ValueYou is a charity that offers a volunteer recognition scheme for people who dedicate time volunteering in their community. We believe that communities should find ways to say thank you to people who help out. Our initiative partners with local independent businesses who want to give by offering a discount and gifts to our volunteer members. Membership is free of charge, and our work helps to encourage people to shop locally and support small businesses.
We first launched the scheme in Ealing in February 2014. We expanded to Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea in early 2015 and to Islington and Camden in June 2015. In 2016 we launched the scheme in Croydon, Hounslow, Wandsworth, Barnet, Merton, Redbridge and in 2017 in Portsmouth. In April 2018 we introduced ValueYou in Lambeth, in June, Hackney and Havering and in November we launched in Kingston. 2019 has now seen us expand to the town of Walsall.
We are mainly funded by grant giving organisations and councils. We have a very small team with one paid member of staff and a few of our own dedicated volunteers. Our Board makes sure we are well run and we make good use of our funds for the benefit of the community.