PEOPLE are being asked for their views on volunteering and community involvement in Middlesbrough.
The survey – being carried out by Middlesbrough Council on behalf of Middlesbrough Volunteer Action Group – will help with the future development of services and volunteering opportunities.
Middlesbrough Council currently has more than 660 volunteers in its own volunteer support programme, ranging from those who contribute a few hours a month to those volunteering regularly – and is always on the look-out for new recruits.
Benefits of volunteering include:
- Learning new skills, getting to know new people, becoming more involved in the life of the town
- Gaining work experience and enhancing CVs
- Engaging in regular activity after ill health, long-term unemployment or retirement
- Giving something back to the community.
Middlesbrough Council Voluntary Sector Liaison Officer Sharon Barker
Sharon Barker said: “Volunteering makes a real difference to a wide range of organisations and the communities they serve, and the volunteers themselves gain a great deal.
“We are asking people who don’t volunteer to complete this survey as well as those that do.
“This survey will help us greatly in understanding why people don’t volunteer as well as learning about people’s experience of volunteering and how we can further develop local opportunities and partnerships.
“I’m delighted that more than 500 people have already taken the time to complete the survey so far, but we really need another 200 responses to be in order to validate this evidence.
“I urge anyone living in Middlesbrough to take part, and encourage their contacts to do the same – and as an incentive there’s a chance to win a High Street voucher!”
The deadline to complete the online survey is Friday, August 28 and all those taking part will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three shopping vouchers worth £50, £30 and £20.
To complete the survey, visit http://consult.middlesbrough.gov.uk/portal/cgd/volunteering_2015
For further information on volunteering in Middlesbrough contact Sharon Barker on 01642 729127 or email volunteering@middlesbrough.gov.uk or visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/volunteering