Newham Council is marking Volunteers’ Week by praising the selfless contributions made by residents across the borough to support others.
Volunteers’ Week from 1 to 7 June is an opportunity to acknowledge those people who give something back to the community during their spare time and who have answered the call to help during the current Covid-19 crisis.
The challenges of dealing with coronavirus has seen a growth of mutual aid groups across the borough who have welcomed a new cohort of volunteer helpers. Many organisations have changed the way they operate to deliver services and support to the most vulnerable.
In March Newham Council set up eight #HelpNewham hubs to be distribution centres to deliver healthy food parcels and prescriptions, and also created a befriending service for residents via telephone.
A call for helpers came from activeNewham, the Council’s leisure and activity provider, and almost 500 residents came forward to be inducted into their volunteers programme. So far, collectively, they have carried out more than 10,500 hours of volunteering at the hubs. In addition 55 volunteers from the Red Cross have supported the work at the hubs, which have delivered 31,500 parcels.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “During the current pandemic, we have recognised contributions of volunteers like never before. Our #HelpNewham hubs supporting our most vulnerable residents would not have been so successful without the army of volunteers lending a hand. It’s been a humbling demonstration of social activism and our collective humanity. I offer heartfelt thanks to all Newham volunteers for everything they are doing to help, and also our partners in the voluntary, community and faith sectors.”
The Council and activeNewham have also launched the #HelpNewham Skills Bank, to support small businesses through these challenging times by matching them with the professional skills of volunteers in areas such as IT, accountancy, book-keeping, law, HR, and marketing and communications. So far, 94 volunteers have offered help and support to 16 businesses.
During Volunteers’ Week Mayor Fiaz will be using online meeting platforms to meet volunteers and thank them for their efforts, hard work and determination.
Residents wanting more information about volunteering opportunities available or to volunteer to support #HelpNewham or Skills Bank can email volunteers@activeNewham.org.uk or call 020 3770 4444 and select option 5. You can also visit www.activenewham.org.uk and register.
Details of voluntary sector organisations in Newham offering help can be found at www.newham.gov.uk/VoluntarySectorOrganisations and information about mutual aid groups is available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/202303704194767/