Posted on Wednesday 29th May 2019
Katrina Burn, Support Staffordshire Volunteer Advisor along with Katharine House Hospice Volunteers in Cannock
People from across Staffordshire are getting ready to celebrate those individuals making a real difference in local communities.
The celebrations are part of National Volunteers’ Week, which starts on Saturday 1 June and is a chance to recognise and say thanks to the county’s army of volunteers.
Staffordshire has thousands of volunteers making a real difference every day and with the latest figures showing that at least 1 in 4 people regularly do something unpaid to help others, it’s become very much the norm.
From helping out at sports clubs, libraries or children’s centres, or supporting those people in communities that are most in need – elderly, young people, and children and families – it all makes a difference.
Throughout the week, information events along with the Support Staffordshire Volunteer Star Awards will all be recognising the contributions of the county’s volunteers. The following volunteering awards ceremonies are taking place:
• Tuesday 4 June, Beau Desert Golf Club, Cannock
• Friday 7 June, Pirelli Stadium, Burton-on-Trent
• Tuesday 11 June, The Boat House, Aston Marina, Stone
• Thursday 13 June, Westwood Golf Club, Leek
• Thursday 20 June, Perton Park Golf Club, Perton
• Wednesday 17 July, The George Hotel, Lichfield
People can also find out more about volunteering at the Volunteers Fair in Lichfield on Monday 3 June from 11:00am to 1:30pm.
Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We have thousands of volunteers making a huge difference in local community’s right across the county and this is our chance to recognise them for their hard work.
“Whether it’s doing that little bit extra in your neighbourhood, like volunteering in a library or at a country park or supporting those people that are most in need, it all makes a huge difference to local communities.
“There’s lots of volunteering opportunities available, so if you want to make a difference and you have some spare time, it’s a really rewarding thing to do.”
Staffordshire County Council works closely with SCVYS (Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services) and Support Staffordshire to increase volunteering and get local communities acting on the issues that are important to them.
Garry Jones, Chief Executive at Support Staffordshire added:
“For Volunteers’ Week 2019 we are hosting a number of Volunteer Star Awards ceremonies across Staffordshire, with the support of local businesses. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognise and celebrate the amazing contribution and achievements of local volunteers.”
Phil Pusey, Chief Executive at SCVYS said:
“Staffordshire has a wonderful history of dedicated volunteering, and we want to take every opportunity to celebrate and value this contribution. Volunteering is particularly vital for the ongoing provision of positive activities for children, young people and families.
“The benefits of volunteering are well evidenced and wide ranging, making it a win-win-win scenario for volunteers, organisations and the wider community alike, so do consider how you might get involved.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Support Staffordshire on 0300 777 1207. Current volunteering opportunities can also be found on the do-it volunteering website.