All this week it is Volunteers’ Week, an annual event where people who generously give up their time to help other people and causes are celebrated. And whilst we cannot hold events in person due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone across the town who has stepped up during this unprecedented period, as well as to those who regularly volunteer and support our town in so many wonderful ways.
Volunteer response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Street Champions across the community have dealt with over 600 requests for assistance over the past few weeks, all filtered through the Town Council. We know that in many of these cases, once contact has been established, help has been organised on a continuing personal basis, so this is just the tip of the iceberg!
Above – Community Emergency Volunteer, Su Steenberg and the Mayor, Cllr Simon McNeil-Ritchie (who is also a CEV) by the CEV dedicated vehicle earlier this week.
Today the Mayor, Simon McNeill-Ritchie, and Leader of the Council, Dom Newton, have emailed a letter out to all of the Street Champions who have assisted the community over the past few weeks, which you can read below:
Our amazing Community Emergency Volunteers (CEVs) have also dealt with hundreds of requests for help, including prescription deliveries, and have even helped Julian House set up and equip a new home for someone. Read about that in our previously published story HERE
You can find out more about the CEVs in this wonderful article published by the Communities Prepared organisation for Volunteer Week: CLICK HERE TO READ
Of course, although lockdown restrictions have for the time being eased, we know that many people are still shielding and symptomatic, and there is a long way to go before the crisis is over.
So if you are still requiring assistance, please go to our ‘Request for help page‘ and if you would like to join the volunteer efforts, get in touch.
Once again a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone in the town who volunteers and makes Bradford on Avon such a wonderful community to be part of!
Photos Lydia Booth Photography
