Welcome to our highlight roundup of 2024!
It’s been a fantastic year for Move the Masses, and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve in 2024.
Across all project areas:
- Close to 3000 walks have taken place
- Over 400 doorstep chats, phone calls and messages have provided support
- Over 100 new pairings have been made
- Over 300 volunteers are now part of the Move Mates Community
- We have received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service
- We have secured funding to develop our Selby project and further our impact in the area
- We have featured as a city centre Mural in Leeds
- We have delivered sighted guide training in York with Guide Dogs UK
- We have delivered a creative writing and walking workshop in Durham
York Project Manager, Libby tells us her 2024 highlights
“It’s hard to choose one highlight of the year. Our Volunteer Move Mates being recognised with The Kings Award has got to be one of them though.
The assessment day for the award was a great experience. It was a lovely day spent with volunteers and beneficiaries sharing their experiences.
Have a read of our blog about what it meant to our volunteers to receive the award.
Every volunteer activity, log, and new pairing is a highlight.
The stories and photos volunteers send are the best celebration. Each one is a reminder of kindness, and the positive impact of a friendly face and a step outdoors.”
Durham Project Manager, Hannah reveals her 2024 highlights
“There have been lots of lovely moments this year.
I enjoyed organising the creative writing workshop and the community litter picks. These new activities brought fresh energy to our Durham project.
Our beneficiaries have made strong connections with their Volunteer Move Mates. Many have even taken up new hobbies like bird watching and photography. The kindness and enthusiasm of our volunteers have contributed to a lot of joy.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything. It’s magical to see the positive impact they make, one step and one smile at a time.”
Project Manager, Elaine gives us her 2024 thoughts on Leeds, Pocklington and Selby
Leeds
“It’s a challenge to pinpoint one key highlight from the last year for our Leeds Move Mates project.
The Mural was a fantastic edition to the Leeds cityscape. It was heart-warming to see one of our pairings featured in this way.
Our amazing volunteers make everything we do possible. They make a life-changing difference to those in their communities.
Reading the stories and logs which come through is definitely the most rewarding part of what we do.
We also value our positive partnerships with health and well-being services. These are key to enabling community connections and improving lives.
This year saw us partner with the Meanwood and Otley Walking Festivals, which was great.
We’re looking forward to another year of stories, partnerships and pairings.”
Selby and Pocklington
“We have been delighted with the success of our Selby and Pocklington pilot projects.
Both projects have developed a strong community of amazing volunteers.
There are around 15 combined pairings benefitting from weekly walks which is amazing.
Our Selby area recently secured funding to develop the project, and we’re excited to increase our impact and reach.
We’ll look forward to seeing both areas grow across 2025.”
From all of us here at Move Mates, Merry Christmas!
The Move Mates’ Office will be closed from Friday 20 December until Monday 6 January.
Wishing everyone a lovely and restful festive season.
Thank you to all our volunteers, supporters, funders and partners for an amazing 2024.
See you all again in 2025!
