Warwickshire News Mine

Did you know that over 7,000 local people generously volunteer their time in roles with Warwickshire County Council? And that many of the council’s employees give up their spare time to volunteer in the community?

Cllr Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Support Portfolio for Workforce & Governance, said: “We welcome the contribution that volunteers make across Warwickshire and to Warwickshire County Council’s services. Volunteering is good for community cohesion and provides another way in which we can engage with different communities around the county.”

Volunteers Week is an annual event which celebrates the contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. In Warwickshire, there are many opportunities for people who want to contribute something to their local community, whatever their interests are - perhaps the environment, working with young people or even local history.

Anne Langley is one of 26 volunteers working at Warwickshire County Council’s County Record Office in Warwick. Anne started volunteering when she retired seven years ago, building on her new enthusiasm for local history.

“It seems to me to be a win-win situation,” says Anne. “I enjoy doing something worthwhile, and the Record Office gets help with tasks that enrich their service, but which they don’t have sufficient time or people to do.” Read Anne’s story below.

In other areas of the council’s work, there are examples of how volunteering can not only be rewarding, but also completely change a person’s views on life.

Clair Clarke, whose full-time job is as a Police Constable, is a volunteer for Warwickshire County Council’s Positive About Young People (PAYP) team. Clair volunteers as part of the Youth at Risk programme, coaching young people.

“Being part of the Youth At Risk programme has been an honour and a privilege,” says Clair.  “I struggle to put into words how it has changed and enriched my life. This programme and the role that I do now working with young people has totally changed my views and the way I think about young people.” Read Clair’s story below.

Other council roles in which volunteers make a valuable contribution every week include Warwickshire Children and Voluntary Youth Services, Warwickshire Youth Justice Service, Warwickshire Employment Support Team, Country Parks and numerous roles at residential homes for older people such as gardeners and activity support workers.

And many of the county council’s employees give up their spare time to volunteer in all sorts of community roles, from Scout and Guide Leaders to hospital radio DJs and sports coaches for young people.

For example, Phil Triggs, Manager of Treasury & Pensions, is a Special Sergeant with Thames Valley Police; Rob Phillips, a corporate accountant, volunteers at Radio Warneford, the hospital radio for Warwick Hospital; Dawn Clutton who works in the council’s Pension Services is an Assistant Girl Guider in Lillington; and Alison Insley, who works for Warwickshire Library & Information Service, volunteers as a squash coach for children every Saturday morning.

If you fancy volunteering this summer and are aged 14 to 17, Warwickshire Libraries are on the look out for a team of young volunteers to act as reading buddies to children aged 4 to12 years who are taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge.

The idea of the challenge is for children to read a total of six books over the holiday for fun, and get rewards for taking part. Volunteers will be offered training in ‘reading buddy’ activities and will be asked to commit to 10 to 15 hours volunteer activity over the summer holiday in their local library.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with Warwickshire County Council and in numerous other roles across the county. Contact your local Volunteer Centre to find out more – visit the Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (WCAVA) website (http://www.wcava.org.uk) to find your nearest centre or email volunteering@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Link to WCC