Why not make 2013 the year you discover volunteering?

Merton Partnership, which includes the voluntary sector, Merton Council, the police, fire brigade and Merton Chamber of Commerce, is calling on people to commit to volunteering in 2013, as part of a new campaign set to kick off on 2 January.

Called Shout about your volunteering (SAYV), the campaign will celebrate people who live and work in Merton and give their time for the benefit of the community.

Throughout January, visitors to the civic centre in Morden and Vestry Hall in Mitcham will be able to see an exhibition of volunteers and find out how they make a difference and are helping make Merton a great place in which to live and work. Examples of Merton’s volunteers include a trustee, a school governor, a 14-year-old charity shop volunteer* and a virtual volunteer.

Merton Council and Merton Voluntary Service Council (MVSC) will be tweeting the volunteers’ stories throughout January and will include the hashtag #SAYV to enable everyone to get involved in the Shout about your volunteering conversation and share the value of volunteers’ work to Merton.

Chair of the Merton Partnership and Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “We have a successful partnership in Merton and are very strong on volunteering. Merton is lucky to be home to many talented people who give of their time and skills for the benefit of the community. We want to celebrate this and get more people involved in volunteering in Merton.”

MVSC Volunteering Strategy Programme Manager Hayley James said: “It has been inspiring meeting the people who give their time and make Merton the great borough that it is. The range of ways in which people can get involved is evident in these stories.”

Anyone interested in joining the campaign should contact hayley@mvsc.co.uk or call 020 8685 2272.

From 2 January, the gallery of Merton volunteers can be seen on http://www.mertonconnected.com and will also be available through Merton Council’s website http://www.merton.gov.uk

*Merton education welfare service can give further information about work permits to young people of school age. Call 020 8545 4021.

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