Tag: Volunteers’ Week

NHS Lothian thanks big-hearted volunteers

NHS Lothian has paid tribute to the hundreds of volunteers and those who stepped forward to help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Volunteer Week kicked off NHS Lothian took the opportunity to thank people from all walks of life who offered help in many different ways when it was feared that the NHS may be overwhelmed by the virus.

The response from hundreds of people keen to help in the early days of the pandemic was overwhelming and around 620 new volunteers bolstered the ranks of the existing community of 494 volunteers.

They went on to become ward helpers, take up a role in shopping and distribution of donations or laundry, or become meet and greet/stop and gel volunteers in sites all across Lothian, dressed in their purple T-shirts.

Fiona Ireland, Deputy Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said: “It has been quite heartening to see the response from the public, and to welcome so many new faces to our volunteer network.

“Volunteers really do provide so much across our sites – whether it’s helping patients to video call loved ones, transporting personal laundry to pick up points , fulfilling patients’ shopping requests or assisting with meal times – the friendly faces of our volunteers are having such a huge impact on both our patients and staff.

“It seems fitting, that during Volunteers Week, we take a moment to recognise and celebrate the contribution that every single volunteer is making every single day. Thank you for your continued support.

“The pandemic has seen our volunteering numbers swell, there are positive benefits of volunteering, not only for the recipients but for the volunteers as well – it would be a positive legacy of this situation if we were able to sustain this level of volunteering .”

John Naismith, 59, from Edinburgh, began volunteering as a ward helper when the country moved into lockdown. John, a keen fiddle player, often plays to entertain the patients in the ward where he was posted as a helper in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The engineer and his wife Serena, 59, were both keen to show their support and Serena, a dyslexia specialist teacher, took up a post providing patients with a shopping service in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

John said: “We both felt really strongly that we needed to do something to help and show our support. We thought that the NHS was going to be overrun and thankfully that has turned out not to be the case.

“It has been really rewarding for both of us and we have felt as though we have made a difference.”

Dan Williams, 17, from Edinburgh, was volunteering at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a ward helper before the pandemic and continued to help as the virus continued to grow.

The secondary school pupil, who hopes to study medicine, took on an additional commitment as a meet and greet/stop and gel volunteer and has clocked up 100 hours in this role alone so far.

Dan said: “I have been volunteering since before the COVID-19 pandemic began and thoroughly enjoy it. Since school closed, volunteering has helped to provide a sense of direction, the opportunity to see and interact with different people and some structure to my week.

“I’m hoping to study medicine at University, so it is great to spend time in a busy hospital, getting a flavour of what the job might be like.”

Volunteering in NHS Lothian is supported by Edinburgh and Lothian Health Foundation, the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and the Pears Foundation.

Scran thanks ‘sensational’ volunteers

Scran Academy passed a major milestone during Volunteers Week as they passed the 50,000 meals delivered mark – and it’s likely that the local organisation will pass another milestone today when they reach their fundraising target!

When the coronavirus struck in March, Scran – three part time staff members under the leadership of former Big Brother winner John Loughton – quickly reorganised and transformed itself into a highly-organised and efficient production line getting thousands of free, healthy / nutritious, home-made, ready meals (heat at home), safely distributed to the most vulnerable people of Edinburgh during the coronavirus lockdown.

They have achieved this through their Scran Meals Programme, a community meals scheme, initially targeted at people living in North Edinburgh but now citywide. The service is delivered through a Scran Meals Coalition of partners:  Scran Academy, Prep Table Scotland, Pilton Equalities Project, Fet Lor Youth Club, Out of the Blue Leith, The Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College.

Their main source of incoming is through a crowdfunding campaign:

(https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/scranmeals)

and this Sunday morning are now just £51 short of their target of £40,000!

At the end of #VolunteerWeek 2020, Scran said a huge thank you to their team of volunteers who have helped deliver over 52,000 meals, through over 11,400 drop offs to over 1,500 people.

In a statement on their Facebook page, Scran said: ‘All 153 of you are HEROES, especially the 1 in 5 of you that are young people. You have given Edinburgh over 10,000 hours of your time in the last ten weeks. Sensational!’

Lord Provost thanks Edinburgh’s volunteers

This Volunteers Week, Lord Provost Frank Ross pays tribute to those who have volunteered to support vulnerable residents during the pandemic:

During national Volunteers’ Week, I would like to pay tribute to the thousands of people who have volunteered to support vulnerable residents across the Capital during the coronavirus pandemic.

Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1-7, gives organisations across the country an opportunity to thank their dedicated volunteers for the huge contribution they make.

Normally, I have the  honour of hosting Edinburgh’s Annual Inspiring Volunteer Awards to celebrate the huge range of organisations and individuals who give their time freely to work with the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

However due to the current restrictions this is not possible so it has never been more important than now to use the platform Volunteers’ Week gives us to celebrate the efforts of the capital’s volunteers.

From those supporting their neighbours and friends to those giving hours of their time helping strangers through volunteering with organisations.

Over the last few months I’ve heard of the great work being delivered by Helping Hands (@EdiHelpingHands) all done by volunteers in their community, funded by their community, working with the community through their People’s Free Food Program.

I have also been directly involved with Corstorphine Community Centre (@CorstorphineCo1)  which has been working with local restaurants the Torfin, Jill’s Deli and Abida to deliver free meals to those most in need in the community.

Edinburgh has always had a thriving voluntary and community sector with thousands of volunteers helping people throughout the city giving their valuable skills and time to worthy causes every year.

In my role as Volunteer Champion I have the privilege of meeting many who go out of their way to help others and I’ve been further humbled over these past few months when the city has come together in our response to the pandemic. Every single person giving their time, skills and commitment to help others is a vital part of Edinburgh’s response and a symbol of how we’ll move forward.

It will not be forgotten and as we get ready to launch our annual Edinburgh Award scheme – work is underway to look at how we can honour those who have gone above and beyond this year during the pandemic and I look forward to sharing more details on this in the near future.

The world has been changed forever, but what has not is that we will always help one another. This week is dedicated to you. And on behalf of the people of Edinburgh – I thank you.  

First Minister thanks pandemic volunteers

Celebration of community helpers

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recorded a video message thanking the tens of thousands of volunteers who have helped Scotland’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The clip – filmed as part of this year’s Volunteers Week – celebrates those who continued to carry out voluntary work in the initial stages of the pandemic and more than 60,000 people who signed up to the Scotland Cares campaign.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1268467530915631108

Just one of the many thousands of volunteers is grandfather Neil Aitkenhead, 62, a delivery driver with Start Up Stirling, which helps people who need basic essentials.

Neil said: “My experience has been so enriching. People from all backgrounds volunteer; some who have been having a hard time in their personal life, others who have been laid off and many people like me who are retired and just love the companionship.

“The best part about being a delivery driver is that you’re encountering the people who really need your help and the people receiving the food deliveries are always delighted to see you. It is really eye opening to see the variety of people who rely on foodbanks. There are people from all parts of society who need our help.

“I think the volume of people volunteering in Scotland is just what you’d expect from Scots. It’s no surprise that in times of crisis people really do come together.

“I would encourage anyone to start volunteering. It’s really satisfying and great for your mental health.”

Adding her thanks, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Over the last few months, volunteers have been organising shopping, delivering food packages, dropping off medicines and helping support lonely neighbours with phone calls.

“On top of the thousands already giving their time and skill before the pandemic began, an extra 63,000 signed up through our Scotland Cares project.

“Like Neil, these volunteers are making a massive contribution. As we begin to ease some of the restrictions in place because of the virus, our volunteers will be at the heart of helping to build our communities back up again.”

Neil’s Story:

Neil Aitkenhead, 62, lives in Thornhill, Stirlingshire, and started volunteering on 20 March with Start Up Stirling,  which helps people experiencing hardship.

Neil said: “I’m now living on my own since my wife, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, has moved into full-time care and is in hospital.

“After I was no longer her sole carer I felt like I had got my life back in some shape or form and  I wanted to give back to the community. My neighbour actually let me know that Start Up Stirling urgently needed more drivers.

“I volunteer at two sessions a week. I first started out as a driver but, when lockdown began, a few of us started shadowing the team leader, in case anything happened to him during the pandemic. On Tuesdays I shadow the team leader and on Thursdays I head to the depot, roll up my sleeves and do anything that needs doing.

“From making up delivery packs for the vans, pulling fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries together and receiving incoming deliveries from supermarkets and donors. I’ll be driving again soon but volunteers generally just help wherever they can at Start Up Stirling.

“My experience at Start Up Stirling has been so enriching. There are people from all backgrounds who volunteer; some people who have been having a hard time in their personal life, others who have been laid off from their businesses and many people like me who are retired and just love the companionship.

“I think everyone has had a time in their lives when they’ve been down on their luck and they’ve needed to reach out to people for help. I’ve had plenty of support from many organisations with my wife so I really want to give back to the community.

“The best part about being a delivery driver is that you’re encountering the people who really need your help. You’re essentially the public face of Start Up Stirling and the people receiving the food deliveries are always delighted to see you. It is really eye opening to see the variety of people who rely on foodbanks. There are people from all parts of society who need our help.

“I think the volume of people volunteering in Scotland is just what you’d expect from Scots. It’s no surprise that in times of crisis people really do come together. I’ve been overwhelmed with how nice the people at Start Up Stirling are.

“I would encourage anyone to start volunteering – I think you really get a glow from having helped someone with no expectation of a reward. It’s really satisfying and great for your mental health.”

There are volunteering opportunities available across the capital. Volunteer Edinburgh is currently running a ‘Think Local, Act Local‘ initiative. Scores of local organisations could use your help – get in touch!

Edinburgh MSP Gordon Macdonald has paid tribute to volunteers who have helped the NHS and local communities during Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).

Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution and work of millions of volunteers who give up their time to help others.

During this pandemic, volunteers have signed up to help in record numbers through the Scotland Cares initiative – over 53,000 in one month – joining the thousands of people who were already helping, either with one of Scotland’s many voluntary and community sector groups or informally with neighbours.

MSP Gordon Macdonald said: “Volunteers’ Week gives us a chance to celebrate the contributions of volunteers who have made such a huge difference to their local areas. 

“Many people in Edinburgh have taken on Covid-19 related volunteering roles to help communities deal with the many consequences of the coronavirus, and it’s more important than ever to show our appreciation for their hard work.

“I want to say a massive thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped the NHS and their local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic, and continue to do so.

“Volunteers will be critical in our efforts to support and rebuild our communities, and I am sure I speak for everyone in Edinburgh when I say we are all appreciative and grateful to those who are ensuring people across the country get the help and support they need.”

 

 

Celebrate the start of Volunteers’ Week with RVS

Tomorrow (Monday 1st June), RVS will be hosting a special online event to mark the start of Volunteers’ Week:

We’ll be thanking all Royal Voluntary Service volunteers and NHS Volunteer Responders for their time and efforts to help others. The line-up includes a range of exclusive performances and a very special message from our President, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

We hope you will be able to join us on the day. The event will start from 2pm and can be accessed through the Virtual Village Hall Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/VirtualVillageHall/.

The Virtual Village Hall is an online activity programme designed by Royal Voluntary Service and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. It features a wide range of activities to take part in at home and is open seven days a week.

There are live and pre-recorded activities on offer and all sessions can be viewed on demand on the Virtual Village Hall YouTube channel or website here: royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/VVH

We look forward to you joining us!

Letters: Thank You from Cats Protection

Dear Editor,

This Volunteers Week (1-7 June), I would like to take the opportunity to thank our fantastic volunteers who give so much of their time, skill and dedication for the benefit of cats in our care.

At Cats Protection we were grateful to involve over 11,200 volunteers during 2018. Volunteers are truly the foundation and life-blood of the charity. Whether volunteering in our shops or populating our social media channels; researching advocacy campaigns or fostering kittens, they ensure that every day we move closer to our vision of a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Without them, we would not have been able to help rehome or reunite 44,000 cats and neuter around 143,000. Nor would we have delivered 1,693 education talks to 52,343 people. They are vital to every aspect of everything we achieve.

I would also like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery who are supporting volunteering across England, Scotland and Wales. Their support for our Volunteer Team Leaders means that we can share best practice through our adoption centres and out to our network of volunteer branches and shops.

We will be sharing a new animation for Volunteers’ Week on our social media channels about the many volunteering roles available with us and would love to hear from cat lovers who would like to help cats locally. They can visit www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering to find out more.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Meredith

Head of Volunteering Development

Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT