Volunteering is an excellent way to get out and about, meet new people, keep active, learn new skills and discover new places.
Volunteers’ Week runs until Sunday 12 June - and the county council says there's a variety of ways in which people can get involved.
Volunteers play a really important role in creating friendly communities where people support each other and it’s good to celebrate the achievements they continue to make
Person:Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for communities
Councillor Ernie White, the county council's cabinet member for health, said: "It's about helping others, but there's also evidence that volunteering can ward off loneliness and depression and lead to better physical health, including lower blood pressure and longer lifespan.”
Here’s some of the current opportunities available with the county council:
- Assisting visitors to experience a taste of the 1620s at the newly-refurbished Donington-le-Heath Manor House;
- Be a ‘meet and greet’ volunteer at work clubs held in the county’s main libraries;
- Driving older people to the shops and to visit family and friends;
- Voluntary placements to help young people into work through our ‘Get Set’ scheme;
There are also opportunities to be a mentor with the youth offending service, support adult learners, become a conservation volunteer or help at a local community project.
Training and support is available and, to find out more, visit: leicestershire.gov.uk/volunteering or call 0116 305 8098.
The county council has also developed a Facebook page. Visit: facebook.com/LeicestershireVolunteering
More information about Volunteers’ Week is available at: volunteering.org.uk or on Twitter at #volunteersweek
Voluntary Action Leicestershire is also promoting a series of events across the county.
Further details at Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL) or call 0116 257 5050 or email helpline@valonline.org.uk