Celebrating and thanking volunteers

Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire West Voluntary Action are working together to celebrate the role volunteers are playing in the response to coronavirus during Volunteers Week (1-7 June).

While volunteers play a big part in their communities all year round, many more people have started to volunteer during the pandemic to make sure vulnerable groups have all the support they need.

As part of the Council’s coordinated community response to COVID-19, it has recruited volunteers who have then been signposted by CWVA to community initiatives and charities, while others have been good neighbours in their local areas.

Many new initiatives have started to appear as west Cheshire shows true community spirit to tackle the virus.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The response from the community has been outstanding from the very start.

“We always like to celebrate the work of volunteers as they make a big difference in their communities.

“While volunteering is a regular activity for some people, others will have taken up volunteering for the very first time.

“This is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all the great work that has gone on over the last few months.

“It would be fantastic to see as many people as possible get involved.”

Clare Harrison, Deputy Chief Executive of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, added: “We had been running a Year of Volunteering campaign, in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, before the COVID-19 outbreak.

“While that has been put on hold for now, Volunteers Week gives us the chance to celebrate and thank our volunteers in west Cheshire.

“The number of people volunteering in west Cheshire at present shows how much people in the area want to help those who find themselves in a vulnerable position.

“We have some fantastic stories to share throughout the week to show how people from all backgrounds have played their part.”

How you can get involved

Inspire Cheshire West gives you the opportunity to share your stories about how you’ve supported your community.

• Visit Inspire Cheshire West

You can also share your volunteering stories on your own social media accounts. Make sure you use #VolunteersWeek and download the Volunteers Week artwork the Council and CWVA have developed.

• Volunteers Week Facebook banner
• Volunteers Week Twitter banner