A week-long celebration of volunteering in Ealing

---

Volunteer's Week - taking place from 1st - 7th June

Volunteers’ Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1st to 7th June each year. It’s a great opportunity to raise the profile of the UK’s 22 million volunteers, to publicly thank them and highlight their contribution to the local community, and to encourage individuals to find out more about volunteering. Ealing Volunteer Centre has lined up two exciting events:

LAUNCH OF VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK: ‘A VOICE FOR EALING’S VOLUNTEERS’
Thursday 1 June, 4.30 to 6.30pm
Ealing Volunteer Centre, 24 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W5 2BP

The week kicks off with a new initiative for volunteers. Led by Janet Oldham, who was awarded a medal earlier this year for her commitment during Year of the Volunteer 2005, the Volunteers’ Voice focus group will bring volunteers together to explore their experiences of volunteering. The ideas and insights that emerge from the group will feed into the Commission on the Future of Volunteering, which aims to develop a long-term vision for volunteering in England.

LAUNCH OF EALING VOLUNTEER CHARTER AND VOLUNTEERS’ TEA
Saturday 3 June, 3pm to 5pm
St Andrew’s Church Centre, Mount Park Road, Ealing W5 2RS

Centrepiece of Volunteers’ Week will be the launch of Ealing Volunteer Charter, an important milestone for volunteering in the borough. The Charter has been written and agreed by volunteer managers and community representatives, and signed by members of Ealing Local Strategic Partnership, including Ealing Council, Ealing Primary Care Trust, Ealing hospital, and representatives from local schools and businesses. It aims to raise the profile of volunteers by establishing a code of good practice for volunteering.

Over half the population of the country volunteer. In 2003, 62% of people in England and Wales (or 26.4 million people) volunteered informally contributing approximately 1.9 million hours of time, while 42% of people (or 17.9 million people) volunteered formally also contributing approximately 1.9 billion hours of time.

Lizzie Saunders, Manager of Ealing Volunteer Centre, said: “This charter will support and protect volunteers and volunteering, bringing benefit to the whole community. I am delighted to see it launched in Ealing.”

The launch of the Charter will be followed by a celebratory tea for Ealing’s volunteers, who will be awarded certificates in recognition of their contribution to the local community. Among the guests will be Ealing’s new mayor, Councillor Mrs Diana Pagan, the new leader of Ealing Council, Jason Stacey, and Steve Pound MP.

Volunteering is good for you. 63% of 25-34 year olds and 62% of over 65's say volunteering helps them feel less stressed, while 71% of volunteers who offer their professional skills and experience say volunteering helps combat depression. Nearly half of all volunteers say volunteering has improved their physical health and fitness according to research by ICM.

June 2 , 2006