Southwark celebrates Volunteers Week
Published 2 June 2010
As the nation celebrates Volunteers Week, Southwark Council today appealed to its staff to give up some of their time to work as a volunteer for one of many charitable organisations in the borough.
Today, (1 June), the local authority hosted a volunteering fair at its Tooley Street headquarters. The aim being for the council and its employees from neighbouring companies including Norton Rose and More London to encourage people to take part.
Volunteer Centre Southwark and 16 other local voluntary organisations arranged workshops and one to one talks with the council's employees to explain the benefit and the value of lending a hand.
Southwark has over 1,600 local voluntary groups which rely on unpaid helpers to deliver services to the community. Roles range from school governors and trustees to mentoring a young people.
Councillor Abdul Mohamed, cabinet member for equalities and community engagement at Southwark Council said: "Volunteers are vital to charitable organisations that are doing a tremendous job in helping the community. I have been a volunteer in the past and I believe it is essential that we encourage our staff to share their skills and ability with these organisations to help them achieve their goals.
"Those who volunteer can also learn new skills and take the opportunity to understand the true value of the voluntary sector."
Clive Pankhurst, chief executive of Volunteer Centre Southwark, said: "Volunteering is such an important thing as it supports our communities and changes people's lives.
"It has been great for Southwark Council to support the fair today. Whether Councillor Mohamed decides to volunteer with Enhance the UK to take people bungee jumping remains to be seen!"
