Volunteer this New Year
Planting bulbs, baking bread and even dancing the macarena, there are many different ways residents can make a difference in their community through volunteering this new year.
Volunteer Centre Hackney (VCH) is the borough’s hub for volunteering, working with over 400 Hackney based charities and community groups. VCH is supported by Hackney Council to help residents find volunteering roles in the borough, and is hosting a ‘New Year, New You’ volunteers fair at Dalston CLR James Library on 30 January between 12-2pm.
The event will be a drop in to find out more about opportunities in the borough as well as a chance to meet local organisations and find out about the amazing work they do for Hackney.
The groups in attendance at the event include Mini Mermaids a running club aimed at improving girls confidence, Hackney Pirates which helps develop literacy for young people and Hackney Brocals, a befriending service for older men, plus many more.
Brocals volunteer Bulend, 47 from Hackney said: "Volunteering for Brocals has been really rewarding. I've trained to become a minibus passenger assistant, have gone on several trips, helped host a bake sale and, of course, built up a fantastic friendship with an older "bro" called John, who I see once a week. Volunteering is a great way to get more involved with your local community - I feel more connected and it's definitely helped to improve my mood. I recommend it to everyone!"
Community action is key to responding to some of the biggest challenges facing our communities by helping individuals and places to thrive. Volunteering builds communities and contributes to maintaining the high levels of community cohesion we enjoy in Hackney. It also supports residents to develop new skills and knowledge which can be an important step to accessing employment. I hope everyone can get involved with volunteering in some way this year.
To find a role, visit: www.vchackney.org; call: 020 7241 4443; like Volunteer Centre Hackney on Facebook; follow on Twitter @VCHackney.