From the Herald:
Thank you to the Volunteers – Sidmouth needs you!
Denise Bickley, chair of the Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and Surfers Against Sewage representative, writes for the Herald:
“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” – Kofi Annan
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank.
When thinking about my article, I wanted it to be about the volunteers who get things done, so I researched some inspirational quotes and the two above stood out, because my ‘thing’ is the environment and making our planet better, and trying to draw attention to the harm we are doing by the path we are on. The recent IPCC report has underlined the urgency and I will step up my efforts.
If you’re interested in helping the environment in any way, I’m happy to put you in touch with someone who will need you – email greensidmouth@gmail.com.
Sid Valley Biodiversity Group, Plastic Warriors, Friends of the Byes, Sidmouth in Bloom, Sidmouth Arboretum, Repair Café, the SVA and the Vision Group for Sidmouth are just a few of the groups who always need more help.
I’d also like to open a ‘Library of Things’ (somewhere to cheaply rent for equipment that you don’t need to buy) so will need help, and all our wonderful festivals take a huge amount of volunteer help to get going as well.
If you’d rather help people, how about offering some time to Sidmouth Voluntary Services who are fantastic – you can help out at Twyford House or by getting people to appointments or assist on the lunch club. Volunteers are also needed at Sidmouth Hospiscare.
You could offer to read with children in school, or help in the school garden, or if you enjoy a bit of mayhem help out at a toddler group, scouts or guides! Or at one of our sports clubs, passing on love of a sport to the next generation? (A DBS check is needed if working with children or vulnerable adults).
Another place that relies on volunteers is The Donkey Sanctuary – they have a dedicated page on their website with all the types of volunteering they offer.
I’ve always liked to get involved for many reasons – yes it gives me a warm feeling that I am ‘doing my bit’, but it’s also helped me out. Before marriage and children, I lived on my own, and know that loneliness and boredom can be crippling. Volunteering and becoming part of a team gives a reason to get up, a chance to talk with like-minded people and make friends, and a sense of feeling needed. It’s great for both physical and mental health, and has been proven to reduce stress.
If you are younger and need some work experience, volunteering can help you discover how you fit into a team and what your passions are. If you’re older, and retired, many people feel the benefit of staying physically and mentally active, and feeling like a valued member of society again. For some, their volunteering gives a whole new lease of life and purpose.
Funding is not around for many projects so volunteers are how we can make our world better, and bring those ‘extras’ above the basic services the council runs. From my own experience, I’d rather do a litter pick than expecting the council to do it, as I think scarce local public money should stretch further. In my mind, if something bothers you or you feel passionate about it, don’t expect someone else to do it, get involved yourself!
So thank you to everybody who volunteers – some of whom I know well and many I haven’t yet met – and if you’re thinking about joining in let me know if I can help. It would be great to see some new faces as very often the same people turn up for everything!
Many of the groups mentioned can be found through the Town Council website at sidmouth.gov.uk
Thank you to the Volunteers – Sidmouth needs you! | Sidmouth Herald
