United in Kind coach talks to Gateway about the joy of volunteering

The Covid-19 pandemic may have shut shops, kept families apart and stopped events but the community of Essex has gone the extra mile to look out for one another in all parts of the county during the lockdown.

This Volunteers’ Week, running from 1^st June to 7^th June, Essex County Council would like to thank the residents of Essex who signed up in lockdown to help others in their time of need. 

Essex residents responded quickly when The Essex Welfare Service, commissioned by Essex County Council and delivered by local community interest company Provide, called for willing volunteers. The welfare service’s website enables members of the public to sign up as a volunteer and for those without the support of family, friends or neighbours to request support. 

Ros spoke to Ali Perrott, a Basildon United in Kind coach about the joy of volunteering:

As the lockdown eases Essex County Council is calling out to anyone feeling isolated or in need of some extra help to come forward, so they can be helped by one of the Essex Welfare Service’s army of willing volunteers. 

The service is now assisting people of all ages and circumstances whatever their need – from a telephone chat to keep someone company or arranging delivery of food or medicines, to more individual help for people with disabilities, dementia, sensory loss or health conditions.

To seek support for yourself or someone you know see www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk/ or to find out more about United in Kind see https://www.unitedinkind.org/