Jo supports Volunteers Week with Friendship Circle

4.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st May 2006

Volunteers Week runs from 1st to 7th June 2006

Jo Swinson MP has shown her support for Volunteers Week by giving up her time to help at Friendship Circle in Milngavie.

Every Wednesday, the group of 25 elderly, housebound people making up Friendship Circle meets in Milngavie Town Hall for games, lunch and entertainment. The club needs around 6 regular volunteers to run the meetings, which they draw from a pool of 40 local people.

Volunteers Week runs from 1-7 June and is intended to encourage people to offer their time to help others.

Following the Friendship Circle meeting, Jo said:

"Friendship Circle provides a way for elderly people to socialise together where they would otherwise be confined to their homes. Speaking to the members of the club, it was clear that they benefit enormously from being able to get out and about, play games, see entertainment and just chat to friends.

"The club is only possible because of the volunteers who are willing to give up their time to make it happen. Volunteers Week is a great way to put the spotlight on volunteers that keep local groups like Friendship Circle running - to say thank you and to encourage others to give up some of their time to voluntary causes as well."

Julia Campbell, Senior Volunteer Adviser at the Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire, commented:

"Volunteer Centres throughout Scotland are running various activities for Volunteers Week this year; the week for recognising the enormous contribution made by volunteers for the benefit of others in the community.

"The motto for Volunteers Week is 'Recruit, Reward and Recognise', and the Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire this year was delighted to be approached by Jo Swinson, our local MP, to take part in Volunteers Week by helping out at Friendship Circle in Milngavie."

The Volunteer Centre is also running a Recruitment Fair in the Regent Centre in Kirkintilloch on Friday and Saturday 2nd and 3rd June to encourage new volunteers. Anyone who wishes to find out more about volunteering can contact the Volunteer Centre on 0141 578 6680 or visit the website www.volunteerscotland.org.uk for a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Related Link:

Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire