Last Thursday marked the start of Volunteers’ Week, an opportunity to recognise the vital contribution volunteers make to our local communities, to thank volunteers for all their hard work and to inspire others to take up volunteering roles.
To mark the week I have been posting about a local organisation every day on my Facebook to shine a spotlight on the work just some of our many volunteers do and some of the current volunteering roles looking for more takers! The organisations I have posted about include; the Olive Tree Cancer Support Group; Billingshurst Community Transport; Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove; Horsham Matters; Friends of Horsham Park; Horsham Debt Advice Service and St Catherine’s Hospice.
They are just a small selection of the amazing organisations that rely on volunteers and need more to join their ranks!
There are many different ways one can volunteer locally, from getting involved with local Scout groups, to becoming a Community First Responder or volunteering with a Community Speedwatch Group. Horsham District Council have a fantastic website matching potential volunteers with vacancies; https://www.volunteerhorshamdistrict.co.uk/volunteering?fbclid=IwAR2274Q5a6hBLqfDWWHpBxEbaHBSZTbO3HwVS0x9o3yVOOHm9E4Cx5EKpgM
Indeed, over the weekend I attended the Shipley Soapbox Derby which simply could not have gone ahead without volunteers. From those who organised the event, to those who volunteered their time on the day. It was a fantastic day and with brilliant (and brave!) competitors.
On Sunday, the Horsham and Crawley Samaritans marked their 50th Anniversary with a tea party bringing together volunteers past and present to celebrate the occasion. It is a remarkable achievement and the service the Samaritans provides relies completely on volunteers. Congratulations to Horsham and Crawley Samaritans and I wish them the very best for their next fifty years!
I would personally like to thank all those across the Horsham constituency who volunteer in whatever capacity. Without volunteers our communities would not be the same and their selfless dedication to help others or to help the environment around them is incredibly valued.
I very much hope that Volunteer’s Week has inspired those who may have been thinking about volunteering or are interested in volunteering to take up a role.