Pub is The Hub partnered with the organisers of Thank You Day 2024, which took place on Sunday 7 July, to help encourage pubs across the UK to help recognise and give thanks for the significant contribution volunteers make to local communities.

Thank You Day, now in its fourth year, saw pubs getting involved by hosting Thank You Day events and taking part in a national ‘Cheers For Volunteers’ organised by the Royal Voluntary Service. Pub is The Hub worked with the Together Coalition, the organisers of the initiative, in conjunction with the BBPA, to produce a guide full of tips and inspiration to help support publicans getting involved.

The initiative was started by organisers the Together Coalition to thank the millions of workers and volunteers who helped support people during the pandemic. Among supporters of this year’s Thank You Day were The Royal Family, new PM Keir Starmer, the WI and Scouts.

Supporting Thank You Day builds on Pub is The Hub’s work through its ‘Join Inn – Last Orders for Loneliness’ initiative, which building on its community services work, looks to support publicans and their communities, particularly in rural areas, to become better connected, helping local people feel less isolated and, in the process helping to alleviate loneliness.

John Longden, chief executive of Pub is The Hub, said:

“By working with specialist activity organisations, such as Together Coalition’s Thank You Day, to help signpost publicans to impactful activities that can help bring people together, many more people can benefit from the welcoming space and inspirational support available through pubs and publicans, who increasingly are having such a big social impact in their local areas.”

Village pubs thank local legends

The White Lion at Selling, Kent, was among pubs who took part with publicans Karen Johnson and David Thompson using the day as an opportunity to thank villagers who help support local people with a ‘a ‘socialising, sangria and snacks’ event, including a ‘Cheers For Volunteers’ attended by around 40 people.

Publican Karen said:

“It was a great opportunity to thank village volunteers for helping make Selling a great place to live. We’d love to make this an annual event. It gave us the opportunity to socialise, with lots of new faces too, and thank Selling’s superstars.”

Community owned pub The Dog Inn at Belthorn, Lancashire, was another pub who took part by hosting a party for around 20 of the pub’s volunteers and staff with a free bar, buffet and live music.

Yvonne Brown, secretary of the Dog Inn Community Benefit Society, said:

“We believe it is important to thank our hardworking staff and volunteers, who are the backbone of our pub, and behind all our success. It was a wonderful event and I would recommend other pubs to get involved in Thank You Day.”

For more information about Pub is The Hub’s ‘Join Inn – Last Orders For Loneliness’ initiative visit www.pubisthehub.org.uk/join-inn-last-orders-for-loneliness/