Council highlights local campaign during national Volunteers Week

The Council is using national Volunteers Week (1-7 June 2007) to highlight the issue and encourage people across East Sussex to take up volunteering.

Earlier this year the authority launched its volunteering campaign with a film to raise awareness about the benefits of volunteering. Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Services, said: "We are using national Volunteers Week to highlight our own local campaign here in East Sussex. We are also using the opportunity to thank all those people across the county who give their time to groups, clubs and organisations to provide activities and services for over 100,000people.

"People from all walks of life can give time to a group, club or organisation to benefit other people or the environment. You don't have to give up a huge amount of time - just two hours a month can make a big difference. There are also benefits for the volunteer. It's a great way to meet new friends, restart your career and an opportunity to give something back to your community."

The most common types of volunteering are organising or helping to run an activity or event, leading a group or being a member of a committee,providing transport or driving and giving information, advice or counselling. In East Sussex alone over two million hours a year are given by volunteers to providing activities and services in local communities. For further information on volunteering opportunities in East Sussex contact Sarah Hodgetts on 01323 639373 or visit the County Council's website at eastsussex.gov.uk/volunteering. Visit volunteersweek.org.uk for more information about the national Volunteers Week initiative.