Category — Matthew's blog

“The ‘Big Society’ has now arrived but six months ago we started work on recognising volunteering”

It was actually a couple of years ago that, in opposition, I criticised in committee the then Labour Administration in Staffordshire for not properly recognising or promoting the role of volunteers.

That could be someone who does their bit for the scouts, or at a Sunday morning kids’ football match, or people that pay friendship visits to those in hospital or individuals that support bigger charities like Age UK or Mencap or many others.

In fact anyone that gives back to society, something for nothing. There are already millions of people across the country who volunteer and many of those don’t even think of it as volunteering… it’s just what they do.

And just before Christmas last year my colleague, Ben Adams, who is Staffordshire’s Cabinet Member for Communities kicked off work on the countywide campaign to highlight the good volunteering work which is ongoing and find better ways to support and get even more people actively involved.

That work has resulted in Volunteer Staffordshire.  It brings together information on thousands of volunteering opportunities, offers advice on where and how to get involved and will recognise formally those individuals or groups who who go that extra mile to give something back as well as celebrating everyone who volunteers, no matter how small or infrequently.

It will also be the conduit for a new Staffordshire Award which will be akin to the national Honours but specifically for individuals that have done something in the voluntary sector here which is unique and benefits people right across the county.

The latter Award will not be given easily and they will be few and far between recognising a uniquely important contribution to Staffordshire life. But whatever level of volunteering if you know someone who helps out for the good of others, even if it’s nowhere near the level required for the Staffordshire Award, you can nominate them for recognition here.

Click here to comment on this post

Many more volunteers and loads more voluntary organisations and now a fully functioning LINk…

It was last December when I made the decision that Staffordshire LINk wasn’t working and so a fresh start was needed.

The Staffordshire Local Involvement Network is a voluntary group, funded by the County, which monitors and advises on health and social care services. It’s work is important and should be valuable.

It was established, as part of nationwide legislation, under the previous County Administration and although the volunteers involved had worked tremendously hard the support contracted externally by the County was not working meaning the LINk was less effective than it should have been.

We brought the support for LINk back into my Department and delighted that since then it has literally been transformed beyond belief. Excellent work being undertaken and far greater and wider engagement with Staffordshire people and voluntary organisations means it’s time for the next step.

That next step is ensuring greater independence by developing a social enterprise meaning Staffordshire LINk will be an entity in its own right and free from any interference in the future.

That work is now underway and I’m pleased the decision I made in December, which was considered controversial by many back then, has turned out to be the right one.

You can learn more about Staffordshire LINk or get involved here.

Click here to comment on this post

These volunteers give up so much of their time to help others in life and death situations…

Tame community first responders were established about a year ago to cover the rural areas around Tamworth and the town itself.

A group of volunteers who are trained to very near paramedic standards, they are there to support the ambulance service and being community based can get to emergencies and incidents much faster than their fully qualified colleagues.

Fundraising firmly underway to pay for their specially kitted out vehicle

They are not in any way there to replace the main ambulance service but that faster response time can be crucial and life saving in some medical emergencies.

I’ve supported the group from my County Members’ funding scheme a couple of times because as well as doing an amazing job they actually pay for much of the equipment from their own pockets as they don’t get any financial help, only advice and training, from the ambulance service.

A dedicated bunch of people, as well as being at the heart of life and death situations they are on strict and regular rotas so there is cover the whole time but no chance of dodging a shift because they don’t fancy it.

But with that responsibility comes great satisfaction and enthusiasm for what they do. And they’ve recently forked out for a replacement vehicle which is far better fitted out than the first one that the group started with.

So fundraising is now well underway because it is the group members who have underwritten the cost. I’ll be actively looking for further funding to help them out because rural areas around Tamworth receive much faster emergency medical cover because of their dedication.

Just a few pounds will help so if you can support them with a small donation you can find out how here.

Click here to comment on this post

Absolutely packed when I got to Drayton Bassett for their annual summer fair…

It’s been going for a few years now as part of the growing number of events organised by a community group in the village known as the VEGs (village entertainment group).

Always busy, a combination of the nice weather and a growing show saw even more people turn out this year. The, now, traditional welly-wanging, Morris Dancers, loads of stalls, pigeon racing, animal displays and traditional rural activities were enjoyed by over a thousand people.

Excellent community spirit from Drayton Bassett people and valuable funds raised to help with future events and local organisations.

Click here to comment on this post