Do you have an hour to spare which could be used to help others?
Three special events taking place in July will help anyone looking to find out more about the wide range of volunteering opportunities available in the Lancaster district.
Volunteering is a great way to not only help the community but also to meet new people.
There are also no age limits – current volunteers range from 16 to 86 – so there is something for everyone. The list of opportunities is enormous: administration, animal care, befriending, catering, litter picking, conservation work, community centres, counselling, festivals and events, DIY, driving, education, fund-raising, gardening, homelessness, to name but a few.
Three roadshows will be taking place to offer more information on local volunteering opportunities.
Events will be held from 10am to 2pm on:
Tuesday 9th July – Arndale Centre, Morecambe
Wednesday 10th July – near the town centre cenotaph, Carnforth
Thursday 11th July – Market Square, Lancaster
Representatives from the Lancaster District Volunteering Centre, Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council Volunteering Hub, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Lancashire Constabulary will be on hand to answer any questions and link potential volunteers to suitable opportunities.
Jack Meredith-Elsworth, from Morecambe, regularly volunteers at many of the district’s festivals.
“Seeing Lancaster and Morecambe with thousands flooding in, enjoying the weather and making the most of the area actually gives me some fulfilment,” she says.
“It’s worth other people getting involved and volunteering. It’s a chance for them to take ownership and the best place to gain experience and knowledge, especially if it’s a line of work they are interested in. As a younger person, volunteering has offered me so much, and has led to me doing many things and I’d advise people to do the same!”
Coun Jon Barry, Cabinet member with responsibility for the voluntary sector, added: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of many local organisations and without them many services would simply not be able to function.
“Volunteering is a great way to take pride in our community and I would encourage anyone with some spare time to attend these events to find out more.”