Volunteers in Bath and North East Somerset contribute over £170,000-worth of time each year to supporting local older people, Age UK B&NES has revealed.
The local charity is using Volunteers Week, 1st – 7th June, to shine a light on the work that its 200 plus volunteers do.
“Our volunteers provide a lifeline for thousands of older people living in the community. Quite simply, we couldn’t provide the essential services we do without them,” said Age UK B&NES chief executive Janet Dabbs.
Volunteers’ Week is a time to celebrate everything they do, and say a big thank you.
“It’s also a good opportunity to ask for new volunteers to join us – we need more people across the area. Please, if you can give us even a few hours of your time each month, get in touch.
“We need people for all sorts of things, including driving, helping out at our Hubs, day centres and lunch clubs, and befriending, which is often simply visiting a lonely older person for a cup of tea and a chat.”
Age UK B&NES’ volunteers range in age from 19 to 87 and have given 17,000 hours of their time over the year.
Bridget is one of them – she has been volunteering with the charity for 20 years, supporting the information and advice service.
“I like speaking to the clients,” she said. “They are all very grateful and the charity’s work makes a tremendous difference to them. I would definitely recommend volunteering for Age UK B&NES – it’s nice to get out and do something, even for a couple of hours a week, and I like meeting and talking to people.”
To thank all its volunteers, Age UK B&NES is holding a party on 7th June at the Theatre Royal’s 1805 Room, with entertainment from The Smithies.
If you’d like to find out more, contact [email protected] or call 01225 466135.
