North Yorkshire MP backs vital volunteer event in Hambleton

A fair celebrating Hambleton’s voluntary sector has gained the backing of the region’s recently-elected MP.

Volunteering Hambleton and Northallerton Library will hold their Volunteers’ Fair on Tuesday 6^th October at the town’s library, between 10am and 1pm. Entry is free and cakes and refreshments will be provided.

Rishi Sunak, who became MP for Richmond in the May General Elections, has offered his support for the event, praising the organisers and encouraging local people to get involved.

The aim of the event is to share and recognise the work of the voluntary sector across Hambleton and also to showcase the opportunities available for people looking to become volunteers.

Representatives from over 30 local organisations will be on hand to discuss volunteer opportunities and the services they offer, including North Yorkshire Police, The Forum, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, North Yorkshire Advocacy, Hambleton Foodshare, Alzheimer’s Society and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Rishi Sunak said: “I applaud this initiative and congratulate all those involved. I’m sure it will be a successful event. The voluntary sector is a vital component in the smooth functioning of any community and I hope as many people as possible attend and find out about the district’s wonderful voluntary organisations and meet the people who make them tick.”

Lizzie Clapham, Volunteering Hambleton’s co-ordinator, said: “Volunteering is a great way to meet and help others and make a real difference to your local community. It can also offer a stepping stone into employment. The magic of volunteering is that it is a two-way relationship.  So alongside the contribution to our local communities, volunteers also benefit tremendously from the experience”.

Laura Dinning, from Northallerton Library, said: “We welcome this opportunity to open our doors to representatives from a wide range of voluntary organisations and those interested in finding out more about volunteering. This promises to be an enjoyable and informative event. Volunteers are an integral part of our society, and without their dedication, energy and commitment, many of the services we take for granted would simply not happen.”

Volunteering Hambleton offers a range of advice and support services to organisations, from help with the development and promotion of volunteering and opportunities, to delivery of quality training and information designed to develop good practice in all areas of an organisation’s volunteer recruitment, support and management.

Details of organisations that will be in the library are available from Volunteering Hambleton on 01609 780458 volunteer.centre@ndvsa.org.uk and Northallerton Library on 01609 533832 northallerton.library@northyorks.gov.uk

ENDS

Editor’s Notes

• Northallerton Volunteer Centre became Volunteering Hambleton earlier this year and expanded its services to cover the whole of Hambleton, working in partnership with the Volunteer Centre in Stokesley.
• For more information on Volunteering Hambleton visit http://www.ndvsa.co.uk
• Volunteering Hambleton is a project of  Northallerton and District Voluntary Service Association.  Charity Reg.  508525