The importance of volunteering

The Big Help Out is a national day of volunteering taking place on 8 May, the Bank Holiday Monday of the Coronation weekend. 

Volunteers will be playing a big part in Coronation events and in Sutton we are very lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers. 

Earlier this week, I was delighted to speak at an event organised by the Volunteer Centre Sutton. I was asked to talk about the ‘Importance of Volunteering’ and how it makes such a huge difference to the lives of local people in our borough.

The event was to ‘showcase’ all the different types of volunteer opportunities which are available in the borough, including those listed in the Big Help Out.

It was an inspiring day and it was lovely to see so many familiar faces and meet lots of new ones. 

This is the first time that this event was held and it was a great success attended by so many people. It really did highlight just some of the fantastic work being done every day by our local volunteers. Over 25 groups were on hand to provide advice and support, and everywhere I looked there were so many volunteers talking proudly about the work they do. It was great to see the variety of volunteering experiences too - from joining one of the Friends Groups in our local parks, to fundraising for a local hospice, to supporting young families. 

I am so grateful to all of the borough’s volunteers. Everything they do makes a real difference to our community in Sutton - no matter how big or small.

Just a reminder that the King’s Coronation is fast approaching. If you and your neighbours want to have a street party, the deadline to apply to close your street is this Sunday 23 April.

Councillor Ruth Dombey

Leader of the Council