THE CONTRIBUTION of volunteers in Stratford is being recognised as part of National Volunteers Week.
Volunteers across the district are being celebrated for supporting residents through meet-up groups and neighbour networks, parish and town councils and local charities.
Last year support groups were established quickly in response to the pandemic, with wide ranging help including shopping, prescriptions delivery, dog walking, telephone support services, to provide a lifeline to residents across the district.
Councillor Jo Barker, wellbeing spokesperson for Stratford District Council, volunteers for Shipston Foodbank. She said: “Volunteers are an invaluable asset across our communities providing their time freely to assist the needs of others, helping to build resilience. Each contribution has such a positive impact across the local community and it is important to acknowledge and celebrate this.”
The district council provides a staff volunteer scheme – Marie Darwen, older peoples officer and Carol Roberts, social inclusion officer, both volunteer for local charities.
Marie is a trustee for Warwickshire Reminiscence Action Project – supporting people looking after a loved ones living with dementia while Carol is chair of trustees for Springfield Mind – promoting wellbeing and preventing mental health problems in Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
From January 2019 to last May, six members of staff at the district council volunteered a total of 288 hours.
Each year, Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (WCAVA) celebrates the achievements of volunteers across South Warwickshire. This year they will be holding a ‘virtual celebration of volunteering during the pandemic’ on July 13 and is seeking nominations from organisations and the community, for outstanding individual volunteer achievements both individual and as a team.
Visit www.wcava.org.uk to make a nomination by Monday June 7.
