Volunteers Week 2005

As ever, this years Volunteers Week (1-7^th June 2005) has seen a wide range of activities taking place in Swansea.

The aim of the week is to raise the profile of volunteers and the work they are involved in, and to encourage more people to get involved in the wealth of voluntary activity that takes place in Swansea.

With this in mind, SCVS' David Bater has been entertaining the masses on 'Swansea Sound' each morning of the week, and there has also been an information trailer in the city centre for 3 of the days, where information was given to more than 70 potential volunteers - despite the downpours!

In addition to this, Volunteers Week 2005 has seen for the first time in Swansea a 'Volunteer Recognition Event', organised by members of the Swansea Volunteering Forum (SVF – a forum for people who deal with volunteers, where they can share information, network and explore partnership projects).

The Recognition Event took place on Monday 6^th June in the Arts Wing of the Grand Theatre, Swansea.

Compared by 'Swansea Sounds' Kevin Johns, the event recognised the hard work and dedication of more than 100 volunteers from: Discovery, Minority Ethnic Womens Network, Involve, Age Concern, The Mental Health Volunteering Project, Alzheimers Society, The Dark Horse Venture, West Glamorgan Forum, Caer Las Cymru Connect Project, Cancer Information Support Services, Millennium Volunteers, and the Swansea winners of the Wales wide Volunteer of the Year Award.

Each volunteer received their certificates from either Val Lloyd, Assembly Member for Swansea East; or from Councillor Mair Gibbs, Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea.

The event was a great success, and gave organisations the chance to formally thank the people without whose help Swansea would be a poorer place – and with smiles all round the volunteers had the chance to chat to each other and to enjoy some of the special 'Thank You!' cake.

Roll on Volunteers week 2006!!!