Local MP Stephen Metcalfe
is taking advantage of Volunteers Week to thank volunteers in South Basildon
and East Thurrock for their dedication to the community.
Volunteers Week, which
runs from 1-7 June 2014, is a chance to recognise the invaluable contribution
that millions of volunteers make to charities and other organisations up and
down country. Hundreds of events will be taking place as charities, schools,
hospitals and others use Volunteers’ Week as a time to thank their volunteers.
In South Basildon and East
Thurrock alone there are around 129 voluntary organisations many of which rely
on the dedication, energy, and commitment of volunteers of all ages and from
all walks of life.
Mr Metcalfe commented:
“Nationally, The Office for National Statistics calculate the value of
volunteering in the UK at £23.9bn. This is an incredible figure but the real
value lies in the lives and communities that have been changed for the better
because of the efforts of volunteers.”
“I have had the privilege
of visiting many tremendous projects and charities that would simply not exist
were it not for volunteers. would like to thank each and every volunteer in
South Basildon and East Thurrock for their work and would encourage anyone interested
in volunteering to take the plunge and find out more!”
Justin Davis Smith,
director of volunteering at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations
added: “Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity for us to recognise and
celebrate volunteers and the incredible contribution they make to our
communities. Volunteers are an integral part of our society, and without their
dedication, energy and commitment, many of the services we take for granted
would simply grind to a halt.”
“But the magic of volunteering
is that it is a two-way relationship. So alongside the contribution to our
local communities, volunteers also benefit tremendously from the experience –
learning new skills, boosting their wellbeing, or simply meeting new people and
having fun.”
To find out about events
taking place locally please visit: http://volunteersweek.org/events or
contact your local volunteering centre here: http://www.volunteering.org.uk/where-do-i-start
