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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 02/10/2026

In this week’s edition of the Friend, #Quaker Voluntary Action Trustee Jez Smith reflects on Jennifer Kavanagh’s talk, a personal reflection on Pathways to #Peace, given at our AGM last month. Find the video & transcript here: qva.org.uk/jennifer-kav...

Inside page of magazine showing article by Jez Smith on Quaker Voluntary Action’s AGM where Jennifer Kavanagh spoke on Pathways to Peace.

Front cover of 2 October 2026 issue of the Friend, showing a wooden gate with a sign reading ‘MEMBER?’, in front of a shady woodland.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 28/09/2026

If you’ve ever thought, 'what can I do, what is my calling?', Jennifer Kavanagh's talk on #Quaker Voluntary Action’s annual theme, Pathways to Peace provides encouragement, inspiration and reassurance. 🕊️ Video and written transcript from our AGM available now: qva.org.uk/jennifer-kav...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 25/09/2026

Please help us welcome Agnes Jones to the Quaker Voluntary Action Board of Trustees! Agnes is a recent QVA volunteer, #Quaker United Nations Summer School (QUNSS) participant, and geography graduate. Check out our latest blog post, where Agnes introduces herself: qva.org.uk/agnes-jones-...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 18/09/2026

Welcome to our new followers! QVA brings together small teams of volunteers that make a big impact. We welcome adults of all faiths and none, and offer financial support. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest opportunities: qva.org.uk/subscribe/

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 10/09/2026

Friendly reminder that all are welcome at our AGM this Saturday 12 September at 14.00 BST on Zoom. Guest speaker Jennifer Kavanagh will talk on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace. Get the Zoom link, agenda and papers by subscribing to our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe/

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 04/09/2026

AGM Zoom link, agenda & papers went out to our newsletter community this morning.📮But don't worry, there's still time to get your invitation! Just sign up to our newsletter here: qva.org.uk/subscribe/ Everyone is welcome to join us to hear guest speaker Jennifer Kavanagh speak on Pathways to Peace.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 28/08/2026

Delighted to announce that #Quaker writer Jennifer Kavanagh will be the guest speaker at the Quaker Voluntary Action AGM on Saturday 12 September 14.00 BST via Zoom. Jennifer will speak on our annual theme, Pathways to #Peace. All welcome! Get the details via our newsletter: qva.org.uk/subscribe

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 19/08/2026

You are warmly invited to #Quaker Voluntary Action's AGM on 12 September at 14.00 BST via Zoom. Subscribe to our newsletter for the joining link: www.qva.org.uk/subscribe The AGM will include an inspiring talk from a guest speaker (announced soon) on our annual theme, Pathways to Peace.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 10/08/2026

The Svartbäcken Summons: a call to all #Quakers to witness for #peace. Read the minute discerned by participants during a QVA Working Retreat this July: qva.org.uk/the-svartbac...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 04/08/2026

"We have asked ourselves what we, as #Quakers, can do to build peace..." Epistle from the Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat to Svartbäcken, Swden: qva.org.uk/epistle-svar...

2 volunteers sit on decking, they are talking and listening to each other. Towards the bottom, black text over yellow background reads: We have asked ourselves what we, as Quakers, can do to build peace.

4 Quaker Voluntary Action retreat participants sit on chairs in a meeting room. They are contemplating the reflection session's activities. Towards the bottom, black text over yellow background reads: When we think of peace, we see the unfolding story of..

3 people sit at a wood picnic bench. One has a parrot on her shoulder. Another stands in the background. Towards the bottom, black text over yellow background reads: a gathered community... This is the life that we have experienced this week.

Sunset over a lake, one person stands on a pontoon with their arm outstretched. Towards the bottom, black text over yellow background reads: Read the Epistle in full at qva.org.uk

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 31/07/2026

"To all Friends everywhere, we are 21 participants from Great Britain, Sweden and Germany who gathered for a Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat at Svartbäcken, a #Quaker centre north of Stockholm from 6-12 July 2026..." Read the Epistle in full & see stunning photos: qva.org.uk/epistle-svar...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 17/07/2026

More joyful photos from our recent Gathering Retreat for #queer #Quakers and allies, held in partnership with Quaker Rainbow. Read the retreat Epistle in full here: qva.org.uk/epistle-qva-...

1. Two books - Quaker Faith and Practice and Advices and Queries - on a table, both have Quaker Rainbow stickers on their red covers. Black text on teal background: Epistle from the QVA x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat...

2. A person wearing a baseball cap and stripy top stands to speak into a microphone. Fellow retreat participants are in the background, listening to them. Black text on teal background: “This weekend has modelled what happens when...

3. Two people, one wearing a baseball cap, lean on a gate with flowers in foreground. Black text on teal background: we centre inclusivity, show up for each other...

4. Two smiling retreat participants stand in beautiful countryside, holding gathered leaves, etc. They are wearing bright green lanyards with name tags. Black text on teal background: and advocate for each other’s needs.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 13/07/2026

"To all Friends everywhere, From 26 to 28 June 2026, 36 Friends and 3 Facilitators gathered at The Hayes, Derbyshire for a Gathering Retreat for LGBTQIA+ #Quakers and allies, and 3 Friends joined online" Read the Epistle in full & see more images from the retreat: qva.org.uk/epistle-qva-...

'Epistle from our recent Gathering Retreat' in black text sits underneath the Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow logos. In the centre is a photograph of retreat participants standing in front of a lake with ice creams. A magenta and teal swoosh sits at the bottom of the graphic.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 03/07/2026

Donate to support #Quaker #volunteering qva.org.uk/donate/ Every donation helps to: - Give low-income volunteers life-changing experiences - Ensure QVA retreats are safe, supportive spaces - Create new volunteering opportunities - Send practical help to more Quaker Centres

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 26/06/2026

Did your Local #Quaker Meeting receive our information pack? We welcome your feedback or questions about our #volunteering programme! Didn't get it? You can ask Suzie, our Comms Manager - find her email address here: qva.org.uk/contact

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 18/06/2026

One place has become available on our #Queer #Quaker residential weekend! qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Book by 12 noon Friday 19 June for: - LGBTQIA+ community-building - Worship - Reflection & discussion - Activities & entertainments - Leisure time in beautiful surroundings Tiered fees & financial support

Queer Quaker residential weekend June 2026 headline, with a landscape image for the venue, a large historical building in gardens. A magenta and teal 'swoosh' graphic at the bottom sits behind the QVA website address.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 29/05/2026

Places on our #Queer #Quaker residential weekend are now filling fast! Currently just 8 places left, bookings close 8 June. Open to all LGBTQIA+ aged 14+ We offer financial support & you'll never have to justify asking. Full details & book here: qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Reposts much appreciated 🙏

Queer Quaker Residential Weekend in black text appears below the Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow logos. An image of the venue, an impressive older building in gardens appears in the middle, and a magenta and teal 'swoosh' graphic appears at the bottom.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 26/05/2026

We have 13 places left on our #Queer #Quaker 'Gathering Retreat', a residential weekend in beautiful Derbyshire this June. Please book now to secure your place: qva.org.uk/rainbow/ Open to all LGBTQIA+ folks from around the world, whether Quaker or Quaker-curious / ish. 🏳️‍🌈 Reposts appreciated! 🙏

Queer Quaker Residential Weekend in black text underneath the Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow logos. An image of the venue, an historic building with gardens sits underneath, with a magenta and teal graphic swoosh at the bottom.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 20/05/2026

Our #Queer Quaker Residential Weekend is 26-28 June in Derbyshire, UK. Please book now to secure your place! It's open to all LGBTQIA+ people and their allies aged 14+ from around the world, whether #Quaker or Quaker-curious. We offer tiered fees & financial support. qva.org.uk/rainbow/

A headline in bold black text reads: Queer Quaker Residential Weekend. The Quaker Voluntary Action and Quaker Rainbow logos sit just above it. Below is a photograph of the retreat location, an old building set in a beautiful garden. Text just above the photo details that the retreat is open to all LGBTQIA+ people and allies aged 14+. A teal and magenta 'swoosh' sit at the bottom of the post.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 15/05/2026

What does hope mean to you? Leave a comment and check out our partnership with A Million Acts of Hope: we’ve gathered 17 Quaker volunteering stories from up and down the country into one inspiring blog post: qva.org.uk/million-acts...

'What does hope mean to you?' in white text over a green box towards the bottom left of a composite graphic, with three images of volunteers, and the Quaker Voluntary Action and A Million Acts of Hope logos at the bottom.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 14/05/2026

Celebrate the hopefuls! Our latest blog post is packed full of joyful & inspiring #volunteering stories gathered from our #Quaker @quaker.org.uk networks. It’s our act of hope for A Million Acts of Hope. qva.org.uk/million-acts...

'Celebrate the hopefuls' in white text over a green box in the centre of a composite graphic, with 4 images of volunteers, and the Quaker Voluntary Action and A Million Acts of Hope logos at the bottom.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 13/05/2026

Sign the UK’s biggest ever thank you card to remind Britain that hope can be louder than hate. We know you can push it over the target of 75,000 signatures! millionactsofhope.org

Sign the biggest ever thank you card to the people who make hope happen. Hope is in pink, with a smiley face in the middle of the letter o.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 08/05/2026

What an amazing Britain Yearly Meeting that was! @quaker.org.uk We were glad to meet past, present (and future) volunteers, trustees, staff, and partners, our counterparts in other Quaker organisations, and to meet and thank some of our donors in person.

Friends House, London under blue skies, with a printed sign in the foreground

Quaker Voluntary Action trustee stands next to a tall display and behind an information table at QVA's Groups Fair Stand in the Library at Friends House, during Britain Yearly meeting.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 29/04/2026

QVA will be at Britain Yearly Meeting Groups Fair. Find us in the Library at Friends House this Saturday 2 May 12.45-14.15. We welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone with a connection to, or an interest in, #Quaker Voluntary Action.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 24/04/2026

Please welcome Jez Smith to our Board of Trustees! Jez has worked with various EMES Quaker organisations and contributes fundraising, relationship building, project management and communications experience to our Board. Meet Jez at the YM Groups Fair on Saturday 2 May. qva.org.uk/jez-smith-qv...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 16/04/2026

Join the hopefuls! We're collecting YOUR stories of #Quaker #volunteering to share for the 'A Million Acts of Hope' week of action, 13-20 May. Here's how to get involved: qva.org.uk/quaker-volun... #MillionActsofHope

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 10/04/2026

Could you share your #Quaker #volunteering story: - Collecting clothes for refugees? - Litter picking in your local area? - Helping at the foodbank, library or youth club? QVA is gathering stories of Spirit-led action to share for 'A Million Acts of Hope'. Details: qva.org.uk/quaker-volun...

A Million Acts of Hope campaign image, with a smily face inside the 'o' in 'Hope'.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 27/03/2026

Bookings are now open for the QVA x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat this June! Open to all LGBTQIA+ people and their allies, aged 14+. We hope you can join us in Derbyshire for a weekend of friendship, spiritual nurture and community-building. qva.org.uk/rainbow/

Quaker Voluntary Action x Quaker Rainbow Gathering Retreat announcement

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 13/03/2026

Would you like to: - Give low-income volunteers life-changing experiences? - Ensure retreats are safe, supportive spaces? - Create new volunteering opportunities? - Send practical help to more Quaker Centres? Please visit the #Quaker Voluntary Action website to donate: qva.org.uk/donate Thank you.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 20/02/2026

“It is very affirming and empowering to do good, tangible work." - Matthew, QVA Trustee. We're celebrating 25 years of volunteer retreats and are thankful to everybody past and present who has made them possible. 🙏 Learn more, volunteer & donate: qva.org.uk/25-years-vol...

Celebrating 25 years of volunteer retreats - Quaker Voluntary Action. Thank you to all past and present volunteers, facilitators, donors, hosts, partners, trustees, staff, and Friends. www.qva.org.uk

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 09/02/2026

📍3 reasons to join our Encounter Retreat in collaboration with @qcea.bsky.social in #Brussels this November: 1. Learn about #Quaker work in the EU 2. Explore pressing issues like #migration & democratic crises 3. Experience Belgian culture through trips & workshops Register here 👉 qva.org.uk/qcea/

3 reasons to join the QCEA x QVA retreat November 2026

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 04/02/2026

📍 Save the date for our retreat in collaboration with the Quaker Council for European Affairs @qcea.bsky.social Join us in Brussels 30 November - 4 December 2026 to explore Quaker peace work in the EU. Sounds interesting? Register here 👉 qva.org.uk/qcea/

Save the date notice, an Encounter Retreat held by Quaker Voluntary Action and the Quaker Council for European Affairs.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 23/01/2026

Our retreat programme is live, so let's highlight what your donations allow us to do: * offer bursary support so volunteers can take part no matter their financial circumstances * run retreats & develop our programme * train retreat facilitators Visit qva.org.uk/donate to donate. Thank you.

Donations to Quaker Voluntary Action make a difference

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 19/12/2025

QVA's 2026 Retreats Programme is live! Applications are currently open for: ⚡️Working Retreat at Svartbäcken #Quaker Centre in Sweden, 6 - 12 July ⚡️Encounter Retreat in collaboration with Quaker Council for European Affairs in Brussels, 30 November - 4 December qva.org.uk/2026-retreat...

Quaker Voluntary Action Retreat Programme 2026 announcement banner with orange APPLY button.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 13/12/2025

Our 2026 retreat programme launches very soon, with: 👉 return to a popular working retreat 👉 new #volunteering opportunities 👉 exciting partnerships & collaborations Get our newsletter for the latest on #Quaker Voluntary Action retreats in the UK & the rest of Europe: qva.org.uk/subscribe/

'Quaker Voluntary Action 2026 retreat programme coming soon' in black text over orange background with white star burst surrounding text.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 05/12/2025

Celebrating the impact of QVA volunteers for #InternationalVolunteerDay 🪏 Working Retreat volunteers do maintenance & practical tasks for host venues & social projects. 📣 Encounter Retreat volunteers support & advocate for global concerns such as peace, climate justice & migration. #IVD2025

Composite of Quaker Voluntary Action volunteers doing garden work, maintenance and making sleeping bags for refugees. Black text overlays a green box, reading: International Volunteer Day every contribution matters #IVD2025

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 28/11/2025

On Encounter Retreats we study a topic of social concern in a specific local context. 💬 That looks like: - Speakers - Discussions - Skill-building activities 🏛️ We also enjoy: - Cultural events, visits and activities - Daily worship - Free time Find out more: qva.org.uk #Quakers

Quaker Voluntary Action retreat participants work together around a table. A yellow venn diagram is overlaid with back text on a white background, which reads: What happens on an Encounter Retreat?

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 20/11/2025

On our Working Retreat in Svartbäcken in Sweden last year, we spent time together: 🪵Building community ❤️Exploring the spiritual theme 'What does love require of us?' 🧹Doing practical work QVA retreats are open to all. Find out more here: qva.org.uk/retreats/ #Quakers #Volunteering #SpiritualRetreat

Two Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat volunteers repainting a building in Sweden

Quaker Voluntary Action Working Retreat volunteers relaxing in late afternoon sun around a BBQ amongst trees in Sweden.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 11/11/2025

Could you facilitate a QVA retreat? Visit qva.org.uk/facilitators/ to download our Facilitator's Handbook and complete an Expression of Interest form. We look forward to getting to know you! #QuakerRetreat #Quakers

Two brightly dressed, smiling women face the camera against a backdrop of trees and a stone building. Black text over a pink bubble reads Facilitate a Retreat. Quaker Voluntary Action welcomes expressions of interest from people interested in facilitating spiritually themed, practical Working Retreats in the UK, the rest of Europe, or the Middle East. Day rate & expenses paid. Further details and to express an interest: qva.org.uk/facilitators

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 06/11/2025

If you thought being a charity trustee was all pain and no gain, think again! Check out our latest blog post for #TrusteesWeek it's full of insights from QVA's Trustees. qva.org.uk/charity-trus...

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 30/10/2025

Q. Do I have to be a Quaker to go on a QVA retreat? A. No - we welcome people of all faiths, and none. Head over to our FAQs page for more: qva.org.uk/faqs/ #QuakerVoluntaryAction #Quakers #Volunteering

Retreat FAQs: two black and white speech bubbles against cyan background. The first has the question: Do I have to be a Quaker to go on a QVA retreat? The second has the answer: No! We welcome people of all faiths and none. Black text at the bottom reads SWIPE.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 29/10/2025

We're hiring! QVA is looking for a Treasurer to join our board of Trustees. You don't have to be a Quaker to apply. We're a small but vibrant charity, ambitious about our future and keen to diversify our team. Details & how to apply: qva.org.uk/vacancies/ Please repost, we appreciate your help!

‘We're Hiring’ blue sign over white background, the image has an orange border. White text in blue button reads Treasurer Trustee, followed by Quaker Voluntary Action name and Vacancies URL in blue text.

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Quaker Voluntary Action @qva.org.uk · 28/10/2025

Quaker Voluntary Action builds small teams that make a big impact, through volunteering Retreats in the UK, the rest of Europe, and the Middle East. Find out more: qva.org.uk #Quaker #Volunteering #Retreats

Small teams, big impact: orange bordered image with yellow background and black text, which reads: We bring together teams of volunteers for three to fourteen days at a time to live in community, participate in themed spiritual exploration and do practical work for a host venue or social project in the UK, the rest of Europe, or the Middle East. Visit our website to earn more.

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