COMMUNITY
UNDERCOVER SUPERHEROES It’s time to celebrate volunteers this June and think about the fantastic contribution they make to society. Sara Whatley reports
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his June, from the 1st-7th, it is Volunteer’s Week 2022, and a wonderful opportunity to say thanks to the millions of people that contribute to our society on a voluntary basis. Volunteering is vital for our society and communities. It provides opportunities for people to work, be social, build confidence, give to their community and learn new skills too.
Volunteer’s Week might also be a time to think about volunteering yourself. Is it something you have considered before but never had the time for? Or not known what to volunteer as? Find out more about it during Volunteer’s Week. Volunteering can take up as much or as little time as you want. Most volunteering opportunities are very flexible and organisations will be grateful for whatever time you can commit to them. This might be as little as an hour a week, or many more hours than that. What to volunteer for is a more personal question. Volunteering
opportunities reach far and wide, covering interests as diverse as history, gardening, education, food and drink, animals, social care – you name it and there will be a volunteering opportunity for it. Anyone can volunteer, online from your own living room, or out and about in the community. It is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. You could learn new skills or put your existing skills to positive effect and gain some experience in a new field. This might be especially helpful to those thinking of new careers, a sort of trybefore-you-buy approach! I spoke to Linda Barker, my lovely neighbour, about her volunteering. “It started when I was 16,” she said. “I took
Volunteering opportunities reach far and wide covering interests as diverse as history, gardening, education, and food and drink
June 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 151