City says thank-you to our wonderful volunteers
Swansea is celebrating National Volunteers Week with a big thank-you to the thousands of people who give-up their time to help others in the city.
The Guildhall is being lit-up today (June 1st) and people are being encouraged to thank those who volunteer and to think about getting involved themselves and the many benefits it can bring.
Many council-run services are supported by volunteers including play, sport and youth schemes and volunteers also help keep people safe while out in the city centre and Wind Street at night.
School governors carry out important but unpaid roles and the city's network of food banks would not keep going without volunteers.
Community centre committees in Swansea are run by volunteers, there are Friends groups who support our parks and open spaces and volunteers help charities and community action benefitting the community on a daily basis.
Swansea Council is in the process of developing a volunteering strategy to further enhance their volunteering offer in Swansea.
Cabinet Member for Wellbeing Alyson Pugh said: "Thousands of volunteers give up their time to make our city a better place to live and on behalf of the council I would like to say a huge thank-you to each and every one.
"I would also like to thank our many partners in the voluntary sector and of course Swansea Council for Voluntary Service who we have worked with particularly closely with since the pandemic and whose assistance has been invaluable.
"Volunteering takes many forms from the mums and dads who give up their time to run sports clubs to the charity shop staff who help raise vital funds for such good causes.
"Some people give up huge amounts of their time, others a few hours here and there, but all contributions are hugely valued."
SCVS Director Amanda Carr said "As we again begin National Volunteers Week, the UK wide celebration of all things volunteering, I am proud to see that the voluntary and community sector in Swansea is as dynamic as ever.
"Despite the challenges of the last few years, the sector continues to thrive, grow and adapt to make sure that support is there for all those who need it, and this is entirely because of the army of thousands of volunteers who give up their time to benefit others.
"Thank you for all that you do - from the Trustees, to the befrienders; the litter pickers to the sports volunteers and everyone in between - we value you more than we can say."
You can browse local opportunities at: swansea.volunteering-wales.net, find the Swansea Volunteer Centre at www.scvs.org.uk/volunteercentre or email: volunteering@scvs.org.uk for support.