Ealing's Finest Recognised For Their Voluntary Work

Extraordinary numbers of volunteers celebrated in Volunteers' Week

Did you know that in 2007 73 per cent of all adults in England and Wales volunteered? This staggering figure is one of many surprising facts about volunteering in the UK that were highlighted during Volunteers’ Week, the UK’s biggest annual celebration of volunteering. Thousands of events to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers were laid on across the UK, including an ‘extravaganza’ of events in Ealing.

Lizzie Saunders, Manager of Ealing Volunteer Centre, which provides a free advice service to  Ealing residents who are interested in volunteering, said: ”People are often surprised to hear about the huge range of voluntary roles there are to choose from. You can do everything from admin and IT work, to bird ringing and haymaking, mentoring young people recovering from drug addictions, restoring steam locomotives, playing with toddlers with disabilities, helping at local carnivals (Hanwell Carnival on 21st June is looking for help on the day!), making props for a theatre company, serving meals to homeless people, leading a knitting group, visiting over 80s who are housebound, or helping with your local Guides or Brownies group. There’s something for everyone – anyone living in Ealing who wants to find out more should call us on our freephone number 0800 652 3183 to make a free one-to-one appointment with a volunteering advisor. Volunteering for just two or three hours a week can make an enormous difference to the lives of others – and to the volunteer!”

This year Ealing Volunteer Centre had a bumper extravaganza of events including a balloon race, an exhibition at Ealing Hospital, the launch of the v Involved Youth Volunteering Programme for West London, by special invitation at the glassy Headquarters of Glaxo Smith Kline and last but not least an awards ceremony where the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Ian Green, presented guests with 100 hours of volunteering achievement certificates, special commendations for long-service volunteers and recognition awards for people who manage volunteers.

Co-ordinated in England by Volunteering England, the Volunteers’ Week message is that whoever you are, whatever you're good at and whatever you'd like to try - there's a time-giving activity that will appeal. 

June 13, 2008