‘VOLUNTEERING WEEK’ UK 1st – 7th July 2023
What are these events all about? They are held every year in recognition of all the contribution that volunteers do in all areas of the community to improve people’s life, and to say a big thank you to the volunteers.
The International Volunteer Day was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteering. The UK’s Volunteer Week in 2023 is in its 39th year and generally has themes e.g. awareness of volunteering, the power of youth and its influence in the voluntary sector.
People from all walks of life in the UK volunteer on all levels to improve and help communities in many different ways. This volunteering is invaluable as many would go without and life would be a lot more difficult for many others if volunteer assistance was not available.
Volunteering not only helps others but also can be beneficial to the volunteer’s wellbeing also. It is human nature to feel good after helping someone out. New skills can be learnt by the volunteers and improvements in their confidence also.
It is quoted that over 16 million people in the UK did some form of volunteering in 2020/2021 and that most people have volunteered in one form or another at some point in their lives.
In the UK also there are many small charitable organisations and groups that operate in the voluntary sector, the majority of personnel in these organisations are volunteers. There is even an organisation, The National Council of Voluntary Organisation that looks after the interests of many of these smaller groups giving guidance on their operation.
These smaller organisations however operate in many areas of the community such as care for the vulnerable, help for those struggling to cope with or unable to afford civil and legal advice. Groups that help the elderly with transport and meals and other groups helping those less fortunate than ourselves, who have fallen on hard times and are living rough.
There are many volunteers operating in even larger organisations such as the National Health Service and some larger companies operate volunteer days making community improvements as part of their community involvement.
There are groups improving our environment such as the community ‘In Bloom’ groups striving to improve the aesthetics of the local environment for the wellbeing of the community. The list is endless.
The UK’s very own National Allotment Society is mainly operated by volunteers with the vast majority of members being volunteers in one form or another. Many allotment sites in the UK are also managed, maintained, and improved by volunteers, protecting, and improving the nations allotment stock for the benefit of future generations. Not only that they are improving the environment, providing fresh locally produced food, benefitting Climate Change, improving Biodiversity, well-being of many in the community and the list goes on.
It all boils down to that instinct and desire to help others and a will to improve what we already have.
Well done to all volunteers your work is invaluable and very much appreciated.
Rawdon in Bloom – Judges comments – Gold
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Overall Impression: It is evident from meeting the core members of the RIB group that they are very passionate about their village, and their passion and obvious enthusiasm shows in the results that their hard work around the village has produced. It is obvious that the group are constantly working to improve the overall look of the area, and the newly created Layton rockery as you enter from Horsforth into the village is a very pleasant sight. Their ethos of self-sufficiency and recycling are to be commended. With over 85% of the bedding plants seen around the village being grown by RIB members. The recycling of wood from the village, and skills provided from local residents to create signs and planters made an impressive addition to Rawdon. Trinity Church, the Garden of Remembrance, the lovely Crowtree planters along with the very well-kept Victory Garden Allotments were very pleasant stops on our tour. The ninety-nine white iceberg roses planted at the Littlemoor memorial stone and gardens was a place of peace and reflection for the local villagers. A number of the local businesses were seen to be supporting RIB with the very lovely planters outside their properties. All in all – a lovely village to visit. Judges feedback on areas for consideration.
Because of the building work being carried out at the local Primary school the judges did not get a chance to see the work carried out at ‘The Hive’. It would have been nice to have seen evidence of bird houses, bug hotels possibly being placed in this area.
In addition to the above the Vice Chairman of Rawdon in Bloom Phil Gomersall, was awarded ‘Community Champion’ award, presented to ‘individuals who have gone above and beyond to make their community gardening projects a success’, by the RHS Yorkshire In Bloom, under their Discretionary Yorkshire Rose Awards. Whilst Phil is very honoured by this award, he would like to stress that the success of the projects in Rawdon is and has been due to a dedicated team effort.
Phil Gomersall, Vice Chairman, Rawdon in Bloom.
In this article worth reading, as part of the National Gardening Week, Phil Gomersall reports on the appeal of allotments.
In his unique way, he describes both his personal experiences that led him to his passion and the question of what makes gardening so special.
He emphasises the social and ecological aspects that lead to an increasing interest in new allotment garden plots.
Phil Gomersall, president of the National Allotment Society,
on his plot in Rawdon. Picture: Simon Hulme
Read the full article here and let yourself be infected by this passion.
Appeal of allotments as Leeds waiting lists grow: They're the 'best thing since sliced bread'
By Ruby Kitchen, The Yorkshire Post, 5 May 2022
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/lifestyle/family-and-parenting/appeal-of-allotments-as-leeds-waiting-lists-grow-theyre-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread-3680852
National Gardening Week (2-8 May 2022)
https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week/
