New centre creates hub to link volunteers with organisations
IF you’ve ever fancied volunteering in the community, a new centre in Bridgend could help find the placement that’s right for you.
Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations ( BAVO) hopes its new volunteer centre on Queen Street will encourage more people to give their time and help local groups recruit volunteers.
“Whatever your motivation, whatever your interests, why not pop in and have a cuppa and a chat,” said BAVO chief executive Heidi Bennett. “There is no obligation to sign up to anything, you will just receive lots of information on options for you to take away and think about.”
The new centre offers up-to-date information, advice and guidance to people who are looking for volunteering opportunities and to voluntary organisations or com- munity groups looking to recruit volunteers.
Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones, who officially opened the town centre hub on Friday, said: “Having this information hub on volunteering in Bridgend town centre will certainly encourage more people to pop in and look at the wide range of opportunities available.
“Volunteering can be hugely rewarding and any spare time that people give is hugely appreciated.”
The launch was also attended by Ogmore MP Chris Elmore, Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgend Reg Jenkins and Teresa Jenkins, Paul Dear, head of the Third Sector Unit at Welsh Government, councillors and representatives from community organisations.
Mr Elmore said: “It’s great to see BAVO going from strength to strength. Volunteer services like this are fundamentally important to delivering services in the borough.”
Entertainment was provided by Sam Finch and Lucy Rathkey, from Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School and Bridgend Youth Orchestra, who played the flute, saxophone and piano.
Heidi added: “We hope the centre will attract a whole range of new volunteers and provide a space for targeted volunteer drives and awareness campaigns for our local community groups.
“Whether it be to build job skills or giving something back to the community, the volunteer centre staff are experts in linking people up.”
The centre is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.