Celebrating Service: Volunteering

Celebrating the Heart of Reiki: Honouring Our Volunteers During Volunteers’ Week
By Anne-Marie Carratu, Chair of the UK Reiki Federation

As Chair of the UK Reiki Federation, I wear many hats – but perhaps the most meaningful of all is the one I wear as a volunteer. I want to take a moment to honour the dedicated individuals who give their time, their energy, and their hearts in service of something greater than themselves. Volunteering is often described as “giving back,” but within the Reiki community, it feels even more sacred – it’s a conscious act of offering healing, compassion, and connection.

The UK Reiki Federation is led almost entirely by volunteers. We are practitioners, teachers, and advocates who choose to contribute our time and skills to help uphold the integrity of Reiki practice and raise awareness of its benefits. None of us have to do this – we choose to. And therein lies the magic of volunteering: it’s a gift freely given.

When I stepped into this role, I knew it came with responsibility. But what has touched me the most is the deep sense of collaboration and unity I’ve experienced with others who serve alongside me. These are people juggling careers, family life, health challenges, and personal commitments – yet they still find time to show up. They answer emails late at night. They support practitioners in distress. They help organise events, write policies, mentor newcomers, and advocate for Reiki on a national stage. Often, they do all of this quietly, without expectation of recognition. It is their selflessness that keeps the Federation alive and thriving.

Volunteering in a complementary health organisation has a unique flavour. It’s not just about administration or logistics – although those are important. It’s also about holding space for others. It’s about being present, listening deeply, and maintaining integrity in how we represent our practice to the world. In Reiki, we are taught to live by principles – including “Just for today, I will be kind.” That principle is alive and well in every volunteer who contributes to this Federation.

This past year, we’ve seen volunteers rise to new challenges – adapting to evolving regulations, expanding our educational resources, supporting public awareness campaigns, and advocating for Reiki in healthcare settings. Some of our volunteers have shared Reiki in hospices, hospitals, schools, and community centres, all while navigating the pressures of post-pandemic life. Their work may be quiet, even invisible to some, but its impact is deeply felt.

June’s emphasis on Volunteering is not just a time to say thank you – although that is important. It’s a chance to pause and reflect on what volunteering means, not only for those who give but also for those who receive. Every email answered with compassion, every listening ear offered to a new practitioner, every hour spent updating a guideline or running a local support group – these are acts of service that ripple outwards. Reiki itself is based on energy and intention, and when we volunteer from a place of love and alignment, we are practising Reiki in its truest form.

I also want to speak directly to those who may be considering volunteering within the Reiki world or beyond. You don’t have to have years of experience. You don’t have to know everything. What matters is your intention and your willingness to contribute. Whether it’s offering a few hours a month or stepping into a larger leadership role, your time matters. Your voice matters. You matter.

Volunteering has given me so much. It has deepened my understanding of Reiki, yes, but also of people – their struggles, their hopes, and their capacity for kindness. I have gained skills I didn’t expect to develop and forged friendships that I know will last a lifetime. And I have discovered, again and again, that when we give from the heart, we receive far more than we ever expected.

So to my fellow volunteers within the UK Reiki Federation and in the wider community: thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your unwavering belief in the power of healing. You are the heart of this organisation. You embody the Reiki principles every day, not just in your practice but in your service to others.

Let us shine a light on your contributions – not just with words of praise, but with continued support, encouragement, and appreciation. Let us make space for new voices to join us, and let us never underestimate the quiet, transformative power of people who care enough to give their time to something bigger than themselves.