Calling all of Rotherham’s everyday heroes – your community needs you to
help us to support vulnerable people across the borough during the
COVID-19 outbreak.
Rotherham Council has established the Rotherham Community Hub with
Voluntary Action Rotherham and the Rotherham Together Partnership to
coordinate the Rotherham Heroes Volunteer Programme.
From today, we will be registering individuals, organisations, clubs and
businesses who want to volunteer. The programme will match volunteers
and established groups to those people in need of help. Rotherham Heroes
will support the government and statutory agencies to make sure that as
many vulnerable individuals as possible get the right level of help, and
that those volunteering get the information and advice that they need to
operate safely and effectively.
The second phase of the campaign will follow shortly afterwards and will
be a call out to residents to let us know if they need help. This could
be help with shopping for essentials, pharmacy pick-ups, dog walking or
simply having someone to talk to.
Rotherham Council’s Chief Executive, Sharon Kemp, said: “We are very
proud to launch the Rotherham Heroes Volunteer Programme so that people
who want to help and those who need support can do so safely in a
co-ordinated way.”
Rotherham Council’s Council Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “It is in the
DNA of the people of Rotherham to want to help in times of need and it
isn’t surprising that people are already asking what they can do to
help. The Rotherham Heroes programme will provide the organisation and
structure required to deliver the best response our community can as we
continue to rally round and support each other over the coming weeks and
months.
“By becoming a Rotherham Heroes Volunteer, you will be making a real
difference to people’s lives, especially the most isolated and those
needing a little extra support.
“Everyone will want to ensure that we all stay safe. Volunteering to
help vulnerable people in our community is permitted within the
Government “stay at home” guidance so long as volunteers still maintain
social distancing and follow the guidelines. The Council will be
ensuring that all those taking part have all the information and advice
that they need.”
After registering, volunteers will be matched with local groups and
residents requiring support. People, community groups or businesses who
are interested in volunteering in their local areas can do so by signing
up online or by calling 01709 807319
Register online today [1]
Links:
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[1] http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/volunteer