Volunteers across Northumberland are being celebrated as part of the national Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June). 
 

Throughout the last 12 months volunteers have been at the heart of the county’s response to the Covid pandemic. 

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event and is a time to recognise and thank volunteers.  
 

Northumberland County Council launched a new initiative Northumberland Communities Together (NCT) to support residents with the help of our voluntary and community groups during this most unprecedented time.  
 

During the week the council is working with a number of partners including local infrastructure charity, Northumberland Community Voluntary Action (CVA) to encourage businesses and residents to recognise the volunteers who have helped in their community during the last 12 months and to thank those who usually volunteer but have not been able to do so because of the pandemic.   
 

A drop-in event will also be held at the newly opened The Hub at Cramlingtonon Fri, June 4 from 11am-1pm where people can find out more about how to get involved in volunteering. A number of community organisations including Northumberland CVA will be on hand to give people advice and information on how they can be a volunteer.  
 

People are also encouraged to get involved in The Big Lunch, a national event organised by the Eden Project and supported by The National Lottery and Iceland and The Food Warehouse. Throughout June communities and neighbours are encouraged to host a “Big Lunch” whether it’s online, or across the fence to help communities to reconnect.  
 

Cllr Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for Adults Wellbeing at Northumberland County Council, said “Working together with the voluntary and community sector across Northumberland has been a privilege and has strengthened the support we are all able to offer our communities. 

“We, along with our partners have been astounded by the influx of interest from people from all sections of our communities who have offered their support and given their time to help others during the pandemic. It has been a heartening experience and we are truly grateful for the many offers of support as well as the continued support of the volunteers that have been with us for many years, even if they have been unable to actively volunteer during the crisis. 

“We would like to thank all those registered as volunteers with us, as well as the many voluntary and community groups throughout Northumberland who, along with their volunteers, have supported communities across the county and we look forward to continuing working with them all in the future.” 
 

For Volunteers’ Week this year, NCT and Northumberland CVA are working in partnership to help raise public awareness of Volunteers’ Week 2021 and the opportunity it gives to celebrate volunteers across the county. 
 

Anne Lyall, CEO of Northumberland CVA, said, “During Volunteers’ Week, you can give your thanks in the same way to the volunteers who have kept our communities going by delivering food parcels, collecting prescriptions or ferrying vulnerable people to hospital and GP appointments, as well as to all those volunteers who have given their time to making sure the vaccination programme operates well. 

“Whether you’re a resident, local business or community group, you can download one of our ‘Volunteers’ Week: Time to Say Thanks’ posters to display prominently in your window or on notice boards during the week 1 – 7 June. If you don’t have a colour printer, just email us or call us on 01670 858668 and we’ll send a poster to you. 

“If you’re planning a celebration to thank the volunteers in your own communities, please let us know what you have planned and we’ll be happy to feature it on website and in our special Volunteers’ Week e-bulletins. Just email us at the same address and tell us what you have planned.” 
 

You can download a poster to show your support here. If you’d like a poster sent out to you, email: enquires@northumberlandcva.org.uk or call Northumberland CVA on 01670 858688.