Page 7 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • June 2003
A special week to recognise and Carers are all around us
recruit volunteers This year the focus of Carers Week, 9 to 15 June is on 'Opportunities
for Carers' and there are certainly plenty of opportunities available
A good service is guaranteed from Swindon's award winning volun- through the local Princess Royal Trust Carers' Centre in Swindon,
teer bureau team to anybody offering their time and commitment writes its director Gillian Barber
during National Volunteers Week, from Monday 2 June to Friday 6 Known as FOCUS —._"
June, and throughout the year. our local carers' organi- ` #
In April, Swindon Vol- sation is based in > . .
unteers received an Out- Morley Street in the
standing Achievement town centre and pro-
Award at this year's Vol- - vides a wide range or
unteer Development support, information,
England conference for ^l'Y #,: +E activities and social out-
achieving full marks in ings for Swindon's '
its Quality Accredita- carers. I `
tion. . ., Carers are the (un- –
Swindon Volunteers paid) people who spend
manager Sarah Codd time looking after a rela- r '`
said the week is an op- tive, friend or neigh- ^^ "s
portunity to celebrate bour who has an illness,
the unpaid help that including mental illness, disabil- • offering carers free day passes
keeps many charities t( ity or frailty. to local health clubs;
and voluntary organisa- Delivering quality, fiom lift, Prim Olis, Millen- FOCUS staff have arranged a • launching the BBC Ring Around
tions going. "Over 22 nium Volunteers project worker; Sarah Codd, man- variety of events both for the ben- Carers contact service;
million adults are in- ager, Swindon Volunteers, Alex Mullins, Swindon efit of carers and to draw attention • details of learning opportunities
Volunteers outreach worker; Kaye Franklin, chair of
y
volved in formal volun- to the importance of their role in the have available.
Swindon Volunteers; Josie Maskelyne, Millennium
teering in the UK every Volunteers Project Worker society – highlighting areas such Cream teas in West Swindon
year and we want to pay as employment (or returning to One carer living in Nine Elms, who
tribute to their invaluable contri- bitesize introduction courses. employment) leisure and learning, has strong links with FOCUS, is
bution. Without their commitment, Come along to meet us and talk and includes: hosting a relaxed afternoon of chat
there would be a far reaching im- about volunteering, learn about • information displays at the new and cream tea for other carers on
pact on public services such as edu- what might be on offer and how hospital and Asda WalMart; Thursday 12 June or Tuesday 17
cation, health care and judicial you can learn new skills and meet • the launch of the summer pro- June. Call Sue on 887068 if you
services." people through volunteering." gramme of outings and activities would like to join in.
"If you have been thinking of For information and details of • promotion of the new men-only For details about FOCUS or for
volunteering but don't know venues, call 420557 or mail: carers' group; help for yourself or someone you
where to start, throughout the [email protected] • celebrating contact with the know who is a carer, call 531133
week we are running lunchtime www.swindonvolunteers.org 1,000th carer in Swindon; (leave a message out of office hours).