To further showcase our volunteers, here's just a small selection of activities in 2023 which couldn't have taken place without their support, followed by some volunteer stories to reflect all our brilliant volunteers and what sort of things they get up to.

2023 impact:

• Nearly 180 in-person Local Network events were held in 2023 enabling people to meet and support each other in their local area
• Recruited eight new Research Champions in 2023 taking the total to 15 across 16 different research studies.
• 52 Fundraising Event volunteers cheered on and celebrated our fundraisers at large running events
• Research Awards Panel were involved in the awarding of 5 research grant awards 
• 65 Virtual Social Events were held in 2023 enabling over 650 people to connect and support each other. This included a new ‘friends and family' event.
• Reader Panel and Medical Content Reviewers helped us create 7 new resources and review a further 25 updated resources throughout 2023. 
• Recruited 12 volunteers to our new Young Adults Advisory Panel who provide a young adults’ (18 – 28 years) perspective on the charity’s strategy and programmes of work to the Board
• Plus many more...

What inspired you to volunteer?

Volunteering was a natural step for me in my journey with Crohn's Disease. Initially, it was about finding a supportive community through the Berkshire network as an awareness volunteer, where I could connect with others facing similar challenges and tackle the stigma surrounding IBD head-on. As a healthcare professional living with Crohn's, I've always been intrigued by the patient experience, especially meeting those with similar and vastly different experiences to my own. 

What’s your most memorable moment as a volunteer?

My most memorable moment has been my most recent session as a Virtual Host on World IBD Day. I felt it was a really worthwhile way to mark the occasion and I was so encouraged by feedback shared during the session and forwarded afterwards - that participants really appreciated the virtual meet-up opportunity and also found it really useful....That is so rewarding to hear!

What has been your favourite project you've been involved in and why?

I'd go for the new content that was created on fatigue. It's such a tough symptom to articulate, even for those suffering from it, but the team did a great job capturing the range of language and experiences people associate with it.

What’s your most memorable moment as a volunteer?

My first research panel was such a brilliant experience! Hearing from the experts - academics, nutritionists and clinicians - was so insightful. Plus having the opportunity to hear and feed into all of the amazing research grant applications too - knowing that lived experience of Crohn's and Colitis is helping to shape future research is a real honour for me.