You can make the difference – it’s fun and rewarding to volunteer

June 1 sees the start of Volunteers’ Week and CJAM is celebrating the difference we make to our communities. In recognition of the contribution many of our team members make, we’ll be raising a glass to thank everyone for sparing a few hours to volunteer.

Julie and Courtney raised money for Marie Curie in January, collecting donations in Witham, and continuing the theme all the female members of the CJAM team will be putting on their running shoes again in support of Cancer Research UK in a Race for Life around Colchester Castle Park. The fab four – Christine, Trudi, Sarah W and Julie – will be once more arranging the Christmas community lunch for the Vintage Villagers at the end of the year.

Making a difference

Volunteering your time to do something you love is a great way to ‘make a difference’ and Lisa is a good example of channelling her passion for running into helping regularly at the Great Cornard Park Run and offering her services in organising a free running group and coaching for people taking up running. Similarly, Sarah W started a ladies netball club with friends over ten years ago and for the last seven years has run a youth netball offshoot of five teams with weekly training and matches for ages 9-15.

Helping local causes

Christine uses her skills to volunteer as treasurer for her village committee and has pledged to donate a hamper at the fete raffle – which will go towards support for three local groups.

A keen baker, Sarah G hosts tea parties at her home for two Contact the Elderly Groups and occasionally also volunteers as a driver to ferry the guests to and from their homes. “It’s incredibly satisfying to help alleviate the loneliness of our senior citizens, many of whom struggle to get out and about and are socially isolated. It takes up very little time and we all thoroughly enjoy having a chat, sometimes a sing-song, while feasting on sandwiches and cakes. What could be better?” she says.

If you are inspired to volunteer for a few hours per week, month or year, find out about opportunities on the NCVO website.

Find out more about CJAM’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility.