Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June

Bedford Borough Council thanks all volunteers

This Volunteers' Week, Bedford Borough Council is celebrating the selfless acts of kindness that have made a huge difference to the lives of residents, including some of the borough's most vulnerable residents since the outbreak of Covid-19.

As a result, since March more than 1,000 volunteers came forward to help the Community Hub support hundreds of the Borough's residents every week with shopping, collecting prescriptions, helping to pack and deliver food parcels or just simply having someone to talk to while isolating.

Residents have shown their appreciation, with a resident from Bromham saying they were "thrilled with the service that the volunteer provided." Another from Kimbolton Road said was "very grateful for our support."

One resident took the time to email the team saying, "For the staff who arrange it and the volunteers who carry out the various tasks such as shopping and collecting prescriptions etc, a very big thank you. I am sure there are many others who also think like this. Once again, Thank You"

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "The response from residents for volunteers was humbling; with people signing up almost instantly back in March. We want to thank all of the volunteers who have selflessly given up their time to help their community. Community spirit has really shone through; I've heard stories of neighbours looking out for each other across the Borough with several local groups being formed."

If you are in need of support, please contact the Hub at www.bedford.gov.uk/covid19 or call us on 01234 718101.

They joined the many volunteers who already give their time for free to help deliver key services to the community - both before and during this time of crisis.

Over 1,000 people volunteered with the Council in the 2019. These volunteers have given their time in local parks and open spaces, at events, in their local community, as well as at the Council's cultural venues including at The Higgins Bedford, local libraries, and the Bedford Corn Exchange, and at the Bedfordshire Archive and Records Service.

Mayor Dave added, "All of the time and effort that our amazing volunteers give really are key in making Bedford Borough what it is. These incredible people work alongside officers from around the Council to keep our parks beautiful and local communities clean, help us to run wonderful events, support our local museum and art gallery and theatre and support people in our local libraries, and carry out fantastic work in our county-wide Records and Archives Service. I would like to say a huge thank you to every single person who has volunteered with the Council this year."

If you would be interested in volunteering in local parks and open spaces, contact volunteering@bedford.gov.uk. If you would like to volunteer at a cultural venue, please email Gemma at gemma.hutton@bedford.gov.uk, or to volunteer at Bedfordshire Archives and Records Services email archive@bedford.gov.uk.