Community volunteers celebrated during National Volunteers’ Week

Renfrewshire’s volunteers have been recognised for their commitment to their communities in a special celebration event for National Volunteers’ Week, hosted by Renfrewshire Council’s Community Learning and Development team.

Community Learning and Development covers a range of activities including youth work, community-based adult and family learning, and community development. Within these services, Renfrewshire Council offer volunteer opportunities to enhance personal development and make positive changes in people’s lives. These include opportunities in Adult and Family Learning, English as a Second Language (ESOL), Youth Voice groups, Duke of Edinburgh awards, Team Up to Clean Up and Street Stuff.

Around 40 volunteers attended the event on Monday 5 June to be thanked for their hard work and commitment.

Elaine, a volunteer for Team Up to Clean Up said: “This event has been great because I’ve spoken to so many other Team Up volunteers in our Facebook group before, but never managed to meet them in person. It’s nice to come together and meet other like-minded people.”

As well as having the chance to network with each other and hear from staff, volunteers were issued with a certificate and small gift.

Several volunteers were also offered the opportunity to speak about their own volunteering experiences as part of the event.

Susan, a volunteer with the adult literacies team said: “In October I’ll have been volunteering for 15 years. I get so much out of volunteering and love seeing something ‘click’ with a learner. It’s something I intend to do for a long time to come.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convenor of Renfrewshire’s Communities and Housing Board said: “Our Community Learning and Development teams conduct vital work in our communities and our volunteers add so much local skill and knowledge to help support that work.

“National Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people across the UK make through volunteering in their communities and it is important that we take time to recognise those who are going above and beyond to make a positive difference here in Renfrewshire.

“Congratulations to all our volunteers. We are so lucky to have you.”

You can find out more about volunteering with Renfrewshire Community Learning and Development by contacting the team on 0141 487 2813 for opportunities in Adult Learning and Youth Services, and by email at litterpicks@renfrewshire.gov.uk for Team Up to Clean Up.