Borough shines the spotlight on volunteering

People are being urged to find out about volunteering opportunities in the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is supporting national Volunteers’ Week (June 1 to 7) which is celebrating the work of those who give up their time to help others.

It is also a chance to find out how to get involved in volunteering.

Activities are taking place across the borough throughout the week which is being co-ordinated locally by Community CVS, which supports the borough’s community and voluntary groups.

Events include a volunteers fair at Blackburn Cathedral from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday (June 5). People can also find out about volunteering at drop-in sessions at the Care Network Hub in Town Hall Street, Blackburn; The Mall shopping centre; Darwen Valley and Mill Hill community centres; Darwen Leisure Centre, and Blackburn Youth Zone.

Lancashire Volunteer Partnership and Macmillan Cancer Support will have information stands at Blackburn and Darwen town halls from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (June 4 to 8). People can also enrol on volunteer training courses with Blackburn with Darwen Council Adult Learning.

The week culminates with a Volunteers’ Awards Ceremony at King George’s Hall on June 11.

Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader Mohammed Khan said:

Volunteers play a vital role in all areas of life in the borough, from helping run youth sports teams or organising community events to raising vital funds for charities.

Their work often goes unsung which is why we are celebrating what they do during Volunteers’ Week.

But the week is also an opportunity for people to find out how they can volunteer and the benefits that it brings. Not only does volunteering help others, it also gives volunteers themselves the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends and boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Blackburn with Darwen Council launched Your Call in 2011. A response to Government funding cuts and the impact they have had on services, the initiative encourages people to make a real difference to their communities by volunteering.

Since then, thousands of people have answered the call by getting involved in things like helping to run community centres or cleaning up the environment.

Councillor Khan added:

The response to Your Call shows that community spirit is thriving in Blackburn and Darwen. People do want to work together to make our wonderful borough even better.

See the full list of activities taking place during Volunteers’ Week locally and further afield.