The coronavirus outbreak has not stopped charitable organisations providing a wide range of services to local communities. Indeed we need volunteers more than ever as ‘there are warnings in the UK that more people are being pushed into poverty due to the coronavirus pandemic’.
According to London’s Poverty Profile 2020, around 28% of people live in poverty in London compared to 22% in the UK. These figures are even more concerning when there is a pandemic going on.
Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre is the community hub in North Woolwich. It introduced new measures in order to keep its doors open. People are now encouraged to wait outside while volunteers get the right-size bags for their household, but the food bank at the centre continues to offer vital support to those in need.
Filmed in the Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre shortly before the pandemic took hold, this video sets out the benefits of becoming a volunteer. Although it may be some time before we can go back to the close physical contact shown in the film, the message remains the same: volunteering improves your community and very often it makes you feel better about yourself.
If you are not convinced yet, here some tips to keep safe when volunteering…
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
