SOUTH Hams Community and Voluntary Services will be celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2016 and the huge contribution of local volunteers.

The celebrations will be launched in Dartmouth at the Dartmouth Volunteer Fair on Saturday, May 21, a community day organised in conjunction with RNLI Dart lifeboat branch.

Their next stop will be in Totnes on Friday, June 3, where they will celebrate a wealth of volunteering opportunities and volunteers.

On Friday, June 10, South Hams CVS will be at The Watermark in Ivybridge from 2pm until 3.30 pm, where they will be celebrating the achievements of volunteers through the Devon Supported Volunteering Project.

The party culminates in Kingsbridge on Saturday, June 11, where they will be on the bandstand from 10.30am until 12pm, promoting Kingsbridge’s vibrant volunteer-involving organisations.

All volunteers are invited to join them at 12 noon in Kingsbridge library for ‘a cuppa and cake’.

Hundreds of events will be taking place across the country to mark Volunteers’ Week. The annual campaign, which was established in 1984, recognises the contribution volunteers make to our communities every day. This year it has been extended by an additional five days, enabling more people than ever to take part.

Charities across the UK will hold events to thank their volunteers and celebrate the power of volunteering to bring communities together. For many charities, the week will also be a chance to showcase the range of volunteering opportunities on offer.

Many organisations will be developing short-term, flexible or remote volunteering placements to encourage people to take part who normally wouldn’t be able to commit and to help them play a bigger role in their communities.

South Hams CVS volunteering support officer Kate Hewett said: ‘Voluntary organisations throughout the South Hams will be joining this national campaign to celebrate the great contribution and achievements of their volunteers.

‘South Hams CVS will be on the road during this week to bring together these organisations and volunteers to celebrate and promote all that has been achieved over the last year. If you see us in your community come and say hello.

‘Discover the enormous contribution of volunteers to your community, as you may be inspired to become a part of something great. We can direct you to our online system Volunteer Connect Devon to start getting involved.

‘Have a look at our website and follow the volunteering links. If you are already a volunteer come and join us at one of the events. Share your experience and add yourself to the volunteer map.’

To find out more about Volunteers’ Week, visit www.volunteersweek.org.

South Hams CVS has helped local voluntary organisations, community groups and charities to flourish since 1994 by offering advice and information on a wealth of topics, including funding, volunteers, the law and governance.

For further information, visit www.southhamscvs.org.uk, call 01803 862266 or email [email protected].