The 'Third Sector' - Volunteering in Stratford-upon-Avon

Thu 8th December

Volunteering in Stratford upon Avon is alive and well, continuing a long held culture of voluntary work and ‘giving back’ amongst town residents. Reflecting national trends, the number of people volunteering has actually fallen over the last two years, but this follows a period of year-on-year increases, which reached a peak in 2008.

Although the number of people volunteering has fallen slightly, the amount of voluntary work that individuals undertake has grown and continues to grow. This applies especially to older people, amongst whom there is a trend for people to take on more and more roles, especially roles of a ‘civic’ nature.

All age groups are volunteering though and in fact the age group presenting itself to VASA’s Volunteer Centre in most number are 16 to 25 year olds, in support of activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, training and adding weight to university applications.

VASA’s Volunteer Centre is on course to register over 200 new volunteers from the town and over 100 new volunteering roles to which new and existing volunteers can be referred onto.

It is not an exaggeration to say that without the support of volunteers, many charities and not-for-profit organisations in the town would not be able to operate and so it is essential that this level of activity is maintained.

Requests to VASA for group support have increased significantly over the last twelve months. Funding advice, management support and help setting up new groups have formed the bulk of requests. Fortunately, neither the town of Stratford nor its District has seen evidence of groups folding as a result of financial difficulties, although in the current economic climate this is an ever present threat.

VASA’s Services and Projects, which run largely on volunteer effort, continue to provide a useful and in some cases essential public service. In Stratford the Volunteer Transport Scheme arranges around 620 passenger trips each month, taking people to medical appointments, day centres and lunch clubs.

The Stratford Hospital Coffee Shop opens Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm and is run exclusively by volunteers. The Loft Workshop, taking in unwanted, but good quality furniture and white goods provides a crucial service to lower income households.

The future of volunteering in the town looks positive. Although there are challenges, there are also many opportunities. We’re in good shape to make the most of The Big Society and Localism Act and make the town an even more attractive place for residents and visitors.

VASA is grateful to the funding it receives from Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwickshire County Council, Stratford Town Trust, Warwickshire Primary Care Trust and Stratford Town Council, amongst others.