The number of volunteers who have signed up during the coronavirus crisis across Leicester and Leicestershire has topped 2,400 - and that 'army' of helpers is set to be recognised during National Volunteers' Week.
When the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, it quickly became apparent that many people across the county would struggle to get basic supplies and medicines.
In the early days of the crisis, Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL) joined forces with Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council to recruit volunteers to help with delivering food, dropping off prescriptions, taking people to medical appointments, befriending vulnerable neighbours and picking up shopping for those unable to get out.
The appeal saw thousands of new volunteers offer their help, with some 1,200 signing up in the city and the same number across the county.
Their selfless community spirit will be celebrated during the annual week which acknowledges the efforts of those who give up their time to help others. This year, it runs from Monday, June 1, to Sunday, June 7.
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In Braunstone, for example, the local food bank scheme had to close temporarily while it was transformed into a doorstep delivery service. The new scheme was soon up and running, helped by volunteers who signed up via the VAL website.
Angie Wright, chief officer at B-Inspired, which runs the Braunstone Foodshare project, said: “Once lockdown was announced, we had to set up a whole new method of working to ensure that food continued to get to the people who needed it most.
“It took us a couple of weeks to organise our new doorstep delivery service, but we did it – and we had a lot of help from volunteers who had signed up through VAL.
“VAL did the recruitment and connected us with a great bunch of people - people who were willing to give their time, and use their car, to deliver our food parcels.
“Now, two months down the line, we’re delivering to about 80 households per week and we’re continuing to support those that were in need before the crisis, as well as those that have fallen into food poverty during this very difficult time.
“Our volunteer drivers have been brilliant: they drop off the parcel and then stand back safely to have a chat with the person to see that they are OK. I believe they are providing a real lifeline for some of our most vulnerable residents in Braunstone.”
Janine is one of five volunteers who help out at Braunstone Foodshare, and she has been a volunteer driver since the project started its home delivery service.
“The reason I signed up with VAL in the first place was to do something useful during the Covid-19 crisis,” said Janine.
“As I’m still working, I didn’t have time for a huge commitment, so when this opportunity came up I jumped at it.
“I’m now volunteering one day a week, doing something really valuable and helping to make sure that people have enough to eat.”
Although the team at VAL is unable to run its usual packed schedule of events and workshops during this year’s National Volunteers’ Week, it has come up with some alternative ways to continue its support for the charities and organisations under its care, from a Zoom session for volunteers, to online training and a live Q&A via Twitter.
By the end of volunteer week, VAL is due to premiere a video featuring well-known faces from the region, volunteers and VAL staff as a final thank you to all those who are providing support and volunteering their time across the city and county.
Kevin Allen-Khimani, VAL's executive manager of public sector contracts and projects, said: “The current coronavirus lockdown has enabled individuals to take stock of what is important in life, and that has overwhelmingly been helping others.
“I think we have all felt vulnerable during the last few months, in one way or another, but at VAL we’ve seen a dramatic increase in registrations from citizens of Leicestershire who want to volunteer their time and skills to make things better or easier for others.
"It’s hugely commendable and we hope that this is the real legacy to Covid-19, upon which we can build and develop further in the future.”
For further information on volunteers’ week activities, visit: www.valonline.org.uk/volunteers-week-2020
