At the heart of healthy communities

A few words on who we are

Attend is a national charity that supports and expands the roles volunteers play in creating healthy communities.

A practice session at Islington Music Forum, a charity that offers music activities for people whose lives are affected by mental health issues.

Photo by Ramon Andarias.

In the beginning

We began in 1949 as the National League of Friends, creating a membership scheme to support volunteers in hospitals with the newly established NHS.

Over the last 60 years we have expanded out from hospitals to also work in the wider community.

SERV, also know as the Blood Runners, transport blood and any urgently required medical items to hospitals. This service is provided completely free of charge by dedicated volunteers. Photo by Ramon Andarias.

What we do now

We find ways for people to contribute to their own wellbeing and to creating healthy communities.

We do this in three ways - by supporting those already volunteering, running projects ourselves and by sharing what we do through training and events.

A production at Haringey Shed, an inclusive theatre project that gives children of all ages, abilities and backgrounds the chance to work together to create great theatre.

Photo by Colleen Stretch.

Supporting those volunteering

We run a membership scheme for voluntary organisations across the UK that offers support such as insurance, legal advice, financial services and networking.

A volunteer taking the ward trolley on its rounds, offering essentials and luxuries to staff and patients, from The Friends of Eastbourne Hospitals.

Photo by Simon Evans.

Delivering projects

We deliver projects that explore new ways for volunteering to have a healthy impact in our communities.

For example, Attend ABI supports people who have acquired a brain injury. We use volunteering as a way of reintroducing people back into their community.

A former ABI client and professional Graphic Artist volunteers at Attend’s Creative Studio.

Photo by Liberty Rowley.

Spreading the word

We share everything we know through a range of training, conferences and events.

For example, we have delivered formal volunteer management qualifications within an NHS setting since 2004, involving over 500 volunteer managers.

Participants from Community Link Up – a charity providing support to children and adults with learning disabilities – standing by the sculpture they created for Attend’s Diamond Jubilee event in 2009.

Photo by Ramon Andarias.

Our success

Attend member groups involve over 27,000 volunteers raising in excess of £100m each year supporting hospitals and the wider community.

Attend ABI clients have gone to paid employment, when they often thought they would never work again.

Attend have been chosen by capacitybuilders to deliver the higher level qualifications to over 180 volunteer managers in five England regions. As part of this we have developed an online forum to ensure resources and support are driven by those receiving training.

© 2010 Attend. 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN. | Tel: 0845 450 0285 | Email: info@attend.org.uk Web: www.attend.org.uk. | Attend is a charity registered in England under no. 1113067 and in Scotland under No. SC039237. Registered Company no. 5713403.

A volunteer performer at an open day for The Friends of Cathja, a barge-based art and crafts facility for people with mental health issues.

Photo by Liberty Rowley.

Get in touch

We believe in the power of people, and that we are stronger when we work together. We would love to hear from you.

Telephone: 0845 4500285 Email: info@attend.org.uk Web: www.attend.org.uk