The value of volunteering Most charities and community groups are run by volunteers. And without these volunteers the good work these organisations do to help those in need or provide services which would otherwise not be available, would simply not happen. Volunteers are, and always will be, a vital part of a kind and caring society. But, during the past year in particular, voluntary groups have been more in demand than ever. Due to the pandemic, many of us have experienced financial hardship. Others have experienced loneliness and isolation. And all of us have experienced the fear and
it operates regularly through a team of loyal
vulnerability of catching and spreading a
volunteers from the Diss Youth and
virus, not knowing how (or how long) it
Community Centre (DYCC) with the support
would affect us.
of Tesco, Diss Town Council, MTM Youth Services and other individual donors. For
Despite this, our town is relatively lucky.
those (particularly families) experiencing
Diss has many amazing voluntary
unexpected financial hardship due to the
organisations and community groups, all of
pandemic, it has helped enormously.
which have gone above and beyond over the past year. But, during this pandemic,
“I was very honoured and humbled to be
there have been three examples of
invited to see how the FareShare scheme,
volunteering in action that have targeted
based in DYCC, has continued to support
the key areas of hardship, loneliness and
the communities of Diss through this year
vulnerability most in evidence since the
of lockdown,” said Diss Town Councillor,
virus hit.
Sonia Browne. “A big thank you to Sam, Julia and colleagues for their steadfast support.
Help with hardship
The food was originally only received from one of the supermarkets. Now, however,
FareShare redistribute surplus food from
other shops are donating not just tinned
some of the UK’s top food companies to
food, but essential toiletries, nappies, fruits
those in need. A nationwide organisation,
vegetables and frozen food.”
24 Diss Matters Summer 2021
