Councillors want a county-wide awards ceremony to recognise the hard work of volunteers.
At a corporate and communities committee meeting on Monday (June 1), the idea of an awards scheme for Worcestershire volunteers was floated by Councillor Karen May.
She said: “I think recognition is most important – it’s the greatest motivator to people contributing.
“You don’t want bells and whistles but it’d be nice after somebody’s contributed for a number of years that we actually just say ‘Thank you very much for your contribution’.”
The committee was meeting at the start of Volunteers’ Week, which runs until Sunday, June 7 and aims to celebrate the contributions of volunteers, while inspiring more people to get involved.
“Many charities have CEOs that earn a lot of money,” said Councillor May.
“We support them with volunteering but we don’t recognise the people on the ground that have done 20, 30 years and I think that is a missed opportunity.”
Hannah Perrot, assistant director for communities, said the suggestion would be taken to the council’s internal volunteering forum.
She said there are “other schemes that happen within the broader voluntary sector” but the authority would look at “what more we can do” to recognise its volunteers.
Committee chair Seb James said an awards scheme is “much needed”.
Josh Robinson, cabinet member for environment and communities, said he also thought it was a good idea.
He’d said earlier in the meeting: “Just to place on record my thanks to all the volunteers in the county.
“The work they do, it is fantastic.”
Council leader Matt Jenkins said Worcester Community Action is holding an event at the Guildhall on Friday, June 5 between 10am and 2pm, with information on a range of available volunteering opportunities.
He said an awards ceremony might be something that should be left to councils at district level.
Service development manager Lisa Bedford said 222 residents had registered on the volunteer portal Love Volunteering Worcestershire since it was launched five months ago.
Crossing finally upgraded two years after crash left woman in hospital
Hundreds back pub’s bid for longer hours as council approves plans
‘Eyesore’ building could be replaced by five new homes
She said 115 organisations had also registered to share their volunteering opportunities on the portal.
“It’s a great start and we want those numbers to double or more,” she said.
She also highlighted the benefits of volunteering.
“Not only do residents benefit from the support they’re receiving from volunteers, but actually the benefits to the volunteers themselves, which is around loneliness, social isolation, improved mental wellbeing, being more physically active, stronger social connections, more rooted in your local community, building confidence, building skills, and hopefully in some cases taking people on the journey through to finding work, employment – all of those important things we need for a really healthy lifestyle.”
Should Worcestershire County Council recognise volunteers at an awards ceremony? Let us know your thoughts in the comments
