Save date for volunteer fair

AS restrictions ease and life begins to return to some sort of normality, charities are also getting back to normal.

Local charities need your help now. Whether it is Conservation groups, volunteer reading mentors going into schools, support buddies for children with extra needs, befrienders for the elderly and charity shops volunteers.

They are looking for more volunteers to support the amazing work they do locally.

Helena Badger, Volunteer Services Manager at the Wokingham Volunteer Centre says, “The pandemic really saw people pull together.

“We really want people to keep the feeling of community going and continue to help people in need.

“It really does change people’s lives; both those who volunteer and those who are helped by volunteers.

“Volunteering can help you gain new skills, meet new people, test the water for a career change, allow you to

give something back and help a cause you really believe in.

“Whether you have just an hour once a month or much more time to give, there really is something for everyone.”

The Wokingham Volunteer Centre is holding a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Saturday 25th September from 11am-2pm at Wokingham Town Hall.

The event is free to the general public and there is no need to book, so please just turn up and come and discover what volunteering can do for you.

We will have the necessary safety precautions in place with one entry and one exit point, sanitisation points and social distancing.

The organisations attending include: The Link Visiting Scheme (which provides befrienders for elderly people who have become isolated), the Me2 Club (which supports children and young people with extra needs to access mainstream activities), Wokingham Transport

Scheme (which enables elderly people to get to essential medical appointments), Thames Hospice Charity shop (raises essential funds for Thames Hospice), The Wokingham Transport Scheme (which providers volunteers for transport for medical appointments), Guide Dogs (which provide trained dogs to support those who are blind or have sight issues), Citizens Advice (which supports anyone who needs advice, support and guidance), and ABC to Read (which provides trained volunteers to local schools to read with primary school children.

Other organisations attending include those that support children, young people, families, the elderly, people with disabilities and other groups.

If you would like to find out more about the event or discuss volunteering in general, please get in touch. www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org. uk , call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk