Henley-on-Thames Town Council and Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) are encouraging local people to go along to a Volunteers’ Fair on Saturday 6 October, to find out how they can get involved in their community. 25 diverse local community groups and charities will be at the Market Place, 10am-2pm, Henley-on-Thames, hoping to attract much-needed volunteers to offer some time to support their essential services. Volunteering opportunities on offer are wide ranging including lifeboats, gardening, counselling and a youth festival.
OCVA will also be on hand to talk to potential volunteers about the skills charities and community groups like these are looking for, as well as to offer advice to the organisations themselves about funding, and setting up and running a group. Lindsay Watts, OCVA's Volunteer Centre Oxfordshire Manager, said: “Hundreds of people attended last year’s inaugural event to see what was on offer and many groups reported that they had recruited new volunteers on the day. Volunteering is a great way to improve or learn new skills, to enhance your CV and to help you feel part of your community. Pop along to the market square to see the wide range of volunteering opportunities on offer locally.”
Gillian will be taking part in this event as Leader of 1st Henley Guides. Getting involved with Guiding has led to her knowing lots of people in the Town, developing her skills and sharing experiences she wouldn't have had otherwise.
Mayor of Henley-on-Thames, Cllr Elizabeth Hodgkin will be opening the event at 10am. For more details on the event contact Nicci Taylor at the Town Council on email n.taylor@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01491 576982. If you cannot attend the event and are interested in volunteering, or are a community group looking for advice or to recruit volunteers, contact OCVA on 01865 251946.
