July 13, 2009
MP HELPS LAUNCH VOLUNTEERING ‘HUB’
Cllr Shaun Wright with John Healey MP and Caroline Langston, High Street Centre manager, Jan Brooks, volunteer and training worker and Kerry McGrath from the project steering group.
John Healey MP helped launch a new initiative aimed at being a hub of volunteering activity in Rotherham.
The Rawmarsh and Parkgate Volunteer Exchange aims to link new volunteers to local volunteering opportunities, provide training and support required and promote volunteering across the community, particularly among young people.
Mr Healey, who helped launch the volunteer exchange, said: “This project will provide a valuable resource at a time when more people than ever want to volunteer, to gain new skills and improve their employability while doing something that is of real benefit to their community.”
Based at the High Street Centre, Rawmarsh, the project has been funded with a £123,966 grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
The money has paid for a volunteer training co-ordinator who will help match people who want to volunteer with training and community work.
High Street Centre manager Caroline Langston said people could phone 01709 719478 or email hscrawmarsh@hotmail.com to make an appointment.
She said: “We will not turn anyone who wants to volunteer away. If we can’t find them a role we will create one.”