In praise of... our volunteer community

A few were corporate events, but all had one thing in common – volunteers either made them happen, or helped to make them happen.

So a good time to mark Volunteers’ Week over the next few days, the national event to acknowledge the contribution made by people who give some time to helping good causes and projects in their community.

The Association of Guernsey Charities notes that the importance of voluntary work has been brought into sharp focus over the past year during the pandemic, and particularly lockdowns, when many of us were prepared to volunteer in a new and perhaps very different way.

Some of this wasn’t typical, structured volunteering, in fact we may hardly notice ourselves doing it – helping elderly neighbours or relatives by mowing the lawn, or collecting the shopping.

Malcolm Woodhams, chairman of the AGC, says: ‘The true value of our voluntary sector is impossible to calculate, but its contribution to our islands should not be underestimated.’

One thinks particularly of the health and social services provided by charity rather than the state, but it is also clear that many sporting opportunities for young and old would not be so freely available were it not for volunteers.

Many of these good causes were hit hard by a decline in fundraising, particularly over the first lockdown, while demand for their services increased.

But it takes a lot to put a good volunteer down. Mr Woodhams says it better than we can.

‘There can be no greater passion for a particular cause than someone who is prepared to give their time, without reward. The professionalism with which many charities undertake their activities is frequently down to the enthusiasm and commitment of their volunteers.

‘The exceptional work of the local voluntary sector is surely at the heart of #GuernseyTogether.’