Essex residents are being asked to consider volunteering this International Day of Charity. The annual day takes place today, Tuesday 5 September. To mark the occasion, people around the world are encouraged to do some good in their community.
Our Summer of Volunteering campaign aims to inspire residents to support their community by volunteering. Sparing just a few hours a week can make a huge difference to communities across Essex.
One of the dedicated volunteers supporting charities in Essex is Malcolm Kimmance. He has volunteered with St Helena Hospice in Colchester for around six years.
Malcolm said: “I support the team in the many and varied functions that they provide. As well as carrying out the usual maintenance tasks, the team provides other assistance to the organisation, including transporting medicines, blood tests and equipment to and from Colchester Hospital and collecting and delivering items in the north Essex area.
“When I sign in on a workday, I don’t know what I am going to do on that day, and that makes the job all the more interesting. It could be anything from putting up a shelf in an office to checking that patients’ call buttons work properly to mending broken items of equipment.”
Malcolm initially signed up to volunteer with St Helena because he thought supporting the organisation would be a great way to use his spare time, and he hasn’t looked back since.
He said: “I can see a direct line between what I am doing and the welfare of the patients and their families. I know that without the contribution that I and the many hundreds of St Helena volunteers provide, the service it offers would not be possible. It makes me proud to know that I am part of a very large group of people who are helping to provide care and support to people at a very difficult time in their lives.
“If you can find even a small part of your week to support the work of your favourite organisation, you will be delighted by how good it can make you feel, knowing that you have helped to make someone’s life better.”
Find out more about the volunteering opportunities available in Essex.