John with the S62 Community Together group

John Healey is celebrating the difference that local volunteers make by saying thank you to three local community groups.

As part of Volunteers’ Week the Wentworth and Dearne MP has donated a share of £450 to Goldthorpe Salvation Army, Sunnyside Supplies and the S62 Community Group in Rawmarsh.

The money has come from John’s work helping research company Ipsos MORI with each group receiving £150.

John said “Community groups and volunteers play such a big part in helping people locally. Whether that’s through setting up food banks, organising activities or offering wellbeing support.

“All of these groups have volunteers that dedicate their spare time to helping in the community and each group has been on hand to help people through what has been a tough couple of years including the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

John with Alison Sykes from Goldthorpe Salvation Army

“Volunteers dedicate their time to help each of these groups carry out the hard work they do in the local area. The contributions of volunteers can often be overlooked but they really make a difference in the community and I’d like to say thank you to all of those involved for their dedication.”

Volunteers Week takes place between 1-7 June every year and is a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.

This 38th annual Volunteers’ Week is taking place during the #MonthOfCommunity. Running throughout June, #MonthOfCommunity brings together organisations with a range of events in order to encourage us all to think about and join in with activities happening in our local communities.

Goldthorpe Salvation Army runs a food bank at its centre on Straight Lane and provides community classes and support locally.

Sunnyside Supplies is a Community Café and Social Supermarket covering Wickersley, Bramley, Brecks, Woodlaithes, Flanderwell and Sunnyside which is run entirely by volunteers.

John with Sunnyside Supplies Volunteers

The S62 Community Together group is a collection of support groups based in Rawmarsh covering mental health, community engagement and self-development.

More information on Volunteers Week 2022 can be found here