Volunteer in the New Year!

JANUARY is traditionally a time to make resolutions for the year ahead, but instead of resolving to change careers or get fit, local groups and charities are asking the people of Melksham to think of others and see if they could offer a helping hand.  

Whether you have some free time to help serve lunch, give a helping hand at one of the town’s popular annual events, support local groups to fundraise, or answer the phone calls from the most vulnerable and isolated in Melksham, there are plenty of ways to give back to your neighbourhood and show just how strong the community spirit is in the town.   

“Volunteering can encompass so many things and tick so many feel-good boxes,” says mayor cllr Jon Hubbard. “The New Year is often seen as the time for making a fresh start or finding new challenges. Why not look at one of the many volunteering opportunities that exist in our community?”

During the early days of the pandemic, many people volunteered to help during the crisis, including people who were on furlough from their work and had some spare time. However, workers have since trickled back to the office and some elderly volunteers did not return because of health concerns. 

And whilst Melksham’s community spirit continued to shine bright in 2021, there are a wide range of local organisations looking for your help.

These include Melksham Community Support; Melksham Rotary and Lions clubs; 4Youth (South West) – the group which runs the Canberra Centre; the Carnival and Food and River Festival; Melksham Community Meals; King George V junior parkrun; Melksham Free Lunch Club (formerly Melksham Community Free Dining) and Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG).

Here is a rundown of some of the help that is required locally.

Melksham Community Support 

Melksham Community Support, the local service that was set up in early 2020 in response to the pandemic to help vulnerable and isolated residents, is looking for volunteers to join their ‘telephone team’. 

“As well as the amazing volunteers who collect and deliver for us we have an outstanding team of volunteers who run the phone lines and manage the support requests we receive,” explains a spokesperson for the service. 

“Each afternoon for three hours, one of these heroes will deal with phone messages left by service users and put out the shouts on WhatsApp, asking for volunteers and then arranging the job. 

“We are looking for a couple of people to join this team. The good news is that if you have a computer you can do the job from home, or alternatively you can come into the Canberra Centre and use our facilities here. 

“If this is something that might interest you, please give us a call on 01225 809265 or email support@melkshamcommuity.co.uk.”

Melksham Rotary Club  

Rotary is looking for new members to become part of the worldwide family of Rotary, working for the community around the Melksham area and supporting international projects across the world. 

President of Melksham Rotary, Ruth Fivash said, “Rotary has no age barrier, and is open to all. In non-Covid times we would meet twice a month on a Tuesday, but with Covid, we have been meeting online. Moving forward we hope to combine face-to-face meetings with online membership. 

“Our project ideas are generated by members, so if you have a secret project that would make a difference to the environment or people’s lives here or abroad, but not the means, Rotary could be your answer with help and people to make it happen. 

“I would encourage people seeking a new challenge to look at the Melksham Rotary website for contact details as well as the Rotary International site to get a feel of what is possible.”

To find out more, visit the website: http://melkshamrotary.org

Melksham Carnival 

After being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Melksham Carnival is planning its 2022 return, but they need your help! 

“Melksham Carnival committee are still in regular contact, as a team, and window shopping as far as plans are concerned for Melksham Carnival 2022,” said Beth Dark on behalf of the carnival committee. 

“We managed to hold our ever popular ‘Spot the Oddity’ competition, a stall at Melksham Food and River Festival and a stall at the Christmas lights event. We are always in the need for extra hands, and as much as the core committee is an amazing set of individuals, we always hope for extra people who can turn their hands to anything on carnival day itself.  

“Marshals, walkers, bucketeers, and judges are some of the many jobs which we need help with. It’s a very full day, but the elation of a job well done, and the epic feeling of community spirit, is absolutely brilliant.  

“If you want to do something in the new year to enhance the lives of your local families, please consider volunteering. It’s so rewarding and I’m absolutely positive that you would be welcomed with open arms.” 

For more information, visit the Melksham Carnival Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MelkshamCarnival

4Youth (South West)

“We are always looking for volunteers to support our work at the youth centre, not just with the youth clubs but also with building maintenance and the office administration,” said Chair of the Trustees Jon Hubbard. Call 01225 667327 or email: hello@4youth.org.uk

Melksham Community Meals

Melksham Community Meals, which runs a Sunday lunch service at the Assembly Hall is always looking for volunteers, more so now than ever. 

“Volunteering is such a rewarding thing to do both for our community, but also for you, the volunteer,” explains chair of Melksham Community Meals, Sue Mortimer. “This became very much apparent during lockdown as the feedback that people were missing the Community Meals in lockdown came not only from the users, but also from the staff and volunteers alike.  

“My experience of lockdown also opened my eyes. Yes, I have always been community minded; 

Yes, I have always wanted to help people; yes, it has always given me pleasure to see people smile. But lockdown made me realise that my volunteering helps me as much as anyone.  

“It gives me a purpose and structure to help plan my day/week, which helps get the mundane things factored into my life. I was just not me, I felt like a different person during lockdown without my volunteer roles to look forward to and I am so grateful to be back.  

“So those that are thinking about volunteering, please make contact and we will discuss your options. It doesn’t have to be for a whole session, it doesn’t have to be every week, any time you give will be much appreciated.  

“In the first instance please ring/text me on mobile 07719 935 883 or call 01225 899152.”

King George V junior parkrun 

The King George V junior parkrun takes place every Sunday at 9am, and volunteers are always needed to help out for various roles.   

“Volunteers are needed from about 8.30am to 9.45am to help with many different roles,” explains a spokesperson for King George V junior parkrun, “Marshals, timekeepers, bar scanning and help with warm up exercises to name just a few.  

“Your age doesn’t need to be a barrier to volunteering – we have volunteers between the ages of 8 and 80! If you are thinking of volunteering, just do it. I guarantee the smiles and enthusiasm from the children taking part (aged between 4 and 14 years) and seeing them as they cross the finish line will warm your heart, and you will look forward to getting up and out on future Sunday mornings, I know I do. 

“If this is something you might be able to help out at, why not come and see us on a Sunday morning – just make yourself known to any of the amazing team of volunteers we already have, (we are the ones wearing high-viz) who will welcome you with open arms and point you in the direction of Kate, our lovely volunteer coordinator. Alternatively, you can register your interest on the junior parkrun Facebook page. Look forward to seeing you in the New Year!” 

For more information, visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kgvjuniorparkrun

Melksham Lions Club

“We have been very encouraged this year by the numbers of volunteers wanting to help with our Christmas collections, something we have not experienced before despite requests in the Melksham News and on Facebook in recent years,” said Melksham Lions Club’s membership officer, Simon White. “Quite a few have expressed an interest in joining us, I really hope that they will. 

“As a child I helped my parents raise funds for the church and Warminster Rotary Club where my father was a member. So, when I was invited to join the start-up of the Melksham Lions Club in 1974, I didn’t hesitate, as it was a natural progression to follow in my parents’ footsteps.   

“Now 47 years on, I can tell you that I have made many friends in Lions Clubs in the area and many more in the local community. As you know, Melksham is a very friendly community-minded town. I can assure you that being a member of this club has been a very fulfilling, rewarding experience that changed my life. It has given me a lot of pleasure being able to help those in our lovely community, I would thoroughly recommend it. 

“So if you’re thinking of joining us and having some fun, come along to see if you like what we do and how we do it, you will be very welcome. We are a friendly, lively bunch who want to increase our presence in the community and we have plans to just do that, but we need your help to do so. 

“We meet at the Kings Arms Hotel on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm and would love to see you. You can also contact us on 0345 833 7401 or via the website: www.melkhamlions.org.uk 

“Melksham Lions Club would like to say a very big thank you to all those volunteers that turned out in the cold to help us this year – we are very grateful.” 

Melksham Free Lunch Club (formerly Melksham Community Free Dining) 

Melksham Free Lunch Club was a new dining initiative launched last year for residents in Melksham and Melksham Without parish, offering free lunches every Wednesday at Bowerhill Village Hall. 

Volunteers have been praised for the successful launch of the service, but more are needed to help it continue to grow. 

“With the bells from New Year still ringing in our ears and our determined resolutions written on a scrap of paper now pinned to the fridge door, have we added ‘must volunteer’?” asks Louisa Lewis from Melksham Free Lunch Club. “Volunteering gives hope to others, puts smiles on faces and there is no doubt that it brings about real change to people’s lives. 

“Our dedicated group of volunteers at Melksham Free Lunch Club at Bowerhill Village Hall, have seen it first-hand for themselves. We marvel at the generosity of others and the way our diners have reached out to each other in warm friendship. We just don’t eat together, we sing together, play together, laugh together and most importantly care for each other.    

“This small dining group is evolving into its own community hub where problems are both resolved and shared. But without volunteers, without people who really care, this project would never have survived. 

“Volunteers are the lifeline of all charitable projects and thankfully there are many volunteers in Melksham and Melksham Without parish, but we always need more.  

“The question ‘why do people volunteer?’ is often asked. The answer quite simply is because in volunteering, they find a new and worthwhile purpose. They develop new relationships and become part of another family, playing an ever increasing role in keeping our community together.   

“The Melksham Free Lunch Club charity is passionate about bringing together residents that have for too long, been locked behind closed doors without a hug in sight. We are passionate about working with community coordinators to help resolve their problems and give them a better quality of life.  

“We are passionate about extending our Free Dining in 2022 and we know that our outstanding group of volunteers all have that same passion. Volunteering is a two-way street – an amazing way of enhancing your life and at the same time enhancing others.” 

If you would like more information on volunteering for the Melksham Free Lunch Club, phone Louisa on 01225 374232.

Melksham Food and River Festival 

The Melksham Food and River Festival, which saw record numbers attend in 2021, is already planning ahead for this summer’s event and is looking for help. 

“The committee is looking forward to the Festival in 2022,” said Adrienne Westbrook on behalf of the committee. “The first weekend of September has been booked for the event. 

“The Festival is organised by a small group of people; however, we are always keen to offer residents of Melksham the chance to get involved.  

“We are particularly looking for some help with production of leaflets and publicity material. If you wish to get involved please contact me on 07595 420021 to have a chat. 

“We also need lots of marshalling help over the weekend, so we are always keen to have names of people willing to help out for a few hours.” 

Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG)

Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG), is looking for new volunteers to join their committee to help support their ongoing and award-winning work in the community. 

They need a chairman, vice chair and secretary in order to start to form a committee.

Best known for their picnic area, which is located next to the Kennet & Avon Canal, regular litter picks, and their maintenance of the footpath allowing access between Bowerhill and the canal, the group are also passionate campaigners and have played key roles in discussions about new housing developments that could impact the village. 

For more details about BRAG and becoming a member, contact Mark Harris by email: mark.harris@blueyonder.co.uk

Are you involved in a local group? Do you need volunteers? Email news@melkshamnews.co.uk or call 01225 704761 and we will be happy to publicise your organisation.