A Million Acts of Hope campaign image, with a smily face inside the 'o' in 'Hope'.
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/
Quaker Voluntary Action x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat announcement
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...
"Make a difference donate today" in black text at the top overlays an image of volunteers in the West Bank. An illustration of a handshake sits in the centre.Quaker Voluntary Action logo with website address qva.org.uk/donate appears at the bottom. The whole image is surrounded by a thin orange border.
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.
Thanks for your interest! Here's some info:
- We welcome all adults age 18+ on our retreats.
- Volunteers must arrange their own visas.
There's more information here: qva.org.uk/faqs/
And you're very welcome to contact us with specific questions not covered in the FAQs: qva.org.uk/contact/
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.
Celebrating 25 years of volunteer retreats - Quaker Voluntary Action. Thank you to all past and present volunteers, facilitators, donors, hosts, partners, trustees, staff, and Friends. www.qva.org.uk
“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...
3 reasons to join the QCEA x QVA retreat November 2026
📍3 reasons to join our Encounter Retreat in collaboration with @qcea.bsky.social in #Brussels this November:
1. Learn about #Quaker work in the EU
2. Explore pressing issues like #migration & democratic crises
3. Experience Belgian culture through trips & workshops
Register here 👉 qva.org.uk/qcea/
Our Friends at @qcea.bsky.social have this vacancy focussed on #peacemaking and challenging #securitisation narratives.
Based in Brussels, open to anyone with a right to work in the EU. Deadline 6 March.
3 reasons to join the QCEA x QVA retreat November 2026
📍3 reasons to join our Encounter Retreat in collaboration with @qcea.bsky.social in #Brussels this November:
1. Learn about #Quaker work in the EU
2. Explore pressing issues like #migration & democratic crises
3. Experience Belgian culture through trips & workshops
Register here 👉 qva.org.uk/qcea/
Save the date notice, an Encounter Retreat held by Quaker Voluntary Action and the Quaker Council for European Affairs.
📍 Save the date for our retreat in collaboration with the Quaker Council for European Affairs @qcea.bsky.social
Join us in Brussels 30 November - 4 December 2026 to explore Quaker peace work in the EU.
Sounds interesting? Register here 👉 qva.org.uk/qcea/
Quaker Voluntary Action Retreat Programme 2026 announcement banner with orange APPLY button.
QVA's 2026 Retreats Programme is live! Applications are currently open for:
⚡️Working Retreat at Svartbäcken #Quaker Centre in Sweden, 6 - 12 July
⚡️Encounter Retreat in collaboration with Quaker Council for European Affairs in Brussels, 30 November - 4 December
qva.org.uk/2026-retreat...
As we celebrate 25 years of QVA #volunteer #retreats, our current staff team & trustees extend their gratitude to all former staff members, trustees & facilitators who laid the foundation stones for our work today. Read more: qva.org.uk/25-years-vol...
Join us in celebrating 25 years of QVA #volunteer #retreats! Our latest blog reflects on:
🎉 the impact of our spiritually grounded retreats
🎉 overcoming challenges as a small #Quaker charity
🎉 the future of our retreats in the UK, rest of Europe, & Middle East.
qva.org.uk/25-years-vol...
Donations to Quaker Voluntary Action make a difference
Our retreat programme is live, so let's highlight what your donations allow us to do:
* offer bursary support so volunteers can take part no matter their financial circumstances
* run retreats & develop our programme
* train retreat facilitators
Visit qva.org.uk/donate to donate. Thank you.
"I feel like there is God in me... like there is a candle in me. God is not 'there' but he is here." Sikhuphukile Nare, a Quaker from Zimbabwe, shares her inward experience of worship. You can watch it here, and if her words speak to you, please do help us share her message. youtu.be/6DvxC9N5tZI?...
Did you catch this article in The Friend? Our Comms Assistant Suzie offers a f/Friendly challenge to anyone who thinks "But I could never be at #trustee!", and shares insights from QVA's board of trustees.
thefriend.org/article/serv...
#charitygovernance #Quakers
Quaker Voluntary Action Retreat Programme 2026 announcement banner with orange APPLY button.
QVA's 2026 Retreats Programme is live! Applications are currently open for:
⚡️Working Retreat at Svartbäcken #Quaker Centre in Sweden, 6 - 12 July
⚡️Encounter Retreat in collaboration with Quaker Council for European Affairs in Brussels, 30 November - 4 December
qva.org.uk/2026-retreat...
'Quaker Voluntary Action 2026 retreat programme coming soon' in black text over orange background with white star burst surrounding text.
Our 2026 retreat programme launches very soon, with:
👉 return to a popular working retreat
👉 new #volunteering opportunities
👉 exciting partnerships & collaborations
Get our newsletter for the latest on #Quaker Voluntary Action retreats in the UK & the rest of Europe: qva.org.uk/subscribe/
Find out more & discover 2026 volunteering opportunities by subscribing to our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe/ #IVD2025
Composite of Quaker Voluntary Action volunteers doing garden work, maintenance and making sleeping bags for refugees. Black text overlays a green box, reading: International Volunteer Day every contribution matters #IVD2025
Celebrating the impact of QVA volunteers for #InternationalVolunteerDay
Working Retreat volunteers do maintenance & practical tasks for host venues & social projects.
📣 Encounter Retreat volunteers support & advocate for global concerns such as peace, climate justice & migration.
#IVD2025
A rainbow drawn on a road in chalk The History, Present, and Future of LGBTQIA+ People in Quakerism 3 February - 10 March £60
What led Quakers to solidarity with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people ahead of other religious groups in the twentieth century? Explore the history of Quaker support for gay rights and look at the present and future of Quaker affirmation of LGBTQ+ people.
Find out more: https://ow.ly/SONa50Xz7ML
Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about opportunities for Encounter Retreats in 2026: qva.org.uk/subscribe/
#Quakers
Webinar “Europe is rearming once again: is our right to conscientious objection at risk?”
📍Join us next week for a webinar about conscientious objection!
📅 December 9 (Tuesday)
🕒17:30 Bxl Time, 16:30 UK Time
🌐 Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January planning weekend Lancaster quaker meeting house 9th to the 11th january 2026 Registrations now open!
Registration is now open for our January planning weekend in Lancaster. Please register no later than the 26th of December so our logistics committee know how many people to expect!
Click here for more information and to register: yfgm.quaker.org.uk/yfgm-plannin...
Quaker Voluntary Action retreat participants work together around a table. A yellow venn diagram is overlaid with back text on a white background, which reads: What happens on an Encounter Retreat?
On Encounter Retreats we study a topic of social concern in a specific local context.
💬 That looks like:
- Speakers
- Discussions
- Skill-building activities
🏛️ We also enjoy:
- Cultural events, visits and activities
- Daily worship
- Free time
Find out more: qva.org.uk
#Quakers
Two Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat volunteers repainting a building in Sweden
Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat volunteers relaxing in late afternoon sun around a BBQ amongst trees in Sweden.
On our Working Retreat in Svartbäcken in Sweden last year, we spent time together:
🪵Building community
❤️Exploring the spiritual theme 'What does love require of us?'
🧹Doing practical work
QVA retreats are open to all. Find out more here: qva.org.uk/retreats/
#Quakers #Volunteering #SpiritualRetreat
Two brightly dressed, smiling women face the camera against a backdrop of trees and a stone building. Black text over a pink bubble reads Facilitate a Retreat. Quaker Voluntary Action welcomes expressions of interest from people interested in facilitating spiritually themed, practical Working Retreats in the UK, the rest of Europe, or the Middle East. Day rate & expenses paid. Further details and to express an interest: qva.org.uk/facilitators
Could you facilitate a QVA retreat?
Visit qva.org.uk/facilitators/ to download our Facilitator's Handbook and complete an Expression of Interest form. We look forward to getting to know you!
#QuakerRetreat #Quakers
Do you know someone who'd like to share their financial skills & expertise? 👇 We're looking for a new Treasurer to join our team of Trustees.