RABI Volunteer Newsletter – May 2025
Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
If you have any feedback or stories you’d like to share with us, please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you for your support.
Connect & Share: Making the most of Committee Events
We’re excited to invite you to Connect & Share, a new initiative created in response to the volunteer survey and in collaboration with our Volunteer Voice group to help committee members connect, collaborate, and share fundraising good practice.
Our very first session will focus on how to make the most of your Committee Events. Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible successes from hearty Farmhouse Breakfasts to elegant fundraising Balls and now’s your chance to learn what makes these events shine.
Join us to hear practical tips, creative ideas, and tried-and-tested formulas from fellow committee members who’ve been there and done it!
🗓️ Save the date: Wednesday 21st May at 7pm
👥 Who’s it for: All RABI committee members
This is a new opportunity for all committee members to support each other in make every event a success. We can’t wait to see you there!
RABI’s Free Summer Prize Draw
The Free Summer Prize Draw is a competition running on RABI stands at agricultural shows across the UK to support raising awareness of RABI. Those who enter will have the chance to win Farmstay gift vouchers towards holidays.
- First prize is £500, second prize is £300, third prize is £200.
- Entrants will be required to complete a short form, digitally or via our postal entry form.
- One entry per person and volunteers are very welcome to enter.
The competition will run from 15 May until 15 September 2025. Please ask your regional manager or email volunteering@rabi.org.uk for more information.
Volunteer Recruitment Campaign Update
This April, we launched RABI’s first dedicated volunteer recruitment campaign, introducing flexible roles with time commitments starting from just a few hours.
Many of these new opportunities are designed to support committee events and agricultural shows. Our goal is to make volunteering with RABI more accessible and appealing to a wider range of people, while continuing to strengthen the vital work of our existing volunteers.
Since the campaign launch over Easter, we’re delighted to have welcomed over 60 new volunteers. We hope these roles will provide rewarding and flexible ways for more people to get involved and make a difference.
And remember, these opportunities aren’t just for new volunteers! If you’d like to get involved outside of your committee role, you’re very welcome to apply. Please also feel free to share these roles with friends, family, or anyone in your network who may be interested.
Celebrating You!
This year, we’re celebrating National Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June) by shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of RABI volunteers across the UK.
To bring volunteering at RABI to life, we’ll be sharing real stories from a variety of roles – from committee members to event volunteers – to highlight the diverse experiences and dedication of our amazing community.
If you’d be happy to share your volunteering story, what motivates you, and the highlights of your experience, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch by emailing volunteering@rabi.org.uk and we’d be delighted to arrange a friendly call to learn more.
Thank you for your continued support and keep an eye out for our National Volunteers’ Week celebrations on RABI social media in the first week of June!
Committees April Activities
Our events in April show the power of community and connection. Whether it’s a shared meal, a quiz night, or an open garden, each gathering helps raise awareness, build local relationships, and support farming people. Thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered, or helped bring people together this month.
- 1 Breakfast – North Yorkshire
- 1 Spring Lunch – Suffolk
- 1 Supper – East Yorkshire
- 1 Pie & Pudding Night – Buckinghamshire
- 1 Tea, Cakes and Taste of Fashion – Carmarthenshire
- 1 Open Gardens – Cornwall
- 2 Quizzes – Worcestershire & Leicestershire
- 3 Bingo Nights – Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Clwyd
- 4 Beef Dinners – Berkshire, Co. Durham, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Christmas Card Ordering 2025
Christmas cards are now available to order for the coming show season. Please use this order form for all orders and send to volunteering@rabi.org.uk. Please allow up to 2 weeks for Christmas cards to arrive from the date of ordering.
- For 2025 we have brought forward some of last year’s designs due to a rise in cost and excess stock. So, we have three designs from last year being sold at £5 per pack and 3 new designs being sold at £6 per pack, all outlined on the order form. If you have any of the 3 listed 2024 designs left from last year, please sell them at £5 per pack going forward. We also have available ‘bumper packs’ these contain 30 cards of varying designs from previous years, to be sold at £10 per pack.
- Any old stock you hold can be sold at the discounted price of £3 per pack or 4 packs for £10.
As usual please record the sale of Christmas cards as well as stock levels on you quarterly returns. Please note new designs will not be delivered until mid-June due to printing times.
Remembering Ruth Price
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Ruth Price earlier this month, a dedicated and much-loved member of the RABI volunteer community. Ruth was a longstanding member of the Brecon & Radnor Committee, a former Chair and one of the founding members of our Volunteer Voice Group.
Over her 10+ years of service, Ruth’s contribution in helping RABI support farming people and shape the future of volunteering at RABI has left a legacy. Ruth will be greatly missed, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband Aubrey, family, friends, and all who knew her.
Staff Update – Farewell to Matilda Heron
We’re sad to share that Matilda Heron will be leaving RABI to take on a new role as Area Manager at First Milk. Matilda has been part of the central team since October 2023, joining us after university and brings with her a strong connection to farming life, having grown up on a dairy farm.
Reflecting on her time at RABI, Matilda shared: “It’s been a pleasure working with such passionate volunteers and seeing the real impact of committee events. I’ll continue to champion RABI’s support in my new role.”
Matilda will be leaving at the end of May and we thank Matilda for her contribution and wish her every success in this exciting next chapter. For support, please continue to contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Feedback
We really value everything you do and want to make sure our approach works for as many volunteers as possible. If you have thoughts, we’d love to hear them! Contact us at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Reminder of resources / dates for your diary
- RABI Volunteer Handbook
- Treasurers Guidance
- Event Guidance
- 14 May – Volunteer Voice meeting
- 15 May – Farmstay Competition starts
- 21 May – Committee fundraising events – Share & Connect
- 2 -8 June – National Volunteers Week
RABI Volunteer Newsletter – May 2025
Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
If you have any feedback or stories you’d like to share with us, please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you for your support.
Connect & Share: Making the most of Committee Events
We’re excited to invite you to Connect & Share, a new initiative created in response to the volunteer survey and in collaboration with our Volunteer Voice group to help committee members connect, collaborate, and share fundraising good practice.
Our very first session will focus on how to make the most of your Committee Events. Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible successes from hearty Farmhouse Breakfasts to elegant fundraising Balls and now’s your chance to learn what makes these events shine.
Join us to hear practical tips, creative ideas, and tried-and-tested formulas from fellow committee members who’ve been there and done it!
🗓️ Save the date: Wednesday 21st May at 7pm
👥 Who’s it for: All RABI committee members
This is a new opportunity for all committee members to support each other in make every event a success. We can’t wait to see you there!
RABI’s Free Summer Prize Draw
The Free Summer Prize Draw is a competition running on RABI stands at agricultural shows across the UK to support raising awareness of RABI. Those who enter will have the chance to win Farmstay gift vouchers towards holidays.
- First prize is £500, second prize is £300, third prize is £200.
- Entrants will be required to complete a short form, digitally or via our postal entry form.
- One entry per person and volunteers are very welcome to enter.
The competition will run from 15 May until 15 September 2025. Please ask your regional manager or email volunteering@rabi.org.uk for more information.
Volunteer Recruitment Campaign Update
This April, we launched RABI’s first dedicated volunteer recruitment campaign, introducing flexible roles with time commitments starting from just a few hours.
Many of these new opportunities are designed to support committee events and agricultural shows. Our goal is to make volunteering with RABI more accessible and appealing to a wider range of people, while continuing to strengthen the vital work of our existing volunteers.
Since the campaign launch over Easter, we’re delighted to have welcomed over 60 new volunteers. We hope these roles will provide rewarding and flexible ways for more people to get involved and make a difference.
And remember, these opportunities aren’t just for new volunteers! If you’d like to get involved outside of your committee role, you’re very welcome to apply. Please also feel free to share these roles with friends, family, or anyone in your network who may be interested.
Celebrating You!
This year, we’re celebrating National Volunteers’ Week (2–8 June) by shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of RABI volunteers across the UK.
To bring volunteering at RABI to life, we’ll be sharing real stories from a variety of roles – from committee members to event volunteers – to highlight the diverse experiences and dedication of our amazing community.
If you’d be happy to share your volunteering story, what motivates you, and the highlights of your experience, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch by emailing volunteering@rabi.org.uk and we’d be delighted to arrange a friendly call to learn more.
Thank you for your continued support and keep an eye out for our National Volunteers’ Week celebrations on RABI social media in the first week of June!
Committees April Activities
Our events in April show the power of community and connection. Whether it’s a shared meal, a quiz night, or an open garden, each gathering helps raise awareness, build local relationships, and support farming people. Thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered, or helped bring people together this month.
- 1 Breakfast – North Yorkshire
- 1 Spring Lunch – Suffolk
- 1 Supper – East Yorkshire
- 1 Pie & Pudding Night – Buckinghamshire
- 1 Tea, Cakes and Taste of Fashion – Carmarthenshire
- 1 Open Gardens – Cornwall
- 2 Quizzes – Worcestershire & Leicestershire
- 3 Bingo Nights – Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Clwyd
- 4 Beef Dinners – Berkshire, Co. Durham, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Christmas Card Ordering 2025
Christmas cards are now available to order for the coming show season. Please use this order form for all orders and send to volunteering@rabi.org.uk. Please allow up to 2 weeks for Christmas cards to arrive from the date of ordering.
- For 2025 we have brought forward some of last year’s designs due to a rise in cost and excess stock. So, we have three designs from last year being sold at £5 per pack and 3 new designs being sold at £6 per pack, all outlined on the order form. If you have any of the 3 listed 2024 designs left from last year, please sell them at £5 per pack going forward. We also have available ‘bumper packs’ these contain 30 cards of varying designs from previous years, to be sold at £10 per pack.
- Any old stock you hold can be sold at the discounted price of £3 per pack or 4 packs for £10.
As usual please record the sale of Christmas cards as well as stock levels on you quarterly returns. Please note new designs will not be delivered until mid-June due to printing times.
Remembering Ruth Price
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Ruth Price earlier this month, a dedicated and much-loved member of the RABI volunteer community. Ruth was a longstanding member of the Brecon & Radnor Committee, a former Chair and one of the founding members of our Volunteer Voice Group.
Over her 10+ years of service, Ruth’s contribution in helping RABI support farming people and shape the future of volunteering at RABI has left a legacy. Ruth will be greatly missed, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband Aubrey, family, friends, and all who knew her.
Staff Update – Farewell to Matilda Heron
We’re sad to share that Matilda Heron will be leaving RABI to take on a new role as Area Manager at First Milk. Matilda has been part of the central team since October 2023, joining us after university and brings with her a strong connection to farming life, having grown up on a dairy farm.
Reflecting on her time at RABI, Matilda shared: “It’s been a pleasure working with such passionate volunteers and seeing the real impact of committee events. I’ll continue to champion RABI’s support in my new role.”
Matilda will be leaving at the end of May and we thank Matilda for her contribution and wish her every success in this exciting next chapter. For support, please continue to contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Feedback
We really value everything you do and want to make sure our approach works for as many volunteers as possible. If you have thoughts, we’d love to hear them! Contact us at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Reminder of resources / dates for your diary
- RABI Volunteer Handbook
- Treasurers Guidance
- Event Guidance
- 14 May – Volunteer Voice meeting
- 15 May – Farmstay Competition starts
- 21 May – Committee fundraising events – Share & Connect
- 2 -8 June – National Volunteers Week
