A thank you to the teams behind our charities in Volunteers’ Week
The work of our army of volunteers in West Sussex is recognised more now than ever during the pandemic
Volunteers have gone above and beyond to help others in these challenging times CLLR EILEEN LINTILL Chichester District Council
Charity teams across West Sussex have been thanked this week in Volunteers’ Week for all their hard work and dedication – especially during the current crisis.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual event that this year has taken place on June 1 to 7. The event aims to pay tribute to all the hardworking volunteers who help to provide vital services in our communities.
Chichester District Council has been asking residents to help shine a light on volunteers across the district.
The council has asked residents to get in touch through its social media channels, to let it know about a volunteer, or a group of volunteers, who are making a real difference in their community.
Councillor Eileen Lintill, leader of Chichester District Council, said: “There are so many wonderful volunteers in our district who have gone above and beyond to help others in these challenging times, and we want to shine a spotlight on them to give them the thanks they deserve.”
St Wilfrid’s Hospice is one of many charities celebrating National Volunteers’ Week this week, albeit in a different way this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alison Moorey, chief executive for St Wilfrid’s Hospice, said, “I am delighted to formally thank all our wonderful volunteers for the support they continue to give to the vital work of St Wilfrid’s Hospice.
“The flood of messages they have sent reminds us how deeply cherished the relationship to the hospice is
to so many.
“This National Volunteers’ Week we give thanks that we have so many volunteers dedicated to supporting our patient and family services, community fundraising, educational programmes, and when the time comes to re-open, the customers and donors who gain so much from a visit to one of our shops.”
Last year the weekly contribution from volunteers increased to 1,572 hours.
In recent weeks, time at home has given many
volunteers the opportunity to utilise their sewing skills to help nursing staff with scrub bags, make wonderful homemade crafts for retail, as well as many counting puzzle pieces ready for when their 12 shops re-open.
Its team of trained volunteer visitors continue to support the family services team by offering support to patients and bereaved relatives by phone.
At the hospice, following relevant safety guidance, meet and greet volunteers crew health screening stations
at reception, gardeners are keeping the grounds looking beautiful, drivers support the ward with hospital collections and volunteers on the ward continue to comfort patients and care staff alike in these unprecedented times.
Spencer, a ward volunteer, said, “I help patient families to understand the care the hospice provides. I think the role that makes me smile the most when I get home is making sure every patient and family member feels welcome and well supported; making them smile and ensuring they feel at home.
“I started at the hospice when I was 16.
“Experiencing the nurses’ compassion first hand caring for my Dad inspired me to apply to be on the ward, and I know I want to be a nurse when I’m older.
“Being part of that care gives me the most rewarding feeling and it’s helping me build a better future for myself.”
Citizens Advice in West Sussex has continued giving advice to those in need throughout the coronavirus
pandemic thanks to the tireless dedication of its staff and volunteers. The charity covers a large area of the county including Horsham, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Adur and Worthing, and new volunteers are being sought to join the team in a variety of roles.
At the start of lockdown, the team quickly rallied to ensure as many people as possible could be helped over the phone or webchat. Almost 100 volunteers are currently working from home alongside 49 staff; volunteers are contributing nearly 730 hours each week on average.
Emma Cross, chief executive officer at Citizens Advice in West Sussex, said: “Throughout the year our wonderful volunteers contribute their time and energy to make a huge difference to people’s lives and help keep our vital service running.
“Whether they have been able to continue in their role recently, or have paused their volunteering, their support throughout the year has been truly invaluable. I cannot thank them enough for their continued dedication. We really couldn’t do it without them.
“We’re encouraging new volunteers to apply and join us at a time when our service is so needed by the community.”
Find out more and apply at www.advicewestsussex.org. uk.
Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) also want to say thank you to all its volunteers who give their time to support our local communities.
Jenny Holmes, VAAC senior admin and communications officer, said: “During all the worry, uncertainty and upheaval of the last few weeks, while the Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down, one spark of positivity has been the massive community response and in particular, the amount of people that have volunteered to help out.
Gillian Keegan MP for Chichester has paid tribute to the hardworking volunteers in the area.
She said: ”I want to thank all the incredible volunteers right across the Chichester District who have gone above and beyond for their communities during the Covid-19 outbreak. We are very lucky to have such a strong giving ethos locally.
“This virus has been hugely impactful on all of our lives and not since the war have people come together, on this scale, to pull in one direction.
“There are wonderful examples all over the place. From the coast in Selsey, where their community centre has coordinated things from VE day celebratory packs, to picking up medical prescriptions – all under the careful eye of Jo Hughes. S
“imilarly in Chichester, three small business owners came together to create a free community directory of local food producers and distributors called ‘Chichester At Home’ so people can get food without leaving their front door.” To mark Volunteers’ Week, VAAC is asking children or young people under 18 in Arun and Chichester to design a sign to display in their windows saying ‘thank you volunteers’.
Youngsters are asked todisplay their works or art in their windows and email sharon.westcott@vaac.org.uk to find out more and get an entry form.
Competition entries must be received by 9am on June 15.
I cannot thank them enough for their continued dedication EMMA CROSS Chief executive at West Sussex CAB