Thanking the teams behind our charities during Volunteers Week

Charity teams across East Sussex have been thanked during Volunteers Week for all their hard work and dedication – especially during the current crisis.
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Volunteers Week is an annual event that this year has taken place on June 1 to 7 2020. The event aims to pay tribute to all the hardworking volunteers who help to provide vital services in our communities.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice has been working through the Covid-19 crisis with many volunteers, some pooled from its volunteer cohort but some new ones, too.

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Rhiannon Wheeler, the voluntary services development manager, said: “Our volunteers have stepped up and carried out new and different roles during the crisis and we value all the help they have given us. We wouldn’t have been able to do what we do without them.

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“Some of our volunteers have had to step back for the time being, but we have kept in touch and we value the support they have offered us from home.”

The roles have included helping in the laundry, cleaning door handles and help with the garden and on eBay.

There are also volunteers working from home - telephone befrienders and bereavement support counsellors, part of the expanded bereavement service for anyone in the hospice catchment area, not only those bereaved through the hospice.

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Rhiannon said: “We have found that many of the young people who were already helping us have committed more of their time to us.

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“The Young Clinical Volunteers have taken on more responsibility and have been doing more on the Inpatient Unit at the hospice. It is hoped that more young people will want to help us over the coming months.”

St Wilfrid’s relies on its volunteers for so much of the work it does. There are many different volunteering roles, there is sure to be something you would like to do. While the regular training programme is currently suspended, the voluntary services department would love to here from you if you are interested in working with the hospice in the future. Go to www.stwhospice.org/how-to-volunteer-with-us.

St Michael’s Hospice has been thanking its volunteers for their contribution to the hospice and showcasing the benefits their volunteers have on the local community.

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The hospice has shared volunteer stories on its website and social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The posts highlight why volunteering at the hospice is so important. St Michael’s will also be holding a number of virtual coffee mornings for their volunteers, to give the hospice the opportunity to thank them for the amazing work they do.

Cathy, from Pett, explained what volunteering means to her.

She said: “Eight years ago I joined the team of flower arrangers at the hospice.

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“We re-purpose donated wreaths, bouquets and floral displays from funerals. I condition the flowers and foliage so they last longer, then create displays in vases and baskets. They mostly go in our reception area, and they really brighten it up for our visitors.

“The part I’ve enjoyed most has been the people I’ve worked with. All the staff are nice and helpful, and they really appreciate it when you put a fresh display out. They tell me they look lovely, which is very rewarding.

“I’d recommend volunteering at the Hospice, because even if you have a spare half a day maybe, you can definitely do something it’s very rewarding and satisfying.”

Volunteer recruitment at St Michael’s is currently on hold, but anyone interested van get the ball rolling at www.stmichaelshospice.com/support-us/volunteering or call the voluntary services team on 01424 445177.

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As the coronavirus crisis has affected all our lives, people have increasingly needed help from Citizens Advice Eastbourne and this week the charity has been thanking its volunteers.

The team quickly rallied to ensure as many people as possible could be helped over the phone or via email.

As part of Volunteers’ Week, Eastbourne Citizens Advice wants to thank volunteers for their contribution not only during this exceptional time, but throughout the year.

Fifty four volunteers at Eastbourne Citizens Advice contribute an estimated £314,864 worth of donated hours each week.

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Last year they helped over 3,200 people in Eastbourne with more than 11,000 different issues. Since the lockdown started, the five Citizens Advice offices across East Sussex have helped 3,070 people and have generated income for their clients of £3,719,911 and written off debts totalling £268,596.

Helping people with many different problems such as debt, housing, benefit and employment issues. Many directly related to the impact of the coronavirus.

Sky Seal, volunteer adviser at Eastbourne Citizens Advice, said: “I volunteer for Citizens Advice because I wanted to do something that helps everyone and not just a selected group of people. I enjoy working with our team as we are all friends and support each other.

“There is never a dull moment and it helps my mental health to work in the office with such wonderful people doing important work that helps many people in our community.”

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Alan Bruzon, chief officer at Eastbourne Citizens Advice, said: “Throughout the year our wonderful volunteers contribute their time and energy to make a huge difference to people’s lives and help keep our vital service running. Whether they have been able to continue in their role recently, or have paused their volunteering, their support throughout the year has been truly invaluable. I cannot thank them enough for their continued dedication. We really couldn’t do it without them.”

Local Parkinson’s UK volunteers have started a virtual choir. Before the coronavirus pandemic, almost 4,000 Parkinson’s UK volunteers ran and organised around 1,000 local activities across the UK and supported 26,000 group members. During lockdown, many volunteers have been able to quickly and safely adapt many activities virtually and reach out on the phone, helping the local community stay connected.

Stephen Hill, head of volunteering at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Our volunteers are at the centre of everything; shaping research, fighting for fair treatment and better services, and providing support when people need it most.

“Their ongoing contribution and commitment to people with Parkinson’s over this time has been invaluable and we’re looking forward, together, to continuing our vital work.”