It’s #VolunteersWeek! And we have more volunteering stories to make you smile while you work.

Remember to tune into BBC Wiltshire’s mid-morning show (10 – 2) every day this week for stories about Wiltshire’s brilliant volunteers who make a difference in our communities! We are sure you will join us in saying a very BIG THANK YOU to all of the volunteers across the county, especially during these challenging times.

Day 2 Tuesday 

Rachel spoke with volunteers Nicola, Vice Chair of Trowbridge LINK,  Hayley Blackmore (21) and Marley (23). They were brilliant, a real boost for LINK and I know personally that their story has inspired others to volunteer in the future – Nicola has already had a new volunteer enquire about the recruitment process and how they can help.

Day 3 Wednesday

Rachel chatted with  Dave Shepphard from Ashton Keynes. Dave is the Chair and an ambassador for all things village life in Ashton Keynes. He has been central to the crisis team supporting the community during covid and is instrumental to the running of the hall and it’s robust activity programme throughout the year 

Day 4 Thursday

Rachel spoke to two wonderful Wiltshire women! Stevie and Karen. Stevie has volunteered since she was 14 and has been involved with Community First since 2009. We are so grateful to them both for their gifts of time. Stevie has been involved in many of Community First’s  projects including; The Young Listeners Project, A Dementia and Domiciliary Care listening project, Community Organiser training, Community Led projects, Macmillan Cancer Connections and Wiltshire’s new Community Voice group which represents community voices from across Wiltshire (she was a founding member of this through the Cancer connections project)

Karen works in Corsham and set up a community lunch club open to EVERYONE. She got frustrated when she noticed that everywhere was offering things for people for specific illnesses/problems and challenges; but she wanted something that absolutely anyone could go to.

Karen has been linking up cross county with Stevie to support the wider community and it was great to see them both on the show together! People who attend the community club love her very much, he has up to 21 people attending the group (Prior to lockdown) and still keeps in touch with them despite the club not running currently

Day 4 Friday

Today Rachel spoke to Rachel, Lou and Robert from Salisbury Cancer Support . These amazing people were such a great end to this fab week of broadcast. The group formed a year ago and has grown in many ways…These wonderful volunteers don’t just give the gift of their time, love and understanding but they give it to ANYONE in Wiltshire who is affected or has been affected by cancer.

If you have missed any of this week’s radio shows please download the BBC Sounds app or visit:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08dpfkx