙏

This incredible support will make a real difference to families and young people across Rutland who need it most. 💛

A big thank you as well to the Everest Lounge for hosting us and serving such a lovely meal.
We really appreciate your hospitality! 🍽️

The Lions Club of Rutland CIO

06/10/2025

🎉🌸 Happy 90th Birthday to our wonderful volunteer Pam! 🌸🎉

Pam has been part of Voluntary Action Rutland since around 2006, helping in the office with calls and bookings, as well as driving for our community transport service. She truly is one of our very special volunteers. 💛

On her big day, Pam made us laugh by saying:
“Sorry I can’t help with the drive, too busy partying! Thank you all for the lovely flowers.” 🎂🥳

We absolutely love it, and love you Pam! 💐

From everyone at VAR, a big belated birthday shout-out and a huge thank you for everything you do🥂

03/10/2025

🚴‍♂️ A Huge Thank You to Stewart MacDonald & Family! 🚴‍♀️

We are delighted to share that our wonderful Treasurer, Stewart MacDonald, has raised an incredible £3,000 for Voluntary Action Rutland through his London to Brighton Charity Bike Ride on 14th September!

Not only did Stewart take on the challenge, but he was joined by his son and daughter – making it a real family effort. 💙👏

From all of us at VAR, a heartfelt thank you to Stewart and his family for their dedication, hard work, and generosity. Your amazing support helps us continue providing vital services for our community.

💛🚲👏 Well done Team MacDonald! 👏🚲💛