News MBC encouraging everyone to get involved with Volunteers’ Week
National Volunteers’ Week takes place between 1-7 June every year and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is encouraging everyone to get involved.
The seven-day event is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. The theme of Volunteers’ Week 2023 is ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ and aims to highlight that our diversity is our strength, showing that there’s more than one way to volunteer.
Cllr Lottie Parfitt Reid, MBC Lead Member for Communities and Public Engagement said:
Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity for us to celebrate and recognise the fantastic contribution our volunteers make.They play such an important role and are at the heart of our communities across Maidstone. Volunteering can be so rewarding for all of us in so many different ways. It makes you feel that you are giving something to your community, a sense of wellbeing and provide great experience for the future. I would encourage everyone to get involved, support their community to celebrate and inspire this Volunteers’ Week.
MBC staff contribute to volunteering and support projects across the borough of Maidstone including the Shepway Community Larder which is run by the Council’s Housing and Inclusion Team. It was set-up last year to help address food poverty and support local residents. The Council is due to open a second Community Larder next month in Park Wood, which, like the one in Shepway, will rely on volunteers to help keep it well-stocked and customers well-served.
Every one of the volunteers make an enormous difference. The MBC team is always looking for people to help and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer for a few hours a week to please contact: communitylarder@maidstone.gov.uk
According to the Value of Giving 2022 Report volunteers are more optimistic about the future, with 45% reporting this emotion compared to 28% of those who don’t volunteer. Seven-in-ten (71%) volunteers say they feel useful, compared to two-thirds (66%) of non-volunteers.
To find out more about volunteering in Kent, visit: www.kentvolunteers.org.uk