Volunteer Week Resounding Success
Published on:
12
June 2012
Clackmannanshire Volunteer Week proved to be a resounding success with groups being helped out by a variety of volunteers from all walks of life, including a host of elected members.
Council Leader, Gary Womersley, led by example when he volunteered to help out at the WISH Drop-in Food Banks in Sauchie Hall.
The idea of Drop-in Food Banks is to offer food, cereals, tins and packets to individuals and families for a small donation.
Food banks are open every Friday at 2.00pm with Friends of WISH and volunteers in their own community working together to hand out the food bags to people who really need this type of provision.
Councillor Womersley said: "It is not to be seen as a weekly service, but one where if you need this type of support then you know they are here.
"If today getting this gift has helped make a small difference to a person and their family Volunteer Week has been made completely worthwhile.
"Food banks target the most vulnerable people in our community and provide much needed provisions to improve health and wellbeing when their need is greatest."
WISH has taken on the co- ordination of the Drop-in Food banks and established a Management group to oversee the development of them.
Funding has been secured from the Alloa and District Round Table to the value of £5,000 each year for two years.
The first Drop-in Food bank was launched on 1st June 2012 in Sauchie Hall with the support of Friends of WISH and the community group ACTIVE8 who deliver the Fruit Barra's every Wednesday. Through their support the group have been able to secure a central storage facility for the Food banks.
There were over 100 food bags given out on 1st June, and such was the response doors were closed within the hour. On the 8th June, when Councillor Wormersley was among the volunteers, along with Gary Beale, chairman of Alloa and District Round Table, a further 94 bags were given out.
Councillors helped out during the course of the whole week at various venues throughout Clackmannanshire.
Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Craig Holden helped out at the C-Mee, while Provost Tina Murphy and Deputy Provost Irene Hamilton were at Reshaping Care of Older People in the Community at Clackmannan Town Hall. Councillor Holden was at a similar event in Parklands Centre, Alva.
Deputy Provost Councillor Donald Balsille helped out with the Youth Services in Alva.
There was also an Awards Ceremony for Adult Volunteers held at GEAN HOUSE, Friday 1st June. AS part of the celebrations to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, adult volunteers who were nominated for an Award received either a Jubilee Certificate or a Diamond Certificate in recognition of their volunteering work.
The Diamond Certificate was presented to those volunteers who have been volunteering for 25 years or more. All other volunteers received a Jubilee Certificate.
Provost Tina Murphy presented the Jubilee Certificates and Moira Bruce of Clackmannanshire Listeners presented the Diamond Certificates.
A Youth Award Ceremony took place at Claremont Lodge, Thursday 7th June. This year in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee all young volunteers who were nominated/invited to receive an Award were presented with a Jubilee Certificate in recognition of their volunteering work. The Certificates were presented by Allan Milliken, Deputy Head of Education of Clackmannanshire Council.
