Quaker Voluntary Action

Welcome to our new followers! QVA brings together small teams of volunteers that make a big impact. We welcome adults of all faiths and none, and offer financial support. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest opportunities: qva.org.uk/subscribe/

This is what it's like to come on a QVA Working Retreat: 🪓 "Fun! It felt spiritual to exert yourself physically, working hard to help make something beautiful." 🪚 "I liked it... good work colleagues, and much hilarity." 🧹 “Challenging but rewarding." Find out more: qva.org.uk/retreats

Latest issue of Among Friends, a FWCC-EMES publication, is out and we're delighted to see The Svartbäcken Summons and Queries on pages 14-15. There's also news from Sojourner Truth House, and @qcea.bsky.social, plus a great All-Age Gathering report. Download here: fwccemes.org/news/among-f...

In this week’s edition of the Friend, #Quaker Voluntary Action Trustee Jez Smith reflects on Jennifer Kavanagh’s talk, a personal reflection on Pathways to #Peace, given at our AGM last month. Find the video & transcript here: qva.org.uk/jennifer-kav...

If you’ve ever thought, 'what can I do, what is my calling?', Jennifer Kavanagh's talk on #Quaker Voluntary Action’s annual theme, Pathways to Peace provides encouragement, inspiration and reassurance. 🕊️ Video and written transcript from our AGM available now: qva.org.uk/jennifer-kav...

"Worship can happen any place, any time". To affirm this message, FWCC's General Secretary went outside to record a message for the BBC, which was broadcast this morning as part of @quaker.org.uk Quaker Week and ahead of World Quaker Day this weekend. Full text here: fwcc.world/fwcc-records...

Please help us welcome Agnes Jones to the Quaker Voluntary Action Board of Trustees! Agnes is a recent QVA volunteer, #Quaker United Nations Summer School (QUNSS) participant, and geography graduate. Check out our latest blog post, where Agnes introduces herself: qva.org.uk/agnes-jones-...

Friendly reminder that all are welcome at our AGM this Saturday 12 September at 14.00 BST on Zoom. Guest speaker Jennifer Kavanagh will talk on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace. Get the Zoom link, agenda and papers by subscribing to our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe/

Could you be the next General Secretary of Pax Christi England and Wales? Full-time role, deadline 23rd September 2026 paxchristi.org.uk/work-for-us/

World Quaker Day is on the back cover of the Friend magazine this week. Where have you seen World Quaker Day posters or publicity?

One hundred and eighty Quakers gathered in Haus Altenberg in Germany in August to explore the theme of the river of life... It was like a family reunion. Read more about the EMEYF-EMES All Age Gathering here: fwccemes.org/news/2026-em...

AGM Zoom link, agenda & papers went out to our newsletter community this morning.📮But don't worry, there's still time to get your invitation! Just sign up to our newsletter here: qva.org.uk/subscribe/ Everyone is welcome to join us to hear guest speaker Jennifer Kavanagh speak on Pathways to Peace.

Delighted to announce that #Quaker writer Jennifer Kavanagh will be the guest speaker at the Quaker Voluntary Action AGM on Saturday 12 September 14.00 BST via Zoom. Jennifer will speak on our annual theme, Pathways to #Peace. All welcome! Get the details via our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe

Delighted to announce that #Quaker writer Jennifer Kavanagh will be the guest speaker at the Quaker Voluntary Action AGM on Saturday 12 September 14.00 BST via Zoom. Jennifer will speak on our annual theme, Pathways to #Peace. All welcome! Get the details via our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe

You are warmly invited to #Quaker Voluntary Action's AGM on 12 September at 14.00 BST via Zoom. Subscribe to our newsletter for the joining link: www.qva.org.uk/subscribe The AGM will include an inspiring talk from a guest speaker (announced soon) on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace.

What can the faith-shaped peacemaker do in the face of multiple global challenges? This workshop will help you refine what is yours to do in this moment www.greenbelt.org.uk/artists/hann...

You are warmly invited to #Quaker Voluntary Action's AGM on 12 September at 14.00 BST via Zoom. Subscribe to our newsletter for the joining link: www.qva.org.uk/subscribe The AGM will include an inspiring talk from a guest speaker (announced soon) on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace.

The Svartbäcken Summons: a call to all #Quakers to witness for #peace. Read the minute discerned by participants during a QVA Working Retreat this July: qva.org.uk/the-svartbac...

The Svartbäcken Summons: a call to all #Quakers to witness for #peace. Read the minute discerned by participants during a QVA Working Retreat this July: qva.org.uk/the-svartbac...

"We have asked ourselves what we, as #Quakers, can do to build peace..." Epistle from the Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat to Svartbäcken, Swden: qva.org.uk/epistle-svar...

"To all Friends everywhere, we are 21 participants from Great Britain, Sweden and Germany who gathered for a Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat at Svartbäcken, a #Quaker centre north of Stockholm from 6-12 July 2026..." Read the Epistle in full & see stunning photos: qva.org.uk/epistle-svar...

#1/5 Welcome to the Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA)! We're a non-profit promoting just, peaceful, & humane solutions to issues affecting Europe & its global relationships. #quakers #EU

More joyful photos from our recent Gathering Retreat for #queer #Quakers and allies, held in partnership with Quaker Rainbow. Read the retreat Epistle in full here: qva.org.uk/epistle-qva-...

"To all Friends everywhere, From 26 to 28 June 2026, 36 Friends and 3 Facilitators gathered at The Hayes, Derbyshire for a Gathering Retreat for LGBTQIA+ #Quakers and allies, and 3 Friends joined online" Read the Epistle in full & see more images from the retreat: qva.org.uk/epistle-qva-...

Donate to support #Quaker #volunteering qva.org.uk/donate/ Every donation helps to: - Give low-income volunteers life-changing experiences - Ensure QVA retreats are safe, supportive spaces - Create new volunteering opportunities - Send practical help to more Quaker Centres

Still time to sign up for Active Hope: Building Power, Making Change. A Young Friends in Britain Special Interest Gathering, created in partnership with @quaker.org.uk 10-12 July in Cambridge (for 18 - 35 yos) Info: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

One place has become available on our #Queer #Quaker residential weekend! qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Book by 12 noon Friday 19 June for: - LGBTQIA+ community-building - Worship - Reflection & discussion - Activities & entertainments - Leisure time in beautiful surroundings Tiered fees & financial support

Just 6 places left on our #Queer #Quaker retreat - bookings close Monday 8 June. All #LGBTQIA+ aged 14+ welcome. Details & bookings here: qva.org.uk/rainbow/

Places on our #Queer #Quaker residential weekend are now filling fast! Currently just 8 places left, bookings close 8 June. Open to all LGBTQIA+ aged 14+ We offer financial support & you'll never have to justify asking. Full details & book here: qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Reposts much appreciated 🙏

We have 13 places left on our #Queer #Quaker 'Gathering Retreat', a residential weekend in beautiful Derbyshire this June. Please book now to secure your place: qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Open to all LGBTQIA+ folks from around the world, whether Quaker or Quaker-curious / ish. 🏳️‍🌈 Reposts appreciated! 🙏

Our #Queer Quaker Residential Weekend is 26-28 June in Derbyshire, UK. Please book now to secure your place! It's open to all LGBTQIA+ people and their allies aged 14+ from around the world, whether #Quaker or Quaker-curious. We offer tiered fees & financial support. qva.org.uk/rainbow/

Thanks so much for sharing @quaker.org.uk We're so delighted to demonstrate that hope is louder than hate with these hopeful #volunteering stories.

What does hope mean to you? Leave a comment and check out our partnership with A Million Acts of Hope: we’ve gathered 17 Quaker volunteering stories from up and down the country into one inspiring blog post: qva.org.uk/million-acts...

Celebrate the hopefuls! Our latest blog post is packed full of joyful & inspiring #volunteering stories gathered from our #Quaker @quaker.org.uk networks. It’s our act of hope for A Million Acts of Hope. qva.org.uk/million-acts...

A Quaker researcher has helped expose an illegal arms shipment from the UK to Israel, which has been seized by Belgian authorities and is now the subject of a criminal investigation >>> www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...

Sign the UK’s biggest ever thank you card to remind Britain that hope can be louder than hate. We know you can push it over the target of 75,000 signatures! millionactsofhope.org

What an amazing Britain Yearly Meeting that was! @quaker.org.uk We were glad to meet past, present (and future) volunteers, trustees, staff, and partners, our counterparts in other Quaker organisations, and to meet and thank some of our donors in person.

QVA will be at Britain Yearly Meeting Groups Fair. Find us in the Library at Friends House this Saturday 2 May 12.45-14.15. We welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone with a connection to, or an interest in, #Quaker Voluntary Action.

Please welcome Jez Smith to our Board of Trustees! Jez has worked with various EMES Quaker organisations and contributes fundraising, relationship building, project management and communications experience to our Board. Meet Jez at the YM Groups Fair on Saturday 2 May. qva.org.uk/jez-smith-qv...

Send your #Quaker#volunteering story by 27 April! Find out how to get involved here: qva.org.uk/quaker-volun...

Join the hopefuls! We're collecting YOUR stories of #Quaker #volunteering to share for the 'A Million Acts of Hope' week of action, 13-20 May. Here's how to get involved: qva.org.uk/quaker-volun... #MillionActsofHope

Could you share your #Quaker #volunteering story: - Collecting clothes for refugees? - Litter picking in your local area? - Helping at the foodbank, library or youth club? QVA is gathering stories of Spirit-led action to share for 'A Million Acts of Hope'. Details: qva.org.uk/quaker-volun...

Book now for the QVA x #Quaker Rainbow Gathering this June! We offer a tired fee structure, financial support, and a reduced rate for 14-16 year olds. qva.org.uk/rainbow/

Bookings are now open for the QVA x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat this June! Open to all LGBTQIA+ people and their allies, aged 14+. We hope you can join us in Derbyshire for a weekend of friendship, spiritual nurture and community-building. qva.org.uk/rainbow/

Please join us in welcoming Barry Jenkinson to Quaker Voluntary Action's board of Trustees! Barry is QVA's new Treasurer, and we are delighted with the wealth of financial and #Quaker experience his appointment brings to our team. qva.org.uk/qva-welcomes...

Would you like to: - Give low-income volunteers life-changing experiences? - Ensure retreats are safe, supportive spaces? - Create new volunteering opportunities? - Send practical help to more Quaker Centres? Please visit the #Quaker Voluntary Action website to donate: qva.org.uk/donate Thank you.

One of the foundational texts of global Quakerism, 'Women's Speaking Justified', is soon to be republished in a modern English edition. Today we went to the @quaker.org.uk library, to go and have a look at the original. Summary below.

“It is very affirming and empowering to do good, tangible work." - Matthew, QVA Trustee. We're celebrating 25 years of volunteer retreats and are thankful to everybody past and present who has made them possible. 🙏 Learn more, volunteer & donate: qva.org.uk/25-years-vol...