Local Welsh Labour MS, David Rees is marking Volunteers’ Week

Local Welsh Labour MS, David Rees is marking Volunteers’ Week this week by saying thank you to the hundreds of volunteers of all ages including young people who are working so hard to support our communities in Aberavon.

 

The lives of individuals and communities throughout Aberavon have been impacted in dramatic ways by the Covid-19 pandemic, but volunteers have stepped in to deliver food and medicines to neighbours, support the NHS, and find new ways to keep in contact with friends and neighbours through wellbeing chats and socially distanced check-ins.

 

This is a time when neighbours, community members and volunteers have become more vital than ever to support those in need.

 

Thanking the volunteers for their hard work, David Rees MS, said:

 

“I want to say thank you to every single one of our volunteers who have been supporting our community here in Aberavon I am amazed and inspired by the generosity you have all shown, you are our community heroes. They have worked so hard to help communities across the county borough. Without these volunteers, many people would struggle. This has shown how valuable and important volunteers are to the wider community.

 

“Our communities have felt the benefit of the kindness of volunteers, from delivering food and medicines to neighbours, to supporting our NHS, your support is helping the wellbeing of others. Helping others is also a very good way to boost self-esteem and our mental health while keeping busy.

 

“Every single volunteer is valued and appreciated. Thank you for the work you have done in the past, thank you for the work you are doing now, and thank you for the work I know you will do in the future. Volunteering is something that offers huge returns to everyone in the community. Please continue to offer your services in whatever way suits you best – just be sure to keep yourself and others safe.”

 

Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said:

 

“I want to say thank you to all of our fantastic volunteers who have been supporting their communities. I am amazed and inspired by the generosity shown by people, young and old, throughout Wales.

 

“Nearly 18,000 volunteers have offered their services since 1st March, with almost 3000 of those being aged under 25. If you haven’t yet thought about volunteering, please take a look at Volunteering Wales, and offer your services in whatever way suits you best.

 

“It’s therefore only right that the key message of this week is ‘Time to Say Thanks’ and that’s exactly what we in the Welsh Government will be doing throughout this week. We encourage all our partners across Wales to do the same. It’s more important than ever for us to recognise the contribution that volunteers make, both during this crisis and in every aspect of life in Wales.”