All this week we are running a series of blogs from dedicated people who give up their time free as health and care volunteers.

The blogs mark the Volunteers’ Week celebrations in recognition of the invaluable contributions of people up and down the country.

The week acknowledges and says “Thank you” to the millions of people who offer their time, skills and expertise  to help and support other people.

A survey to coincide with this week has found that more than a third of British adults would be willing to volunteer to support the NHS.

The study, for the Royal Volunteer Service (RVS), found people were most interested in volunteering in shops or cafes, with 40 per cent saying they would consider such work.

Some 39 per cent said they could carry out practical service in the community – such as taking patients out on social visits – while more than a third (35 per cent) expressed interest in carrying out hospital visits and 31 per cent in helping on wards.

The poll surveyed 2,050 adults over the age of 18.

In February, an extra £1.2m of government funding was awarded to the RVS, Red Cross and Age UK to get more volunteers into A&E departments.

The blogs on the NHS England are from volunteers, and the organisations who support them, to highlight the diversity of contributions and the commitment people have to making a difference and to improving the lives and experiences for everyone.

• Volunteers Week 1 – 7 June 2015
• Now read the latest in our series of blogs – from Dr Niklas Serning, Clinical Director of Off  The Record Bristol, a children and young people’s mental health support group