A Bo’ness charity is launching a search for new volunteers.
The Friends of Kinneil works to promote and develop Kinneil Estate and Nature Reserve in the town. It runs everything from open days to environmental initiatives.
The group is now looking for willing helpers to assist at future events. It’s also running a drop-in event this Saturday at Kinneil Museum.
Chair Maria Ford (pictured) said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone interested in helping out – from running tours … or planting trees and flowers … to serving cups of tea. You can volunteer for a one-off event, or on a longer term basis. The choice is yours.
“Since we set up The Friends of Kinneil in 2006, we’ve grown our activities and always welcome willing hands. If you’d like to help us, get in touch.”
The local campaign is being launched during national Volunteers’ Week, which aims to recognise the huge contribution made by activists around the country.
Said Maria: “In recent weeks our volunteers have helped at a fun run at Kinneil foreshore, taken part in a festival at Kinneil Museum and will leading tours around Kinneil House at the end of June.”
She continued: “We get involved in environmental initiatives, from planting wild flowers on the foreshore to cleaning up litter, as well as publicising Kinneil through our website and social media channels. We also co-ordinate a Roman festival, do great fundraising – and lots, lots more. If you have time to spare, we can find a job for you. There is a lot going on. No experience is necessary, and no long-term
commitment is required. Just get in touch for a chat.”
The charity is holding a drop-in event at Kinneil Museum this Saturday (June 4) from 1-3.30 p.m. Anyone interested should pop in. Alternatively, you can drop an email to: info@kinneil.org.uk or call Maria 01506 510629. More information is also online at www.kinneil.org.uk/volunteer
VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK
- This year’s Volunteers’ Week is running for more than a week – to tie in with a special Royal party. The “Week” in 2016 runs from June 1-12.
- Charities across the UK will hold hundreds of events to thank their volunteers and celebrate the power of volunteering to bring communities together. Last year more than 750 events took place, from awards ceremonies to tea parties and barbecues.
- The annual Volunteers’ Week campaign, which was established in 1984, recognises the contribution volunteers make to communities every day.
- Organisers say volunteers are central to the work of countless charities and other organisations – helping out in places as diverse as sports clubs, libraries, schools and hospitals.
- A spokesperson for Volunteers’ Week organisers NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations) said: “For many charities the week will also be a chance to showcase the range of volunteering opportunities on offer. Many organisations will be developing short-term, flexible or remote volunteering placements to encourage
people to take part who normally wouldn’t be able to commit and to help them play a bigger role in their communities.” - The end of the extended Volunteers’ Week 2016 will coincide with The Patron’s Lunch on Sunday 12 June, a celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s lifetime of service to more than 600 charities and organisations to which The Queen acts as a patron, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
- Communities across the UK (and the Commonwealth) will be encouraged to participate by holding their own street party or event, and to use this opportunity to support their local communities through fundraising or giving of time.
Find out more. Visit www.volunteersweek.org or look out for Tweets using the hashtag #volunteersweek
VOLUNTEERING FACTS
FACT ONE: In 2012-13 volunteering output contributed an estimated £23.9 billion to the UK economy. This is equivalent to over 1.5% of GDP. (1)
FACT TWO: 21.8 million (42%) people in the UK volunteer formally at least once a year and 14.2 million (27%) of people do so at least once a month. (2)
FACT THREE: There are 162,965 voluntary organisations in the UK, many of whom rely on volunteers. (3)
FACT FOUR: Lots of volunteering also takes place within the public and private sector. For example, there are an estimated three million people volunteering in health and care. (4)
Figures from:
- This figure is for regular, formal volunteering and is taken from
the UK Civil Society Almanac (2013) - From the Cabinet Office’s Community Life Survey 2014-15.
- UK Civil Society Almanac 2016
- http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/volunteering-health-and-care
For more information on Volunteers’ Week – plus regional statistics and interview requests, please contact Kristen Stephenson on 020 7520 3154 or email kristen.stephenson@ncvo.org.uk
For information on The Friends of Kinneil, call Maria Ford on 01506
510629 or email: info@kinneil.org.uk
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The Friends of Kinneil is a registered charity
Charity Registration Number : SC038368
Kinneil 
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