During Volunteers’ Week(external link), the Council is encouraging people to spread some Calderdale kindness and take up a volunteering role, including the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of the Year of Culture 2024(external link).
Volunteers’ Week (Monday 3 – Saturday 8 June) is a national celebration of the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities, and aims to inspire more people to make a difference.
It aligns with The Big Help Out(external link), which aims to raise awareness of volunteering throughout the UK, provide opportunities for people to experience it for themselves and bring communities together.
This year, over 700 volunteers have supported Council services, contributing over 22,000 hours of their own time. There are more than 1,500 organisations in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector in Calderdale, with over 13,500 volunteers.
There are so many ways to volunteer in Calderdale – visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/jobs/volunteering and VSI Alliance(external link) to find your perfect role.
The Council is holding a celebration event at Bankfield Museum in Halifax on Monday 3 June to thank its volunteers and present long service awards.
New for 2024, the CultureDale volunteer programme is giving local people lots of opportunities to get involved in the Year of Culture – Calderdale’s biggest ever celebration of culture to mark its 50th birthday.
CultureDale volunteering roles include stewarding at events, helping to deliver creative workshops, spreading the word about CultureDale, promoting opportunities and supporting disabled people, their families and carers to access events. The Access Champions role was created in response to a suggestion made as part of the CultureDale team’s work with Visits Unlimited (a social enterprise led by people with lived experience of disability) to ensure everyone can access and enjoy the Year of Culture.
Full details of all the roles can be found at www.culturedale.co.uk/volunteers(external link)
Since the CultureDale volunteer programme launched in April 2024, more than 40 people have signed up to be volunteers, aged between 14 and 80.
Jill Bottomley loves being a CultureDale volunteer and says:
“It’s helping me to meet new people in Calderdale and reconnect with some old friends. We’ve had great fun at all the events so far.
“The volunteers are really well looked after by the team and I can’t wait to introduce more people to the fantastic events planned for the coming year.
“I feel very proud to be a resident of Calderdale and a volunteer for CultureDale.”
For Kirsty McDonald, being a CultureDale volunteer is a rewarding experience. She says:
“Knowing you are helping others enjoy a day out or find their way around all the events gives a sense of purpose and achievement.
“I personally love the creative side of volunteering, especially with the activities for tinkering, making and crafts.
“The CultureDale team is really flexible in terms of how much time you can offer. I have found opportunities have arisen and I am extending my friendship circles.
“All I would recommend is give it a go and open yourself up to something new to ‘feed the soul’.”
Cllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said:
“Volunteers’ Week 2024 is extra special because it’s the 40th year it has been celebrated nationally, and it’s in Calderdale’s 50th anniversary year.
“We are lucky to have such kind communities and so many amazing volunteers in Calderdale. They play an important role in supporting the Council and making life better for local people, and it’s an enriching experience for the volunteers too. Take a look at the opportunities available and see what difference you could make.”
Cllr Danielle Durrans, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and communities, added:
“Our Year of Culture is a huge programme of events, activities, performances and more, and we couldn’t deliver a celebration of this scale without the support of our incredible CultureDale volunteers.
“This is a unique opportunity to contribute your talent and creativity, learn new skills, get involved behind the scenes of our Year of Culture, and make history by being part of Calderdale’s exciting golden anniversary celebrations.”
Watch the Council’s volunteering films:
Volunteers’ Week(external link)
CultureDale volunteer programme(external link)
Volunteering supports the Vision 2024 for Calderdale themes of kindness and talent. Calderdale reached its 50th anniversary on 1 April 2024. This is the ultimate year for the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. Find out more about it here: www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
The Year of Culture (CultureDale(external link)) programme features locally-created events, festivals, exhibitions, performances and initiatives for everyone to enjoy from April 2024 to April 2025. It is funded by Calderdale Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.