Volunteering Celebration Event

On Wednesday 14th March, HIP was invited to attend a volunteering celebration event at Chester Racecourse. Maggie Allan and Linda Sant from the HIP team attended this wonderful event, which celebrated the power of the volunteer.

On Wednesday 14th March, Chester and Cheshire West Council hosted a Volunteering Celebration event at Chester Racecourse. This was an event to celebrate volunteers across the county and to reward them with a host of relaxing and fun activities to do during that lovely Wednesday afternoon.

Upon signing in to the event at 4pm, volunteers and the HIP team were greeted by a wonderful choir, who opened up the event. Whilst listening to the choir, volunteers had the opportunity to sign up to a whole host of different activities to enjoy that afternoon. The activities included meditation and crafts workshops; massages; healthy-eating advice stands, and equally having the chance to chat to different volunteers, and hear about the work they do in Cheshire.

After having an hour to enjoy various activities lasting from 20 to 45 minutes each, everyone was invited to take a seat to listen to Chester City Training Band perform. Between songs performed by Chester City Training Band, speeches were made by Chester's Lord Mayor, Louise Gittins (Deputy Leader of CWaC), and a CATH (Chester Aid to the Homeless) volunteer. All speeches were thanking volunteers for their hard work, and emphasised the real importance of volunteers to our communities.

Once the speeches were finished, all the volunteers were invited to enjoy a hot drink and cake before partaking in the last workshops of the day. The last activities on offer consisted of a singing or a story telling workshop.

After the refreshments had been consumed, many volunteers either started to head towards home, or to their last activities of the day.

The event was a truly wonderful way to celebrate volunteers across Cheshire. It was great in allowing us to show our appreciation of them and to give back for all the hard work they dedicate to improving and nourishing our communities.

HIP wouldn't be where it is today without the help of its volunteers, and we were very grateful to have the opportunity to give something back to them, and to show them how valuable they are to us.

If you would like to volunteer for HIP in Cheshire, please contact the HIP team on 01244-650522, or info@hipincheshire.org.uk.

By Maggie Allan.