Case studies: The amazing work of local MK volunteers

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have witnessed the coming together of communities and an outpouring of willingness to volunteer. We have matched 218 people to various roles across MK.

This Volunteers Week, we are highlighting a few case studies of organisations who have been working with volunteers through this trying time.

Bucks Vision

This Volunteers’ Week, BucksVision are celebrating the fact that volunteers can come from all communities and walks of life and that they carry out a diverse range of roles.

“Our volunteers, both sighted and visually impaired, support a wide range of services, including our Milton Keynes based Technology Group. Our Technology Support Volunteers share their own user experience, and offer clear advice to keep people connected, they can work with you virtually as part of a group or directly to answer and resolve your technical queries”.

After I was lent an iPad, BucksVision Technology Volunteer Robert got in touch to help. Robert is my Captain Marvel, Batman and Superman rolled into one. When all sorts of weird things happen, I panic but Robert’s calm, quiet voice reassures me. Our triumph came when we were able to connect to the MK Technology Group meeting using the Zoom app on the iPad rather than joining by phone. Thank you, Robert, for making something impossible happen during these days of solitude and isolation. My gratitude to you all.
Bea, BucksVision Member

FareShare

FareShare South Midlands is based in Bletchley in Milton Keynes and opened in October 2019 to redistribute surplus food to Buckinghamshire charities and community groups.

Hear what one volunteer has to say about her SOFEA volunteering experience. In one word, ‘hope’.

SOFEA has had some wonderful volunteers who have really enjoyed their volunteering experiences:

I have loved every minute of my time Volunteering at FareShare. With my background in Food Manufacturing spending time at the South Midlands centre has really inspired me. At the moment, I’m supporting the assembly of the ‘Larder boxes’ of essential items which then get distributed to front line charities supporting the most vulnerable. It’s really heartwarming seeing the whole community come together during this time; from the generosity shown by food suppliers to working as a team with my fellow volunteers.
Daniela Nilletti, Volunteer

Milton Keynes Play Association

“Our team and volunteers have been working hard in the Scrapstore throughout the lockdown fulfilling orders of Scrapboxes ensuring we deliver the same high quality of materials we always offer in a safe, secure way.

Now they are preparing the store for pre-booked visits on Thursdays. Visitors and volunteers welcome”.

Volunteers packing scrapstore boxes

Willen Hospice

Willen Hospice has been supported by a number of volunteers during the Covid-19 lockdown – click here to read an inspiring story from Claire, one of their volunteers, who got involved while being furloughed.

Peta Wilkinson, Hospice Chief Executive said –

“We are so grateful to each and every one of our volunteers. Whether they help on our In-Patient Unit, administration, gardening, retail, supporting families, or at community events: we simply couldn’t do what we do for local patients and their families, without them.
“In the past year our volunteers have worked over 57,000 hours. This is an incredible amount of time and equates to over half a million pounds in saved salaries. Thank you to all of our volunteers, and indeed to everyone across MK who contributes their time for our wonderful community.”

MK Coronavirus Support Group

“Our support group was created to connect volunteers in each part of Milton Keynes with local people who need help with small practical tasks and have no-one else to turn to. Read about our efforts in the MK Citizen!”

The group have started this #tummylove initiative – providing hots meals to residents:

MKCCS are needing to raise funds to support many of the vulnerable who we have identified in providing them with a free hot meal daily.

“We have one lady now cooking hot meals for 40+ residents everyday and we need some help towards her expenses in order to keep this service going and other expenses that are occurring or costs for future ideas to help people during this crisis and show them we care about them”.

Support MK Coronavirus Support Group here

See their Facebook page and website for more!

Thanking the fantastic volunteers of Milton Keynes

Below are some tweets which have been shared across the week, thanking our fantastic volunteers for the invaluable work they do in Milton Keynes communities: