PEOPLE in Malvern Hills District hoping to take up a new volunteer role this year can visit a virtual fair being held today.
The event is taking place on Malvern Hills District Council’s Facebook page.
The hashtag #MHDVolunteerFair is also being used on social media to highlight volunteer opportunities.
As well as information on roles with community groups, charities and organisations, such as the NHS, there are videos of people speaking about roles and volunteers talking about their experiences.
The fair has been organised to support the voluntary community following the closure of Malvern Hills Volunteering.
Established in 2010, Malvern Hills Volunteering was set up to meet the needs of local people and voluntary organisations.
It worked to help individuals find the right volunteering role while supporting organisations to recruit new volunteers within good practice for volunteer management guidelines.
Community Action Malvern, which operates a wide range of services to local people, as well as voluntary and community organisations, is now consulting with local organisations with the aim of establishing a Volunteer Centre in the Malvern Hills District.
Plans are in place to search for a location for the centre.
Work will initially focus on recruiting and placing volunteers with local projects and groups, as well as promoting a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
In time, further services such as training, funding advice or other support will be offered once the project is more established.
Kate Walton, Chief Officer at Community Action, said: “Community Action is delighted to be actively involved in the setting up of a new Volunteer Centre in Malvern which will benefit the whole community and its diverse range of groups and organisations.
“We already have plans for what the project can do in the future but in the meantime, we are working closely with Malvern Hills District Council to ensure that volunteering remains in the spotlight.”
Coun Tom Wells, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are excited to see this new chapter in the volunteering offer for the district and will be working closely with Community Action.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Malvern Hills Volunteering who have dedicated their time over many years to supporting the voluntary sector.
“I’d also like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and voluntary organisations in the Malvern Hills District, for everything you do.”
Visit www.facebook.com/MalvernHillsDC to follow the Malvern Hills District Virtual Volunteer Fair.
For more information about the Volunteer Centre, email [email protected] at Community Action Malvern.
