Celebrate the heroes in our communities

Sarah Mochan is the Captain of Skegness Cycling Without Age (CWA) and helps the more elderly residents of Skegness get out and get the wind in their hair, as a trishaw pilot. ANL-190214-171620001

Volunteers’ Week will take place next month, and will be an opportunity for the many charities, clubs and community groups to thank those who help them do their good work.

The celebration is a project initiated by Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) with support from Lincolnshire County Council, Skegness Town Council, Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID and local charities, including Skegness Rotary Club and Skegness Round Table.

Barbara Bray, (70) is a volunteer for Lincolnshire Credit Union. ANL-190214-171936001

All organisations, large and small, are being invited to get involved by recognising and thanking the work of their volunteers. They are also being asked to count up the hours their volunteers give to support their activities to display in the Hildreds Shopping Centre.

The Hildreds will also act as an information point throughout the week.

Skegness Volunteers’ Week also aims to provide a range of opportunities for people to get involved and try out volunteering.

There are plans for a town clean-up, some guerilla vegetable planting and guerilla knitting, chances to try out being a radio presenter with County Linx Radio, try piloting a trishaw with Cycling Without Age Skegness, be a campaigner for Diabetes UK, help with habitat and woodland conservation at the Eco Centre and much much more.

Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service Area Officer for East Lindsey Kathryn Laverack said: “Many things in Skegness wouldn’t happen without volunteers - there would be no Scouts, no Lives Responders, no St John’s Ambulance, no Credit Union, no charity shops, no fundraising, no Skegness LCVS – the heart of YOUR community Ambassadors, no beach cleans, no Coastwatch, no befriending services, no clubs and societies.

“Volunteers’ Week is a great opportunity to showcase the work of all the voluntary organisations in Skegness and what their volunteers do. When we add up the thousands of hours given, we expect the number to be quite staggering.

“Volunteering can be something you do just once in a while such as helping at a beach clean or as a regular activity or larger commitment; we shouldn’t forget the many hours given behind the scenes at committees and trustee boards.

“All these hours, whatever the commitment make a real difference our local community.”

Volunteers Week takes place from March 18-24.

To find out more about Skegness Volunteers’ Week, or to get involved, contact kathrynlaverack@ lincolnshirecvs.org.uk like the Facebook page @SkegVolunteers or follow the hashtag #SkegVolunteers.