As I write this Volunteer’s Week in the UK is underway (1-7 June). It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make and say thank you.
The number of hours ringers put into volunteering is probably incalculable. We turn up each Sunday, sometime twice, we practice at least once a week if not more. We teach, administer, manage and offer guidance and support, all without payment. We may occasionally get paid to ring for a wedding, funeral or other event but that’s all (pardon the pun!).
Over the last six months or so we have yet again seen that level of volunteering ramp right up to ensure learners coming our way to Ring for the King get a great experience, participate in the event, and hopefully continue beyond that, having found an exciting new adventure ahead of them. Whether teaching, or supporting those that do, turning up to ring week after week has been invaluable.
If you help organise things within your own tower, district or Association, you are taking volunteering to that next level. Offering your support, expertise and energies into making things happen.
The Central Council is run entirely by volunteers, whether as part of the Executive team, Workgroup Leads and members and Stewards. All prepared to give their time, energy and talents to help do a bit extra for the common good, usually because the work is something that interests them or they want to contribute on a wider basis.
Much of the work of the Central Council is done by the Workgroups. Members of which no longer have to be Central Council Reps, but bring their skills, knowledge and talents to the team.
You can’t possibly have missed the talents of one such workgroup member, Sue Hall. Sue is part of the Public Relations Workgroup and a fantastic example of someone with a skill and talent they are willing to share for the greater good. You will have seen Sue’s handywork with being able to design logos, posters etc at the very fore recently with the Ring for the King logo and the Bell Sunday logo amongst others. The Ring for the King logo making additional appearances by way of featuring on badges, mugs and t-shirts as seen in the special edition of the Ringing World recently. Sue has also provided artwork for associations on request and asks for nothing in return, and bellringing has benefitted enormously from that contribution. So, a huge thank you to Sue.
Sue is just one example of so many who give their time and talents freely. If you can find a way to volunteer to help at any level, short or long term, it can help you make friends, learn new skills, advance your university application or career, and even help you feel happier and healthier by connecting you with others and your community. For some it enables them to bring their skills and experience to the service of the wider ringing community, whilst for others it enables them to branch out and use skills which may have been under-employed in their working life. With busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to volunteer; however, the benefits can be enormous, providing vital support to a worthwhile cause and helping others.
If you are not sure what you can offer, speak to your Tower Captain, district or association officers, or if you feel you can help an area within the work of the Central Council, we have a list of things we’re looking for support with at https://cccbr.org.uk/about/volunteering-with-the-council/ Get in touch and help achieve amazing things together.
So, thank you to you all, for ringing, teaching, supporting, administering, guiding and the many and varied ways in which you volunteer.
Vicki Chapman
Public Relations Officer (a voluntary position)
Central Council of Church Bell Ringers