As a councillor, you certainly see how much of a role volunteers play in the life of the city. Our volunteers range from churchwardens, Friends of the Hospital, members of the Civic Trust or Rotary Clubs, volunteer litter pickers and many other different ways in which people give their time freely. The city would certainly be a poorer place without them – and in reality just wouldn’t be able to function in the same way.

Last month saw the launch of a new volunteering initiative in the City – Engage in Gloucester. There is an easy to use website which lists volunteering challenges for our Heritage, Arts and Cultural sector. With the many projects in the city bringing our rich heritage to the fore and Gloucester undergoing something of a cultural renaissance, this will be a growing area for community involvement.

Allowing people to participate flexibly and easily

Tasks could just take a few minutes, a few hours or the odd day, can be done by families together or even company teams, as well as the traditional volunteering roles for those who want to give their time more regularly. It allows people to participate flexibly and easily, dipping in and out of volunteer challenges or making a longer commitment as they are able.

There are some fantastic challenges on there from following organisations on social media, helping with the welcome at the Cathedral and tending the garden at St Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street, to sprucing up the dredger at the Waterways Museum.

Volunteering has so many benefits

Volunteering has so many benefits for those giving their time, from building up skills and experience, meeting new people, sampling different workplaces and roles, to getting the chance to see or work with things very few people ever get the chance to do.

For organisations, having volunteers allows them to expand their operations, develop new services and better engage with their communities. The site EngageinGloucester.Volunteermakers.org is easy to navigate and contains all sorts of volunteer opportunities for all kinds of people.

So whether you have just a few minutes, a few hours or more time to give, have a look and see what challenge you could undertake. Who knows where it may lead you, and you would be playing your part in helping to make Gloucester an even better place!