Posted on Monday 8th May 2023
The Staffordshire Corps of Drums ACF prepares to march during The Big Help Out event at Victoria Park, Stafford.
Coronation weekend drew to a close today with Staffordshire residents doing their bit to lend a hand to help voluntary organisations.
As part of The Big Help Out, charities and groups across the county were opening their doors and promoting themselves to volunteers who might want to give a little of their time and see what is happening in their communities.
In Staffordshire activities included charities promoting their work during a celebration in Stafford’s Victoria Park, The Brampton Museum in Newcastle announcing a whole series of initiatives including befriending and developing a wildlife haven on the museum’s doorstep, a litter pick in Stretton, community gardening and clean-up in Whiston and Staffordshire Young Farmers donating food collections to Stafford’s House of Bread.
Victoria Wilson, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Communities and Culture, said:
It’s been a wonderful weekend of celebration and community and The Big Help Out is a great way for us to draw that together and celebrate the benefits of volunteering.
So many people do so many wonderful things in Staffordshire, things that make an impact on communities, or change the lives of others by offering help or opportunities and I think it’s wonderful that this celebration has been used to spotlight their work and encourage people to think ‘is there anything I can do to help?’”
The Big Help Out organisers hope that today is just a starting point for an increase in volunteering and people interested can find out more through its website.
The Big Help Out marks the end of a weekend of Royal celebration with all manner of events, including special screenings at The Brampton museum in Newcastle and Lichfield Cathedral, markets and fairs in Leek, Stafford and Newcastle, plus civic church services of thanks and celebration.
In Stafford the historic Shire Hall was illuminated red, white and blue, while Staffordshire County Council is giving away commemorative mugs to the first 10 Staffordshire children it hears were born on May 6th, 2023. Families can still contact ema.roberts@staffordshire.gov.uk or complete and submit this form.