The last two calendar years have been life-changing for most of us, with isolation and waves of panic, however, it’s all bolstered the volunteering community, both locally and nationally. We caught up with Katy Watson, Volunteer Manager at Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Volunteer Network, to find out a little bit more about the importance and interest in volunteering locally, the impact of COVID-19 and how our readers might be able to support them.
The BBW Volunteer Network is delivered by Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service and consists of a small team including Katy, two project assistants, Karen and Emily who form part of the wider CVS team.
The CVS is a registered charity, set up in 1979 to promote, develop, support and represent a thriving, effective, voluntary and community sector in the borough. You will find CVS’ across the county, there are 14 operating across Essex including one in Brentwood and one to cover Basildon, Billericay and Wickford.
Katy, who works on connecting people who want to volunteer with volunteering opportunities, spoke on ways they’ve worked with the community as of late: “I often find that people don’t realise the wide range of volunteer opportunities there are available that suit different skills, interests and availability. From befriending, to a charity Trustee, book-keeper to driver, the list is endless!
“We enjoy getting out and about in the community and connecting with people. Pre-COVID we ran an intergenerational activity to mark Student Volunteering Week whereby students from a Special School sixth form made Valentine’s cards and handed them out to attendees of an over 50’s activity centre.
“At the end of last year our volunteers helped deliver bags of Christmas goodies to members of the public who were going to be alone over the Christmas period and more recently we have been coordinating volunteer marshalls who have been supporting GP led vaccination clinics in Basildon and Billericay.
“We are currently available at the Happy Hub (The Eastgate Centre) in Basildon on Wednesdays between 11:30am – 1:30pm to speak to those interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer.”
While the pandemic has been a very difficult time for many of us, it really has highlighted the power of community and raised the profile of volunteering. It has been truly amazing to see how many people came forward to offer their time to help others with shopping, deliveries, telephone calls and a whole host of other things as a result of the pandemic.