Last week (1st-7th June) was Volunteers’ Week across the country, as the tremendous contribution made by volunteers of every sort was celebrated.
I was lucky enough to be part of two events in the Borough. One was celebrating voluntary fire fighters in Hampshire.
One Community Volunteers Presentation Evening
One Community Volunteers Presentation Evening took place on Wednesday 3rd of June at the SoCo-Courthouse on Leigh Road (at the Old Magistrates Court.
Sadly Julia Allan, Head of Voluntary Sector Support, couldn’t be there as she was unwell, but Chief Executive Jean Roberts-Jones and other members of staff were there to run the event.
Certificates were presented by our new Mayor, Councillor Jane Welsh, who arrived from another event only to discover that she had left the Mayoral “Bling” in her other jacket!
Youth Volunteers
First up were the Youth Volunteers – and how fabulous is it that U16 and U18 year olds are getting these awards?
Listening to their nominations being read out by Maureen (who did an amazing job despite being nervous earlier in the evening as we set up), was amazing including the U18 winner who supports disabled games, coaches and trains other young people 4 evenings a week.
Oh, the youth of today!
Here’s your reply when someone dismisses “the youth of today” as being uninterested in anything not on a computer screen!
One Community
The full range of One Communities’ activities was covered in the adult awards from the Breathe Easy Centre in Hedge End, to the Eastleigh Bereavement Service, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Good Neighbours, Eastleigh Museum, HealthWalks, One Community Carers, the Minibus Services and Simon Says (Children’s bereavement service) – who collected in Asda this weekend!
After all getting on stage and waving their certificates for the camera there was a nice buffet (which we were glad to be able to contribute towards) and drinks while everyone milled about in the coffee shop area and had a good chat!
Related posts:
Eastleigh Museum is one of those hidden gems in Eastleigh Town Centre. I love visiting the museum to look around or buy local handmade items. The volunteers at the museum are always friendly and helpful.
One Community mini buses are extremely important for our community. With the help from the drivers, some of the elderly from various homes are able to enjoy free theatre performances offered by Chameleon Theatre Company.