Volunteers take centre stage in the daily council video update

Charities, Community, Democracy and Local Affairs, Health and Social Care, Homepage

The critical relationships between Buckinghamshire Council, charities and voluntary groups to beat the coronavirus emergency are highlighted in today’s (Monday) daily video update (Vlog) from Council Leader Martin Tett.

Martin’s guests are Katie Higginson and Martin Gallagher, who talk about the vital role of volunteering in supporting people in the community during the Covid-19 effort.

Katie, CEO of Community Impact Bucks (CIB), an organisation that helps aspiring volunteers, charities and not-for-profit groups, explains how its volunteer matching service works in partnership with the Clare Foundation and the Council.

She speaks about the overwhelming response across the county and, as a result, how the current community need is being met.  “There is so much support taking place in our local communities, it’s absolutely fantastic,” she says. “But looking ahead we anticipate there’ll continue to be a huge need for volunteers.”

Martin, CEO of the Clare Foundation, talks about how they have been working with charity leaders to help them think ahead, how the foundation has worked collaboratively with the Council and the CIB to meet needs throughout the county and to ensure volunteers have the right skills, tools and guidance.

“When you think of all the work by volunteers and the voluntary sector, we couldn’t have got to this point in the crisis without them,” says Martin.

Today’s Vlog can be found at: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/video-updates/

The daily Vlog, supporting the message #ProudofBucks, also provides an opportunity for people to ask questions via social media on how the council is fighting Coronavirus locally, what residents can do to stay safe, and how they can get involved in helping others – using the #askBucksCouncil Twitter hashtag.

Vlogs will also be shared daily on the council’s social media channels.

Daily updates about all council services can be found on the website at: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/changes-to-our-services-due-coronavirus/