Thank you, volunteers!
Friday, 10 June 2022
It was cream teas all round for the volunteers of Central Bedfordshire at a celebration event held at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick on Tuesday 7 June.
The event was held to recognise and thank the many volunteers throughout Central Bedfordshire that help to provide the backbone to the community and the excellent support they provide, often to some of its most vulnerable residents.
The annual Cheering Volunteering event, which we host and organise in partnership with CVS (Community Voluntary Service) and Beds RCC (Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity), is held as part of the national Volunteers’ Week campaign and sponsored jointly by Grand Union Housing Group, FCC Environment and Prologis. Attendees were greeted by local dignitaries and ward councillors, including the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford, Deputy Lieutenant Simon Sadler and the Deputy Mayors of Flitwick and Ampthill, Clare Thompson and Susan Clinch.
Around 150 volunteers enjoyed an afternoon cream tea, and holistic treats including hand massages, chair exercises, relaxation and breathing sessions offered by the MIND charity with each of them taking away a ‘goodie bag’.
Councillor Tracey Stock, our Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities said in a speech during the event:
In all aspects of our lives, health, education, sport, the environment, faith and culture, the voluntary effort of so many people, make things possible that would not happen otherwise.
Volunteer effort and contributions were exemplified and exceptional during the pandemic. Over 40 new community-based groups helped residents in their local communities, collecting prescriptions, shopping or just checking in to make sure our older and more vulnerable residents were ok.
She added:
In addition to the new groups, we also received over 500 offers of help from local residents keen and willing to support their communities and we made over 3,000 referrals to our Good Neighbour Groups so that the clinically extremely vulnerable were supported.
Over 200 local volunteers ‘Community Champions’ came forward to help us share important public health messages amongst family and friends and on social networks. I know both I and all of the councillors and officers of the council are immensely grateful for the vital role the voluntary sector and volunteers played in supporting and protecting our communities.
During the afternoon’s proceedings, the following organisations were informed of their successful applications for Inspiring Volunteering Grants: Clophill Village Hall, Share: Flitwick & Ampthill, For Men to Talk, Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire, Leighton Linslade Citizens Advice, Central Bedfordshire Youth Voice and Let's Get Going, Sandy.