Michael Fabricant has volunteered his time to Lichfield volunteers in a symbolic gesture "to all those who spend their days and evenings volunteering full time to help others" when he joined them in the Market Square in Lichfield recently. And Michael attended an event in the House of Commons organised by Volunteering England to say thank you to all the volunteers in the Lichfield and Burntwood constituency.

50 MPs from around the country gathered in London to say ‘Thank You’ to the thousands of volunteers in their constituencies as part of National Volunteers’ Week celebrations.

Michael adds: "I’d like to say ‘a big thank you’ to everyone who gives their time for the benefit of our community. Volunteers’ Week was an ideal time to recognise the amazing contribution volunteers make and I’d like to encourage more people to get involved where they can. With volunteering there’s something for everyone – whether it’s mentoring young people, supporting the elderly or campaigning on local issues. It’s a great way to meet people and make a real difference to other peoples’ lives."

The event was organised by Volunteering England, the volunteer development charity, to mark the end of national Volunteers’ Week, which runs from the 1 to 7 June each year. Volunteers from a number of organisations were on hand to share their stories with MPs, including the Cadets, the National Trust, Timebank, Youthnet and BTCV.

Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England, says: "I am pleased to see that Michael and so many other MPs recognise the importance of volunteering and have taken the time to come here and thank the volunteers in their local communities. The country faces many challenges in the current economic climate and volunteering will have a central role to play in ensuring that we emerge stronger and more resilient"

Volunteers’ Week has also received ministerial support from the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, and the Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd MP.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, says: "When I travel across the country, I have the privilege of meeting so many dedicated volunteers doing incredible jobs for charities, organisation and their communities.

"Volunteering is a fantastic way for people to give something back but also to learn new skills, make new friends and perhaps take a first step back into employment.

"It’s absolutely right to take time out to pay tribute to our many volunteers, which is why Volunteers’ Week is such a fantastic initiative; and it’s in that spirit that this Government will be launching a national day to celebrate and encourage social action."

And Nick Hurd says: "We have entered a new era of people power at the centre of the new Government and volunteering is a key part of this. Big Society is all about empowering local people and communities to bring about the changes they know their community needs."

Volunteers’ Week is an initiative of the volunteer development agencies working across the UK: Volunteering England, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Volunteer Now and Volunteer Development Scotland. Volunteering England is an independent charity and membership organisation, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity.

The photograph shows Michael Fabricant (left) with Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England