Can you help out for The Big Help Out?

RESIDENTS in Tendring are being urged to try their hand at volunteering as part of a national campaign.

The Big Help Out, a day to promote volunteering, has been launched for His Majesty The King’s Coronation celebrations.

Being held on May 8, The Big Help Out is also being used to showcase volunteering opportunities and give residents the chance to consider what good causes they could support.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring is hoping to encourage more people to take up volunteering and is organising a volunteer fortnight where members of the public are invited to try out volunteering at any of its groups and activities.

Nicola Vella, volunteer co-ordinator at CVST, said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our community and instrumental in our groups and activities, from our lunch club to our walking groups and our craft hubs.

“Volunteering can be coming along and being there to chat and create friendships, to leading walks and cooking lunch for 20 people.

“But volunteering is also hugely rewarding.

“So many of our volunteers say how being a volunteer has changed their life for the better.

“They have made friends and really enjoy being a part of something.

“Volunteering can improve your mental health, give you a purpose, teach you new skills, and help you share skills you already have.”

From May 22 for two weeks, CVST is inviting residents in Tendring to turn up and volunteer.

Nicola added: “We wanted to break down the barriers to volunteering by saying ‘just turn up and try it’.

“This way people can get a flavour of volunteering and find out more about a particular group or activity they might be interested helping with.”

Volunteering opportunities will be available at the lunch club, knitting and crochet circle, RummiKub, seated yoga, friendship cafes, craft group in Harwich, Dovercourt allotment, on reception, gardening, car park tidy, my weight matters group, and walking groups in Clacton, Manningtree and Walton.

Timetables of activities will be on our Facebook page or by calling our Clacton hub on 01255 425692 or Harwich on 01255 554115.

Further volunteering opportunities in Tendring can be found at www.volunteeressex.org.uk

On Monday, May 8, a special Coronation Walk will be held in Walton. Meet at Naze Park Road near the play park at 9.15am. Call 07707282907 for more details.

For more information about the Big Help Out visit our page: The Big Help Out

Back to News