It’s Volunteers’ Week 2016! Over 21 million people volunteer in the UK at least once a year and this contributes an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy. Behind these big numbers is a big contribution.
The theme of Volunteers’ Week 2016 is “The Big Celebration”, so each day Community Action Suffolk is celebrating some of Suffolk’s amazing volunteers and the organisations they support.
Staff from Ipswich’s AXA offices have spent a day painting and decorating a local house, to make it ready for a vulnerable family to move in, supported by Anglia Care Trust (ACT).
ACT supports vulnerable people within the community, specialising in preventative, community based services, giving people the stability, support and challenge which is often required in order to enable them to realise their full potential. Lisa Miles, Volunteer Development Manager at ACT, said:
“For some people, a lick of paint can mean a fresh start, for this family in crisis, it’s symbolic of their new start in life, and the opportunities that this offers. We would really like to thank the team of eight AXA staff, their help really has made a huge difference to the family and the local community.”
AXA approached Community Action Suffolk (CAS), as a number of their staff wanted to make a difference to their community. Jo Belfield, Volunteering Officer at CAS then connected AXA with ACT, something which CAS can do for any Suffolk business and voluntary organisation.
ACT currently has about 90 volunteers across Suffolk and north east Essex and is really grateful for their work, it is proven to be invaluable in helping to change people’s lives.
ACT has a range of volunteering opportunities within ACT which are designed to help families who are experiencing unemployment, debt, risk of eviction, low educational attainment or a lack of boundaries; children and young people who are lacking the guidance, support and time offered to them by a trusted adult; adults who have few people to call upon to help, as a result many may have made ‘poor’ choices and are now seeking a second chance in life.
If you are interested in volunteering with ACT, call Lisa Miles, Volunteer Development Manager on 01473 622888, visit www.angliacaretrust.org.uk or find ACT on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or LinkedIn.
Are you inspired to volunteer? Maybe you’re looking for more volunteers? Find out how CAS can help by exploring the “Volunteering and social action” section of this website (see the menu at the top of the page).
You can contact the CAS Volunteering Team on 01473 345400 or [email protected].uk