Written by one of our volunteers:
As the true impact of coronavirus became increasingly real for the strained NHS, and families and individuals losing loved ones, many of you embarked on a quest to find something useful to do. Ann became a volunteer in May 2020, combining it with her work as an NHS medical secretary. Although she hadn't volunteered since her children were young, she felt compelled to contribute to the pandemic response effort, even in a small way.
Over the course of the pandemic, here at Communities 1st we have had a mixture of working from home and in the office. Speaking to colleagues across the voluntary sector has got me thinking; how do we support our member organisations as they reopen their spaces, and how will we work in the future?
Para Dance UK is pleased to announce that the booking system for our first online competition, Summer Festival, is now open! Click on the link to go to our Eventbrite page where you’ll find the rules, terms and conditions. Please read these before you book.
https://paradanceuksummerfestival.eventbrite.co.uk
Payment on Eventbrite is by debit/credit card.
Written by one of our volunteers:
The lockdown has left many with a sudden quiet in their usually busy lives. There are hours of free time but not a lot of exciting things to fill it with! Many people have chosen to heed the collective call-to-arms and use their free time to volunteer, providing them with a sense of purpose and community.
Written by one of our volunteers:
During the last year life has changed a lot for all of us, many of us facing incredibly difficult challenges and hardship. However, when we reflect on our communities, neighbours, friends and families, stories of selfless people and acts shine out like stars.
Written by one of our volunteers:
With an end to the restrictions getting tantalisingly close, feelings of hope and positivity are in the air. You may be making plans: to hug your loved ones, to welcome new babies or pets, to celebrate milestones reached during the lockdown, perhaps even to grieve those lost. Although the future does looks brighter, many people within our communities will continue to need our support.
This week marks the anniversary of the first national lockdown. Over the last 12 months, we have been inspired and sustained by the amazing work carried out by local volunteers, as well as Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations and their funders, who rapidly adapted their practices and made grants available. Our work has been facilitated by grants from 19 different funders; their support is hugely appreciated by us all.
On Sunday 21 March 2021, everyone in England and Wales will have to fill in the Census questionnaire. Most households will soon start to receive access codes so they can fill in the form online.
Dr Lisa Cameron MP, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Disability at Westminster, has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) that celebrates the work of Para Dance UK and their efforts to relieve loneliness and isolation among people shielding from covid-19 and calls on the Government to prioritise the physical and mental health needs of people with disabilities throughout the covid-19 outbreak and beyond.