Posted on 1st Jun
During Volunteers Week this week, Newark and Sherwood District Council leader Coun David Lloyd has publicly praised and thanked every single volunteer across Newark and Sherwood without whom he believes ‘many more would have suffered alone for the past year in desperate isolation.’
Coun Lloyd said: “The pandemic has hit many families and loved ones hard during the past year and at times we’ve felt ourselves living in a time full of uncertainty, a time full of worry and a time where we need to lean on others for help and support.
“Out of this unprecedented situation, has come a wave of community spirit and community support that I have never seen in my lifetime and I’ve always been amazed at the efforts of those in our communities.
“As restrictions start to ease we can finally look back at what has been accomplished and offer thanks to those that stood up during the darkest days.
“At Newark and Sherwood District Council, we could not have got this far as we look towards a brighter future after the worst of the pandemic, without volunteer support. And it’s not just in Newark, volunteers have stepped forward across the UK, to get us through this pandemic together.”
In previous years volunteers within Newark and Sherwood have been invited to a number of special thank you events held by Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark and Sherwood CVS. For the second year however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of these events have had to be cancelled. However, the council and CVS want to recognise and give praise to the tremendous effort of every individual volunteer and community group.
Madeleine O’Sullivan, chief executive at Newark and Sherwood CVS, said: “Over the last year, hundreds of volunteers have stepped forward to support their local communities. When we put out a call for volunteers to support the roll out of the vaccination programme over 1,200 volunteers registered, providing a huge 10,000 hours of volunteering per month.
“We feel very privileged to work with all our volunteers old and new and, to be able to raise awareness of the huge difference they make. In this, a year that has made volunteering history; we give them our heartfelt thanks.”
Anyone who has concerns about a vulnerable friend or neighbour can get in touch with the council via the Nottinghamshire Coronavirus Community Support Hub by emailing enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk in the first instance or by calling 0300 500 8080 if they do not have access to the internet. Trained staff and a support network of volunteers are on hand to assist. The Hub coordinates national voluntary services working in Newark and Sherwood, local volunteers and community groups, forming a link between residents needing help and those able to provide it.
