Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), today, make a new appeal for support from well-intentioned members of the public to offer their time and skills to the hundreds of struggling voluntary groups and community charities across the county, ahead of the winter season and anticipated re-introduction of stricter lockdown measures.
The charity hub, which supports the voluntary, charity and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Leicester and Leicestershire, first made an appeal in March, in conjunction with Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. The response was so positive that it was affectionately dubbed the ‘VAL Army’, with thousands of community-minded individuals volunteering their time and skills to help groups and individuals whose services in the community were dramatically affected by the lockdown measures.
This fresh appeal comes on the back of last week’s tightening of movement, which directly impacts both the ability of the VCSE sector to operate and successfully support the most vulnerable members of our society, but also those individuals with special needs themselves, too.
Skills sought can be as simple as being confident to pick up a telephone and help with support and crisis lines; be fit or able to help deliver goods to the doors of service users; or simply to act as a befriender to those in the community who are feeling vulnerable and isolated.
Kevin Allen-Khimani, Executive Manager – Public Sector Contracts & Projects, commented: “The world continues to move at an alarming pace and individuals and groups are, sometimes, finding it hard to play catch up. The VCSE sector has never been more needed – be that for food, shelter, access to finance or support for mental health – and we, at Voluntary Action LeicesterShire, are passionate that we want to help as many people and groups as we can over the difficult months ahead. But, we can only do that with the support of the public and those individuals prepared to step up and help their neighbours”.
The appeal to volunteers is county-wide, but there is an express interest to hear from individuals living in:
· Oadby & Wigston
· Queens Road
· Belgrave
· Spinney Hills & Highfields
· Charnwood.
If you have an ability to help – or know someone who can – you can find out more information by visiting www.valonline.org.uk/volunteer