EARLIER this month was ‘Volunteer Week’ where we celebrated the people who give their time and effort to make our community better.
To mark the occasion I attended the annual Volunteer Expo on June 9 organised by Worcester Community Action, an organisation that has been put together by the redoubtable Sally Ellison who has been coordinating volunteers in Worcester for decades.
Every year the Volunteer Expo gets bigger, with more and more organisations seeking new volunteers and sharing the good walk they do for people in the city. This year’s event took up the whole of the Guildhall and in the sunny weather was even spilling into the High Street.
Volunteers help make life better for others in their communities. Citizens’ Advice, Age UK, Worcester Wheels and many others provide vital support to people who might otherwise be isolated and Midlands Air Ambulance give back by saving lives. Volunteers deliver the events we love like the Worcester Show, the upcoming Worcester Carnival, the recent Elgar Festival and the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival. It is also thanks to volunteers that we have access to the iconic cultural sites that many people associate with the city & County, through organisations like Museums Worcestershire, Hartlebury Castle, Tudor House and Croome Court.
Volunteering has been linked to improved mental and physical well-being. Engaging in acts of kindness and generosity releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones that promote happiness and reduce stress. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfilment, leading to increased life satisfaction and overall well-being. Moreover, volunteering offers a break from daily routines, allowing individuals to gain new perspectives and gain a fresh appreciation for their own lives.
Volunteering is not just about helping others; it also provides a unique opportunity for personal growth and development..
Whether it’s teamwork, leadership, communication, or problem-solving, volunteering offers a practical platform to learn and apply these skills in real-life situations. Volunteering can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, as individuals witness the positive impact they can make on the lives of others. After the pandemic our health trusts are recruiting a whole new generation of younger volunteers and the experience they gain could be valuable for young people hoping to pursue a career in medicine or healthcare.
It was great to have the opportunity to celebrate the work of volunteers and we are fortunate to have such a strong and diverse voluntary sector in Worcester.
Worcester MP Robin Walker writes for the Observer
