Local health and social care organisations are urging people from the Beccles and Great Yarmouth area to spring into action and find out more about how they can get involved in volunteering for their local community this April. 

Norfolk and Waveney ICS (Integrated Care System) will be hosting events for individuals looking for new experiences and volunteering opportunities they have available in health and care. 

Volunteering can take many forms, and not all roles require a weekly commitment, and many are flexible. Other volunteering opportunities can include supporting mental health activities on hospital wards, assisting a small organisation with their social media activity, or a role which can be carried out entirely from the comfort of their own homes. 

Many people volunteer to make a difference, wanting to give something back to support a charity or group which has made a difference in their lives, or the lives of those close to them. What is sometimes unexpected, is just how much the volunteer themselves can gain from their activities too.  

St Elizabeth Hospice volunteer, Maria Rosier, has volunteered at the hospice’s Bungay retail shop since 2016, shortly after moving to Bungay with her husband Eddie.

“I began volunteering for St Elizabeth Hospice following a recommendation from a friend who also volunteered at the shop,” explained Maria.

“My shifts are flexible, but I usually volunteer every Monday between 1pm- 4.30pm which fits around with my family life which, with having three grown up children, six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, is quite active.”

“I would recommend volunteering to anyone as it allows you to make a difference to your local community and it is also good for your own mental health.

“As well as this, you learn new skills and meet new people and friends. You give a little but get so much back, it is a very rewarding process.”

Susanne Baldwin, Assistant Director; Workforce, Markets and Brokerage – Adult Social Services, Norfolk County Council said:

“Volunteers play such a valuable role in supporting our local communities and their hard work and commitment is very much appreciated. We encourage anyone who is considering becoming a volunteer to come along to one of the drop-in sessions to find out more about the rewarding volunteering opportunities available in health and care in Beccles and Great Yarmouth.”

Belinda Axten, Volunteer Service Manager for East Coast Community Healthcare Volunteer Service in partnership with Voluntary Norfolk says: “We are looking for volunteers to support people in their local community who are facing the challenge of a long-term condition or recent illness or accident, which has led to social isolation or a loss of independence.

“They may be looking for someone to have a coffee with, or to help them go to the shops or to get routine appointments and you’d be helping them to gain confidence and independence.”

To find out more about volunteering, please drop-in to one of these sessions: 

• Wednesday 19 April 12.00pm – 6.00pm at Primeyarc, Market Gates Shopping Centre, Great Yarmouth NR30 2BG
• Friday 28 April, 9am – 2.30pm Beccles Market, New Market Beccles NR34 9HA

Organisations including Voluntary Norfolk, Community Action Suffolk and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust will be on hand to talk to individuals about a range of rewarding volunteering opportunities with local organisations who make a difference in Waveney. For further information about the events, please visit wecaretogethernw.co.uk/volunteering-events/ or contact: nwicb.workforce@nhs.net or 07920285185.