Council is welcoming volunteers for two of its group schemes

The Swindon Circles Befriending and Local Heroes volunteer schemes are currently looking for applicants.

The two volunteer groups withstood the pandemic and Swindon Borough Council are now recruiting more people to join. 

A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council said: "Volunteering is a great way to help your community and benefit your own life in lots of ways.

"We have had an upsurge in requests for volunteer befrienders for local people who are isolated and also for Local Hero befrienders who are able to help with one off tasks."

Swindon Circles Befriending is looking for 'befrienders' to visit local people who are socially isolated and have poor mobility. The group say that volunteering with them can be very flexible and time schedules can be worked around the individual.

Those wishing to become a befriender can email [email protected] or call 01793 465513

Local Heroes is a volunteer scheme that recruits people to help with one-off tasks to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable residents. 

Sarah and her daughter (pictured above) have been walking a terrier while its owner recovers from an operation. 

Sarah said: "This arrangement is perfect, especially for inexperienced dog walkers like us."

A Local Heroes taks could take many forms - some of the more recent jobs have included:

• Helping to pack food boxes
• Trimming hedges/garden work
• Hoovering/cleaning a house
• Helping someone with learning difficulties to sort through and read post
• Putting up a key safe for an elderly resident

Local Heroes have requests for many different types of tasks and they say volunteering with them would provide a variety of different things to do. 

More information about becoming a Local Hero can also be found by emailing [email protected] or calling 01793 465513