A new bank holiday should be introduced in 2012 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics and Paralympics and seal a triumphant year for volunteers across the UK, says a coalition of organisations backing a Community Day bank holiday today (Monday).
Communities across the UK are set to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in May 2012. The London Olympics and Paralympics in July and August will depend on their 70,000 volunteers. A new bank holiday in late October would be the perfect opportunity to recognise and celebrate the nation's volunteering efforts, says the coalition.
The coalition, which includes the TUC, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Community Service Volunteers (CSV), Volunteering England and the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), is calling for a new Community Day bank holiday to celebrate volunteering and encourage people to take part in community events.
Activities that could take place on the day might include organising a street party, running a local sports day, clearing up a nature reserve or local park, or helping at a local animal shelter.
Trades Union Congress