Launceston Charity Marks Volunteers’ Week With Coffee Morning

Volunteers in Launceston have quietly helped local families shed more than £4million in debt, and this week the charity behind that work is saying thank you over coffee and cake.

Community Money Advice Launceston (CMAL) is marking Volunteers’ Week 2026, which runs from 1st to 7th June, with a Coffee and Cake morning for its volunteers and invited guests from across the town. Among those due to attend is Mayor Cllr Nicola Gilbert.

850 families and counting

Centre Manager Sarah Vinson said volunteers were the reason the charity could keep doing the work it does.

“Volunteers’ Week is a chance to celebrate and recognise the time and effort our brilliant volunteers make. Thanks to them, we have helped over 850 families in Launceston and the surrounding areas, including support with a combined total now exceeding £4million worth of debt,” Sarah said.

“Being in debt can be a frightening experience and many try to ignore money problems, being free from debt takes a huge weight off people’s shoulders and provides them hope for the future. We simply could not provide such services without these incredible volunteers, selflessly giving their time.”

A wider network of helpers

Newly appointed CMAL Administrator Gemma Massey said the commitment she had seen since joining the charity had left an impression.

“Watching first hand the dedication of our volunteers within our charity is inspiring. We have so many special people within our community who take the time out of their day to support and help others,” Gemma said.

She also pointed to the work CMAL does alongside other local groups. “We are also thankful to the volunteers that we work closely with at CMAL including Launceston Foodbank and Love Thy Neighbour to name a few, too!”

42 years of Volunteers’ Week

This year marks the 42nd anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, which has run every June since 1984. It is led by the UK Volunteering Forum, a partnership between Volunteer Scotland, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for the UK Volunteering Forum said: “Volunteers bring a richness to organisations across the country. There is no better way to recognise the diversity of our volunteers and celebrate the difference that volunteering makes than during Volunteers’ Week. Without volunteers many charities just simply could not function, with so many people giving up their time and going above and beyond. The week is a chance for all of us to show just how vital they are to charities and communities everywhere.”