The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have video called people across the UK to mark Volunteers’ Week.
Prince William and Kate spoke to volunteers from two organisations, Conscious Youth, which supports young people in Kirklees in West Yorkshire, and Machynlleth Community Corona Response in Powys, Wales, which was set up to help vulnerable people during the pandemic.
It comes as the palace has also shared more details of other ways the couple have been helping behind the scenes.
William has been volunteering for Shout85258, the UK’s first 24/7 crisis text line providing mental health support.
They spoke to volunteers at Conscious Youth, an organisation working with young people from mainly black and other ethnic minority backgrounds
The Duke is one of more than 2,000 Crisis Volunteers who are trained to support anyone, anytime, whatever their crisis may be.
Kate has also been taking part in “check in and chat” calls with people who are self-isolating or vulnerable, as part of the Royal Voluntary Service’s NHS Volunteer Responders scheme.
Back in April the couple and their children also helped to pack up and deliver food parcels to isolated pensioners living near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The couple have got used to making video calls to charities, volunteers and key workers throughout the pandemic, as social distancing restrictions and lockdown have prevented them from carrying out traditional royal engagements in person.
Speaking to volunteers on one of the video calls, William said: “It’s National Volunteering Week and I want to say a big thank you from both of us.
“Thank you for all the volunteering you’re doing, thank you for all the time and effort you’re putting in. It’s been hugely rewarding and important that you guys are doing that and you have been a lifeline to all the people who you’ve helped in the area.”
While Kate added: “One of the things that would be amazing is if everyone in their communities was to carry on and still celebrate volunteering in a way that they have been during the pandemic. Everyone’s got something to give back.”
To mark #VolunteersWeek, The Prince of Wales has shared a message of thanks to @samaritans volunteers for the time they dedicate to helping others ??
Their network of over 20,000 volunteers provide a free, confidential listening service 24/7 for those who need it most. pic.twitter.com/2XNzEiExN1
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) June 5, 2020
The Prince of Wales also released a video message on Friday thanking Samaritans volunteers.
In it he said: “As Patron of the Samaritans for more than twenty years now, I particularly wanted to mark this year’s Volunteers’ Week by sending my warmest possible thanks to all those who dedicate their time to helping others.
“The current crisis has made us appreciate the importance of volunteers more than ever. In all walks of life, people have risen to the challenge in the most inspiring way, ensuring that help can be given to those who need it most.”
