Charity Cotswold Friends will be celebrating the difference volunteers make to their organisation and thanking them for their time and dedication during this year’s Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June).
Throughout the week, Cotswold Friends will be featuring case studies of volunteers who help them deliver their various community services on their website www.cotswoldfriends.org, Facebook and Twitter, and raising the profile of the amazing contribution volunteers make.
Cotswold Friends help and support older and vulnerable people by running several services in the North Cotswolds, including community transport, activities and day clubs, independence and carer support, befriending, and hospital support.
The charity’s aim is to combat loneliness and isolation through their voluntary services, improve health and wellbeing, and support independent living. It has recently expanded its community transport service into Cirencester. It also receives support from young volunteers through its intergenerational projects.
Cotswold Friends volunteer befriender Jeannie Andrews, who lives in a village near Northleach, says:
“I was missing the human contact work used to provide, so when a Cotswold Friends information leaflet dropped through my letter box, I applied to become a befriender and was accepted.
“Volunteering gives structure to my week regardless of the weather. My new friends have added another dimension to my life that was lacking before.
“It's good to feel part of an organised community group too, within a team of caring and friendly people who value my small contribution to the work of support being done.”
Joanna Hammond, CEO of Cotswold Friends, said: “I'd like to say a big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers in the North Cotswolds and Cirencester.
“The quality of life of people using our services has been greatly enhanced by the contribution of volunteers, and their support for vulnerable people living in our communities has been incredible.”
Cotswold Friends has volunteer roles available now to support people who may be isolated in the North Cotswolds and Cirencester. If you think you could help, contact George Halling, Volunteer Manager, on 01608 697007 email volunteering@cotswoldfriends.org.