Bolton Council has marked Volunteers Week by celebrating all the unpaid heroes across the borough for their hard work and dedication.
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the incredible contribution made by volunteers and is a time to say a huge thank you.
Bolton has a fantastic track record of volunteering and the volunteer network helps residents to live safe and happy lives.
Among the many volunteers who go above and beyond to help others are the members of the Bolton Community Champions programme.
Set up a year ago, the scheme was designed to help break down communication barriers and get COVID-19 messages into the heart of communities.
There are now over 240 champions on board, working with the council and partners to give out information to local people on everything from mental health support to alcohol health advice and physical activity initiatives.
One of the valued Community Champions, Craig Henderson, signed up to be a champion to help his community and give them support when they need it.
As a local hair professional, Craig sees people daily and thinks the power of the barber’s chair is unique.
“I love every moment of being a champion as it doesn’t cost anything to be a nice person and it makes a difference to people’s lives – could even save a life!
People confide in Craig which gives him the opportunity to help signpost them to support in their time of need.
He also trained as one of the Alcohol Health Champions to give specialist support to people with alcohol problems.
Craig said: “I love every moment of being a champion as it doesn’t cost anything to be a nice person and it makes a difference to people’s lives – could even save a life!
“If you can give one hour of your day to make a difference to someone in the community, be that doing their shopping or listening to someone with poor mental health, that is all it needs.
“It means the world to me that I can help my local community. If that means just lending an empathic ear or giving people that release. Knowing that I can take away one stress - it makes their life a little better.”
Celebrating volunteers like Craig is what this week is all about and working together with local people is vital.
Bolton’s Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Cllr Mudasir Dean said:
“We are thankful all year round for our volunteers, but this week is a special time to be able to put the focus on them and their hard work.
“These local heroes help our residents to live the best life they possibly can and it not only helps them but has been shown to help improve the wellbeing of volunteers too.
“I would like to give a sincere thank you to all of the volunteers across Bolton, for the effort you put into helping others and the many hours you give of your own time. The difference you make is enormous.”
To get involved in volunteering and become a Community Champion visit www.bolton.gov.uk/communitychampions