Today, Saturday 2nd May, was originally intended to be the day of our inaugural Volunteer Celebration, hosted by the Mayor, Simon McNeill-Ritchie, at St Margaret’s Hall.
The ensuing COVID-19 pandemic meant, of course, that it had to be postponed, whilst at the same time volunteers from across the community are now mobilised and helping those in need like never before in our lifetimes.
Even today, a Saturday, some of the amazing Community Emergency Volunteers (CEVs) have been hard at work setting up a flat with donated furniture and a food parcel, ready for the arrival of a person being assisted by Julian House.
Paul Robertson, CEV Coordinator said of their last few weeks work:
We have been primarily assisting the self-isolating and shielding with shopping and prescriptions and picking up tasks that aren’t covered by the extensive town street champion network. For the 6 weeks we have been active during the lock down our CEVs have undertaken over 120 deliveries including donated flowers from a local garden.”
(Pictured left to right: CEV Duty Coordinator Tim Trimble and CEVs Tom Murphy, Peter Morley and Georgia Foreman – Photo Lydia Booth Photography)
As mentioned above, a volunteer network of street champions have also been hard at work, with coordination assistance from Town Council officers throughout the week. So far, we’ve processed over 370 requests for help across the community – ranging from shopping/prescriptions through to questions about food bank parcels and worries about social isolation.
Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie (Mayor of Bradford on Avon) said:
“We had originally planned today to celebrate the wonderful work of volunteers in our community and the exceptional contributions of some individuals, but in these unprecedented times, we have never been more grateful in our town to those who voluntarily help others, both formally as part of organisations such as the CEVs, The Hub, Julian House and our own families, friends and neighbours. On behalf of the Town, I would like to say a HUGE thanks for the work of dedicated volunteers and assure you that once we are able to, we will hold a well earned celebration in honour of you all!”
