Traditionally, January is a month when we reflect on the year that has passed and what we have learned, celebrate our achievements, and set out goals and resolutions for the upcoming year.
2021 was another challenging year during which the contribution of volunteers in the Ripon area was crucial.
The only way we are going to get through our current situation is by coming together and helping each other. The strengthening of networks and sharing of knowledge, support and ideas is more important than ever.
By working together and sharing resources, a sense of community is developed, and an even greater difference can be achieved. The expertise and knowledge of our local charities is invaluable.
Having strong relationships at a grass roots level helps good stuff happen. During 2021, the co-ordination of volunteer vaccination marshals across the Harrogate district was a good example.
At Harrogate & District Community Action we’re excited to be a partner in two new positive partnership projects getting underway in 2022. Both projects, ‘Volunteering City of Ripon’ with the Skell Valley Project and ‘Community Fit’ with North Yorkshire Sport, are all about bringing people together and promoting and supporting volunteering.
‘Volunteering City of Ripon’ is part of the prestigious Heritage Lottery funded Skell Valley Project led by the National Trust Fountains Abbey Studley Royal and Nidderdale AONB.
Ripon depends on its volunteers and we’re looking for a project co-ordinator to help recruit, train, support and retain more, working together with volunteer managers in local charities. We want to help boost Ripon’s reputation as a volunteering city, ensuring top class volunteering experiences and encouraging a really diverse range of people to give their time and skills.
Harrogate District ‘Community Fit’ is the name for a community of runners, walkers and cyclists, who will combine getting fit with doing good work in the community. These volunteers will combine their physical activity with stop offs to carry out tasks for community organisations and to support anyone with conditions related to health or old age that prevent them from doing the things they want or need to do.
For example isolated older people may receive social visits and help with one-off tasks they can’t do on their own. ‘Community Fit’ will also aim to increase the movement levels of people visited, so for example, a volunteer may encourage an older person to get up to help make a cup of tea.
We’re looking for two enthusiastic team members who can help get the project started, people moving, and essential tasks done.
If you’re looking for a new challenge in 2022, the new roles with both projects as well as a range of local charity jobs may be found at www.hadca.org.uk/jobs
If volunteering was your New Year Resolution, it’s not too late to start! You really can make a positive difference to your community and your own life, by getting active, connecting with new people or learning new skills.
Take a look at our searchable HADCA Volunteering Directory for inspiration at www.hadca.org.uk.volunteer
If you’re involved with a charity or community group, why not join us? New members of the Connecting Ripon Network are always welcome. Find out more at www.hadca.org.uk/ConnectingRipon
Together let’s achieve more, building on the local culture of volunteering and neighbourliness that has flourished so much in Ripon and surrounding villages over the last 2 years.
