A NEWLY-launched Worcester charity which aims to promote volunteering across the city has been handed an £8,250 cash boost from the Big Lottery Fund.
Caring staff at Worcester Community Action are celebrating after their funding bid for the Big Lottery ‘Awards for All’ programmes was given the thumbs up on Monday.
The cash injections will mean the hard-working charity will be able to press ahead with the expansion of its activities to promote and marketing opportunities across the city.
Since opening its doors in April, the Angel Centre based charity has secured 70 volunteering opportunities in a wide variety of areas.
And speaking to the Observer a delighted Sally Ellison MBE, trustee and vice chairman said: “There is a real need for volunteers, especially in the current economic climate. A lot of people want to become a volunteer but they just don’t know how to go about it.
“I believe there should be a central point to help people discover how to be volunteer and find out more about volunteering opportunities in the city.”
Among the package of measures the charity hopes to introduce are enhancements to the service which puts people in touch with local organisations and further training programmes for volunteers and volunteer managers.
Charity chiefs also hope to back quartely meetings for voluntary and community sector organisations, where partnership and collaborative working can be discussed.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this funding, as it will definitely enable us to develop our service,” Sally said.
“We are keen to develop all aspects of our volunteering activities, but we also want to support the local voluntary sector through offering a range of ‘back-office’ services, such as offering a DBS checking service and payroll support.”
Andy Walton, Chair of the Trustees, said: ‘Receiving this funding is a terrific endorsement for what we have achieved so far, as well as for our plans for the future.
“We’ve been very grateful for the support we have received from many people across the voluntary and statutory sector and this funding now enables us to evidence our commitment to the aims and objectives of this organisation.”
“We look forward to working with many more organisations over the coming months’
Anyone who would like to get involved with the charity can call 01905 936751 or e-mail [email protected]
Visit www.worcestercommunityaction.org.uk or search for Worcester Community Action on Facebook for more information.
