This week is National Volunteer Week and Swindon Borough Council will be marking it by hosting a special event in the town centre – and everybody is invited.
Tomorrow, Wednesday (5th June), members of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Team will be celebrating the wonderful work that volunteers do, and people in Swindon are encouraged to come along and take part.
The national week of recognition, led by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), is an annual event which recognises the positive contributions that millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Swindon Borough Council runs a number of volunteering schemes and has the regular support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers.
Their work involves supporting people who are lonely and isolated and can include anything from running them to the supermarket to popping in for a cuppa and a chat to provide some much needed company. Other volunteers support libraries to deliver the Summer Reading Project, support the maintenance of parks and gardens, contribute to homelessness projects and act as appropriate adults for young people who are interviewed by the police.
On Wednesday, the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Team will be at the Brunel Centre hosting a day of volunteer-related activities. People will be able to take part in a Q&A with volunteers as well as a special knitting session and cake decorating tutorial.
Students from New College will also be attending the event and staff from Lush will be offering hand massages to those who appreciate a bit of relaxation. In contrast, those who are feeling energetic can take part in seated-Zumba in the afternoon. There will also be a spot of singing with the Council’s choir adding a touch of razzmatazz.
Joy Bells, Swindon Borough Council’s Volunteer Coordinator with the Health and Wellbeing Team, said: “Our volunteers are extremely dedicated people and we couldn’t manage without them. National Volunteer Week is a brilliant way of raising the profile of volunteers and for thanking them for all the wonderful work they do.
“Anybody can be a volunteer. People can be as flexible with their time as they need to be and it’s a hugely rewarding experience.”
The pop-up shop will be open on Wednesday, 5 June 2019 from 10am until 4pm. It will be located at 15 The Arcade, next to Buzz Gym on the ground floor.
The Council is always on the lookout for more volunteers. If you would like to find out more, contact the Livewell hub on 01793 465513 or email [email protected].
