Department for Work and Pensions, tsiMoray and Forres Area Community Trust to host volunteer marketplace at Forres Town Hall as part of The Big Help Out campaign
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ANYONE considering trying out volunteering - or anyone looking for volunteers - is invited to an open event in Forres this month.
As part of nationwide ‘The Big Help Out’ campaign, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), tsiMoray and Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) are hosting a ‘Volunteer Marketplace’ at Forres Town Hall featuring a wide range of opportunities to help out.
Forres-based DWP Employer and Partnership manager, Jane Munro, confirmed the aim will be to promote volunteering opportunities and how to get involved.
She said: “There are lots of benefits to volunteering including gaining new skills, making new friends, increased health and wellbeing, giving something back and improving confidence.”
FACT ran a successful volunteer fair at the town hall at this time last year.
Mrs Munro ran a similar event last month at the Inkwell in Elgin.
She said: “We had 20 different charities attend and over 50 attendees finding out about what’s available locally.”
Feedback included: Moray School Bank - ‘It was a great success and really engaging. It would be great for it to be a regular thing. There were a lot of people looking for volunteering opportunities.’; Moray’s Got Talent - ‘Enjoyed this morning’s event. I have three customers signed up to start with us.’; RNLI - ‘Really impressed with how it was organised. Delighted with the turnout. Had a few enquiries.’; British Legion Veterans Support - Amazed at the talent available locally to support charities. I’ve taken names of customers I’m going to get in contact with.’”
This month’s Volunteer Marketplace from 10am-noon at Forres Town Hall on Wednesday, April 26 has so far confirmed representation from Action for Children, Active Schools Moray, Army Welfare Service, Brodie Castle, CAB, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Clan Cancer Support, Forres Friends of Woods and Fields, Forres Osprey Bus, Forres in Bloom, Guide Dogs, Moray Council Communities and Volunteering Team, Moray Rape Crisis, Moray School Bank, North East Sensory Services, REAP, Reboot, Riding for Disabled, RNLI, Steps Moray, Transition Town Forres, TSI Moray, Walk Moray and Wild Things.
“We want even more organisations with voluntary roles to attend,” said Mrs Munro.
“There is so much out there, it can be difficult for people to know where to start looking!
“In the Forres area, I know that Alcoholics Anonymous and Kieran’s Legacy are looking for volunteers along with many others.
“If you would like to promote your charity, please email jcpmoray.employerandpartnershipteam@dwp.gov.uk to book a stall.”
See https://thebighelpout.org.uk/ for more information about the national campaign.
