The Big Help Out is a national day of volunteering on 8th May, the Bank Holiday Monday of the Coronation weekend and has been hailed as one of the centrepieces of the celebrations across the country.
The Island is no exception and 1st Godshill & Rookley Scout Group will be taking part, whose eager young members and willing volunteer leaders and helpers will be on hand all afternoon to welcome visitors.
Group Scout Leader Mary Kershaw said:
“The day is about inspiring people to try volunteering and we hope it will help us recruit more adults into The Scout Movement”
Developed by Scouts and the Royal Voluntary Service and organised by the Together Coalition, The Big Help Out aims to inspire a new generation of community volunteering. Dozens of charities will be taking part and using the day to encourage people to “Lend a hand and make a change”.
Mary Kershaw added:
“One of the key aims is to make volunteering easy and accessible. Around 1 in 5 people have never been asked to volunteer and many don’t know where to begin. We’ll be on hand to show just how easy – and rewarding – it is.”
Volunteers from the Godshill & Rookley Scout Group will be at their headquarters in May Close, Godshill, PO38 3HB, from 13:00 to 16:00 on 8th May to welcome visitors and invite them to join in the fun as volunteers themselves. This can range from becoming leaders with the Beaver, Cub or Scout sections, for young people aged 6 to 14, to joining the committee or being able to offer specialist skills to assist the group in its wide range of activities, including admin support, grant applications or hall and grounds maintenance.
Bear Grylls OBE, Chief Scout and TV adventurer, with roots on the Island, said:
“Volunteering has always been a huge part of what makes this country great. The Big Help Out will put volunteering centre stage for a day and give people who want to volunteer easy ways to join in. So please save the date and join us in your community.”
When i was in the scouts in the fifties it was called “bob a job week”