Volunteers ‘are a credit to the community’

MSP Tom Arthur has praised the hundreds of Renfrewshire South residents who have signed up to volunteering schemes during the pandemic.

While not all volunteers have been called upon, many have started to deliver food parcels, ensure essential supplies and medicines reach vulnerable people and phone those who need assistance or companionship.

Scotland Cares links British Red Cross and Volunteer Scotland schemes to local authority and third sector activity in communities, creating a pool of volunteers for local organisations to draw upon and deploy as required.

Volunteers are matched with local needs in a range of organisational settings, when those needs arise.

Since March 30, 840 people in Renfrewshire have signed up for British Red Cross while 1162 have signed up for Volunteer Scotland.

It is up to the requesting organisation to decide how and when volunteers are deployed.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur said: “The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and many in our communities have depended on the help offered by others.

“The hundreds of people in Renfrewshire South who have volunteered to help are a real credit to their community and I want to thank each and every person who has signed up.

“Not all volunteers have been needed so far, but volunteers will play a critical role in supporting and rebuilding our communities – and many will be asked to help in the weeks and months to come.”