To mark the start of Volunteers' Week, we’re celebrating the fabulous work our volunteers do. From running grassroots events to offering programme advice and speaking about our vision, our diverse volunteer pool is integral to our organisation.

Throughout this week, we’ll be showcasing some of the amazing work they do. Today, we’d like to share some numbers, and say a massive THANK YOU to all of you out there.

Across 2017, there were 1,380 of you.

Broken down, that is…

731 branch volunteers across 38 branches

Members of the public enjoying a local branch event

Our volunteer-led branches help extend the reach of our activities throughout the UK and form a widespread network of contacts, expertise, creativity and a passion for engaging the public with science. 

In 2017 they ran an impressive 546 events, involving over 1,100 STEM professionals. The events reached over 53k participants, which is no mean feat!

67 Section Members, contributing to 30 events at British Science Festival

Audience members at a Section Festival event

Since the foundation of the British Science Festival (BSF), the Scientific Sections, comprised of science professionals, have played a key role for the British Science Association. Their expertise helps us develop our programme of events, organise talks, demonstrations and other activities.

We’re currently finalising this year’s BSF programme and we can’t wait to reveal the amazing events they’ll be contributing to this year. Watch this space!

28 Council and General Committee members

The Council is our principal decision-making body and The General Committee is our main strategic advisory body. It goes without saying, that without their time, dedication, effort and expertise, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish a lot of the great work that we do.

53 Youth Panel Members

A Youth Panel meeting

In 2017, our 53 Youth Panel members took part in a range of roles, from feedback sessions at BSF, to helping facilitate our Youth Grand Challenges Event, to taking part in Future Forum where they discussed how science and technology can help solve community challenges.

Earlier this year, Lucy Chen, one of our Youth Panel members wrote a blog about her experience, which you can read here.

15 CREST Advisory Teachers

We have newly relaunched our Teachers Advisory Network (TAN). The purpose of this is to help teachers improve and make the best use of CREST, whilst shining a spotlight on those who go above and beyond. If you’re interested in finding out more, please email the CREST Awards team at [email protected]

520 volunteers signed up to Science Live

Science Live is our events platform which aims to connect each part of the science event equation: the public, speakers, volunteers and organisers. If you’re looking for an event, or attendees or volunteers to take part in your event, you can find them here.

Without volunteers, our platform couldn’t operate, so thank you to everyone who has given up their time to run and event, or help others deliver theirs.

Are you thinking about volunteering? Listen to our fabulous volunteers from our Nottingham branch tell us why they volunteer, and what they get out of it. Find out more about our volunteering opportunities here.