Latest news with #VolunteersWeek
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Eglinton Country Park celebrates Volunteers Week
Volunteers from the Veterans Group, Eglinton Park Path Stewards, Breaking Ground Horticulture, Ground Force Garden Group and the Friday Conservation Volunteers attended the event Eglinton Country Park alongside North Ayrshire Ranger Service celebrated Volunteers Week. Volunteers were invited to Eglinton Community Gardens on Wednesday, June 4 to enjoy a thank you breakfast as Park Countryside Rangers Linda and Graeme put on a lovely spread to share their thanks for everyone's ongoing commitment. Volunteers from the Veterans Group, Eglinton Park Path Stewards, Breaking Ground Horticulture, Ground Force Garden Group and the Friday Conservation Volunteers were all in attendance at the polytunnel hub in the heart of the local community gardens. In the past year the groups have volunteered a staggering 3,500 hours combined of volunteering to the local country park. Ranger Linda shared: "We're so grateful that we have such amazing volunteers whom we are lucky enough to work alongside here at Eglinton Country Park and Eglinton Community Gardens. "Each week I look forward to connecting with them all. Although all the groups are very different, they all share the same ethos of enjoying socialising outdoors, learning new skills, improving mental health through gardening and conservation and dedicating their own time selflessly to give back to their community. "We really appreciate the efforts of such incredible individuals and it was lovely to celebrate them during Volunteers Week." With volunteering happening most days of the week, the local country park offers a host of opportunities. Eglinton Park Path Stewards Group, a group of volunteers who help make the core pathways of Eglinton Park accessible for all, meets every Monday at stone shelter opposite the main carpark, from 9.30am until 12.30pm. Main focus of the group is on path maintenance, remedial works and erosion control. This is a facilitated group who are self-led during activity. On Tuesday's Breaking Ground Horticulture Group meets at Eglinton Community Gardens near blue bee cabin closest to Irvine/Kilwinning Rd entrance near bus stop from 9.30am until 12.30pm. It is a gentle gardening group for people to come together, make friends, learn about growing whilst being active in the outdoors and reap the benefits of connecting to nature. The group is led by a trained horticultural practitioner. Ground Force Gardening Group, a community garden group, meets every Thursday at blue bee cabin closest to Irvine/Kilwinning Rd entrance near bus stop, from 9.30am until 12.30pm. Ground Force is open to all members of the community. It is an active and fun group focussing on friendship, physical activity and growing. Led by North Ayrshire Ranger Service. Volunteers Group, a local biodiversity and Conservation focussed gardening group, meets every Friday at stone shelter opposite the main carpark, from 9.30am until 12.30pm. Group focuses on a range of tasks including practical conservation such as invasive species control and wildlife surveying, visitor management and supporting Eglinton Community Gardens. The group is led by North Ayrshire Ranger Service. One of the volunteers shared: "Coming to the Breaking Ground Group has really improved my confidence and I've made new friends here who have similar interests to me, so it has been a nice change of scenery." Another volunteer added: "I'm proud to volunteer to support the Ranger Service at Eglinton Country Park. It gives me something to look forward to and it is my way of giving back to the local community, while keeping my mind sharp!" Eglinton Park also used Volunteers Week to highlight the advantages of corporate volunteering as the team can also welcome local businesses to come along for team-building days. Henry Jamieson from land management company Bell Ingram recently attended with his team to do some corporate volunteering. He said: "Spending time outdoors at Eglinton Park allows you to disconnect from the usual office setting and enjoy fresh air, greenery, the calming effects of nature and being able to get your hands dirty in the process. Volunteering at a local park gives you a chance to connect with the community, make a visible impact, and support a shared public space that benefits everyone. "Whether planting trees, cleaning up trails, or just tidying up the gardens, you can see the tangible results of your work - which is deeply rewarding. "Bell Ingram have really enjoyed being able to contribute to the upkeep and improvement of a local recreational space that so many people and families enjoy. "It's a way to give back with purpose. Thanks for having us Eglinton Country Park." Councillor Alan Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Islands is also encouraging residents, visitors and local businesses to get involved. He said: "Volunteering outdoors is a fantastic way to feel part of your local community. Time spent in nature also has proven health and wellbeing benefits for all ages. "So, if you want to do your part for local biodiversity and conservation, meet new friends, learn practical skills and help us to make the park the best it can be, why not volunteer your time at one of Eglinton Country Park's weekly volunteering groups?" There will be a volunteering opportunity on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28. Ranger Service are enlisting volunteers for upcoming Himalayan Balsam clearing sessions. Each day will have three hands-on sessions and appropriate clothing and footwear for wet and muddy locations are advised. First session will take place between 10am until 11.30am, second session will be from 12 noon until 1.30pm and last session from 2pm until 3.30pm. The beautiful pink blooms of Himalayan Balsam were introduced as a garden plant back in 1839 but the plant soon escaped and invaded wet habitats, riverbanks and ditches near towns. This fast-growing species spreads quickly often at the expense of other native flowers, and with explosive seed pods, it spreads seeds down riverbanks causing further dispersal downstream. The sessions are recommended to adults over the age of 18, email: eglintoncountrypark@ to sign up for your preferred session or to get involved with weekly volunteering.
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
MS for Delyn provides several updates in this weeks column
MS for Delyn Last week in the Senedd, I paid tribute to those at the heart of our communities during Volunteers Week – volunteers, groups and organisers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Whether it's Mold Community Clubhouse & Gardens, hospital leagues of friends or Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw, their work matters and makes a difference – and, during Pride Month, let's also celebrate the people powering our local Pride events, such as the first ever Flint Pride last year and Prestatyn Pride last weekend. In the Senedd debate, I called on the Welsh Government to build on its support for volunteers not just with funding, but through creative partnerships that help more people get involved. You watch all my questions in the Senedd on my Facebook page at The NHS matters to us all. Last week in the Senedd I talked about the challenges that remain for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but also the positive progress that we are seeing being made – two-year waits are down by 67 per cent over the last three years, more than 12,000 patients have come off the two-year wait list and the new Llandudno orthopaedic hub is on track to make a difference when that opens later this year. This demonstrates the difference additional funding makes, thanks to having two Labour governments working together. But investment alone isn't enough, it also takes system change and that won't work without our incredible NHS workforce. That's why during a debate in the Senedd last week, I called for reassurance that staff on the ground will be fully supported and involved in shaping the improvements we all want to see. NHS staff are key to turning around the health board – I am hopeful that we are heading in the right direction, but of course there is a lot more work to do. It was a real pleasure last week to attend the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Community Awards ceremony on Thursday evening. The awards recognise individuals and organisations who are making a difference and making life better for victims, for communities and supporting the police in their work right across North Wales. It was especially lovely to see the work of Louise Rudd and Heather Williams and all the team at Walk & Talk Today in Ffynnongroyw rightly recognised in the Community Champion Award. A few years back now, I joined them at the opening of their first premises and, since then, I've seen them go from strength to strength, making a real and lasting difference to the village and surrounding area. Llongyfarchiadau Walk & Talk Today! Regular readers will know that I'm passionate about amplifying young people's voices – young people are truly the future of Wales and politicians aren't always good at listening to what they have to say. Here in Wales, we have the Welsh Youth Parliament which gives young people the chance to represent their communities from their own perspectives and recently I discovered a podcast entitled 'Get Informed and Get Involved', which has been made by the Youth Voice Network for Wales. If you like podcasts, it's worth a listen – the young presenters tackle how young people can navigate social media, how to tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation and give tips on how to get involved in democracy. I recently met with campaigners from the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid to discuss the urgent need to end the caged breeding of game birds in Wales. Every year, tens of thousands of pheasants and partridges are kept in tiny, wire-mesh cages and are denied the ability to move freely. There are currently no specific regulations protecting these birds and no routine inspections of game bird farms in Wales – despite public opposition and clear welfare concerns, progress has stalled for years. Residents from across my constituency have been in touch about this issue asking for real action. Wales must follow through on its commitments to animal welfare and ban cages for breeding game birds. Finally, I had the chance on Friday to visit Theatr Clwyd to see Tick, Tick… Boom, the first performance in the newly-transformed theatre which will run until June 28 – the venue is operating a phased return so that it could stay open longer during the building work. The transformation was made possible with support from Flintshire County Council, the Arts Council of Wales and £22m of Welsh Government funding and I have to say it's a stunning building which will continue to serve our communities here in North East Wales for many years to come – the new-look theatre, restaurant, community facilities and landscaped areas around it will make the theatre even more of an asset to our area. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
Western Telegraph
11-06-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Saundersfoot guide dog volunteer celebrates Lifetime award
Eva Rich, from Saundersfoot, received a Lifetime of Service award in an event in Cardiff coinciding with Volunteers Week. Andrew Lennox, Guide Dogs' chief executive, announced that Ms Rich has been a guide dog owner for 63 years with seven guide dogs throughout her life. The names of each dog were read out during the ceremony. Ms Rich revealed to the audience her anticipation of being paired with guide dog number eight, following the withdrawal of Nancy, a Labrador cross retriever. Pembrokeshire's collection box coordinator, Lynn Knibbs, accompanied Mrs Rich at the event, where they were presented with a bouquet, badge, commemorative plate imprinted with a guide dog image, as well as a certificate.
Cambrian News
08-06-2025
- Cambrian News
Gwynedd stalking victim honoured for advocacy work at North Wales awards
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, said: 'These awards shine a light on the people and organisations who consistently go above and beyond. Whether through supporting victims, guiding those at risk, or simply showing up when it matters most, their efforts strengthen our communities. I'm grateful for their commitment and care, especially as we celebrate national Volunteers Week across the UK. They truly make North Wales a better, safer place for all.'
South Wales Argus
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government celebrates community heroes in Newport
The Welsh Government recognised the vital work of volunteers, who have improved thousands of lives across Wales. About 27 per cent of people in Wales participate in formal volunteering with charities and organisations, with many more contributing informally. The Welsh Government has invested more than £4.6 million in volunteering initiatives since April 2022, enabling more than 419,000 hours of volunteering and training for 6,710 people across Wales. Jane Hutt MS, cabinet secretary for social justice visited Newport's St Giles Trust during Volunteers Week. The trust, which has received nearly £100,000 through the Welsh Government's Strategic Volunteering Grant, supports the 'Experts By Experience Wales' project, creating volunteering opportunities for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, poverty, violence, and exploitation. Anne-Marie Rogan, business development manager at St Giles Trust, said: "Our project aims to break down barriers for those with lived experience of adversity who want to volunteer. "We've created a self-assessment toolkit for employers across all sectors and developed a digital platform launching this month that will connect organisations with individuals seeking volunteering pathways. "This funding has been crucial in helping us drive meaningful change in how Wales approaches inclusive volunteering." At the end of Volunteers Week, MS Hutt said: "Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and Volunteers Week gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the impact volunteering has on individuals, organisations and communities across Wales. "While people give their time freely, we recognise they must be properly supported and safeguarded, which is why we remain committed to investing in people and our communities. "I thank each volunteer for their contribution and encourage everyone to continue supporting volunteering efforts that make our communities so much richer."
