And with the theme this year of 'Volunteering – Your Chance to Branch Out' SCVS and the Swansea Volunteering Forum had plenty of things planned for the week to highlight the work of Swansea's volunteers, and to encourage other people to get involved.

Some of the highlights are below:

“Volunteering - your chance to branch out”

(Ty Blodau, Singleton Park, Swansea -Thursday 3rd June)

The celebration was a huge success, with 100+ volunteers and volunteer organisers attending in the glorious surroundings of Singleton Park. With entertainment provided by Caer Las' band 'Disconnected'; catering by the LEANA Project, who were also celebrating their 1st Birthday; the chance to try out circus skills with Circus Eruption; a Zumba Dancing class and guided walk from Mentro Allan and plant sales from the Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex, the day was a real celebration! Lord Mayor of the City & County of Swansea, Councillor Richard Lewis, opened the event, thanking Swansea's volunteers for their hard work and dedication; followed by SCVS Director Carol Green, who highlighted the difference that volunteers make to society.

With the theme of “Volunteering - your chance to branch out” SCVS on behalf of the Swansea Volunteering Forum commissioned a community group to sew a large decorative tree made entirely out of recycled scraps of fabric, about the size of a door, with lots of branches, upon which organisations and volunteers would pin leaves that they will have created with quotes expressing how much they value volunteering. We were overwhelmed by the response, with hundreds of leaves returned. The resulting tree was displayed on the day.

Finally, a live tree was planted to celebrate the ongoing commitment of Swansea's volunteers. It had been envisioned that the Lord Mayor, and SCVS Director Carol Green would start the planting, with a symbolic shovel each – however, far more appropriately, the shovel was passed on, and the tree itself was planted by dozens of volunteers and third sector workers! The tree stands as a testament to the volunteers of Swansea – growing taller and stronger every year!

What else happened during the week?

SCVS staff appeared on Leighton Jones Morning Show on Swansea Sound each day of the week to promote volunteering, and information stalls were held at 8 different libraries / community venues.

All in all, 2010 was a truly memorable year for Volunteers Week – so here's looking forward to an even better Volunteers Week 2011!

Details of what's happening for Volunteers Week 2011 will be available on these pages in the run up to next years event.