Thursday 6 June was a day of celebration and acknowledgement for all the fantastic volunteers that support communities and residents of Thurrock. People from across the borough came together for a Superhero themed lunch finishing with the Mayor, Cllr Terry Piccolo awarding certificates.
All volunteers in Thurrock are recognised annually during Volunteering Week and those that could not make the day will be receiving certificates of thanks this week.
Projects in Thurrock that could not run without support of volunteers include Community Hubs, By Your Side Project, Healthwatch, Giving for Thurrock and the Beehive Resource Centre.
The Mayor said “Finding myself redundant at 58 years old after a long career left me in what I thought was a very disadvantaged position. However, the volunteering that I had done for over 20 years had actually given me skills and experience to apply and be successful in another role at Thurrock CVS. All the time, I thought I had been helping others when in retrospect, I had also been helping myself.
Volunteering, whether it is for 2 hours a week or 20 is so valued and rewarding. As per the theme of today, we can all be heroes and although I am now retired from my day job, I continue to volunteer every week. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone as a way of helping others but also to contribute to my local area”
There are many opportunities to volunteer, including one off event volunteering at some of the events taking place this summer.
For more information call Lourdette Wilkes, Volunteer Coordinator on 01375 389853, email: volunteer@ngagethurrock.org.uk or visit Volunteer Essex website to view other volunteering opportunities: www.volunteeressex.org