Volunteer in the New Year!

JANUARY is traditionally a time to make resolutions for the year ahead, but instead of resolving to change careers or get fit, local groups and charities are asking the people of Frome to think of others in 2022 and see if they could offer a helping hand.

Whether you have some free time to help deliver food parcels for the local food bank, sign up to a youth befriending service, help organise 2022’s Children’s Festival, or volunteer at one of Frome’s vibrant performance venues, there are plenty of ways to give back to your neighbourhood and show just how strong the community spirit is in the town.   

“Volunteering can encompass so many things and tick so many feel-good boxes,” says mayor cllr Andy Wrintmore, “from giving back locally and building connections, to boosting your confidence and gaining new skills.  

“It can fill a lot of your time (if you have it to offer and are looking for something to do!) or just an hour a week, whenever works for you.  

“You can follow your passions and interests and discover new skills or pass on your knowledge and expertise to others.  Frome has so many life-changing community organisations that you could become involved with, so this new year if you’re thinking of trying something new, why not give volunteering ago? I don’t think you’ll regret it.” 

During the early days of the pandemic, many people volunteered to help during the crisis, including people who were on furlough from their work and had some spare time. However, workers have since trickled back to the office and some elderly volunteers did not return because of health concerns. 

And whilst Frome’s community spirit continued to shine bright in 2021, some local groups, charities and organisations have vacancies needing to be filled. These include Fair Frome; Active and In Touch; clubs like the Lions and Rotary; local charity, Purple Elephant;and the Memorial and Merlin theatres and the Frome Oxfam shop.

Here is a run down of just some of the groups which need help.

Fair Frome

Frome charity, Fair Frome, provides practical support for those in the community experiencing financial, health and social difficulties. Their services include its Food Bank, the Frome Big Christmas Get Together, Food at Five Takeaway, the Furniture Bank, and campaigning on issues related to poverty. 

Currently, the charity is looking for volunteer drivers to help its Food Bank service. 

Chair of trustees at Fair Frome, Bob Ashford said, “Fair Frome is looking for volunteer drivers with current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks to deliver food parcels on Food Bank days Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at lunchtimes, and also ad hoc volunteers for food collections.” 

Active and In Touch 

During the pandemic, local group Active and In Touch has seen an increase in numbers of people contacting it for support and help.   “Since March 2020, the number of people befriended increased and today we are befriending approximately 300 isolated residents of Frome and the surrounding villages,” said A&IT member Patricia Baker. “Obviously, this sharp rise      necessitated a corresponding increase in volunteers.  

“During periods of lockdown, workers who had been furloughed generously came forward to support this need, whilst different methods of contact with those befriended came about – via whatsapp, phone, letter and meeting in open spaces, whenever possible.  

“A percentage of those volunteers were able to remain after returning to work, but others, understandably, were not able to continue once they were no longer furloughed or able to work from home.

“Active and In Touch is, therefore, asking for people locally who feel they would be able to give some time to support those who are lonely, isolated or vulnerable, particularly during the ongoing pandemic, to make contact.  Younger people, especially, are welcome, as there has been a decrease in the average age of those befriended over recent months. 

“There is still uncertainty about the road ahead, but what is certain is that contact with others helps people enormously and any time which could be spared to help in this area, from an hour a week upwards, could be a lifeline for someone either via contact, undertaking shopping or becoming a ‘Frome Community Driver’. 

“Please contact enquiries@activeandintouch.org and speak to A&IT co-ordinators Gwen Corbet or Di Roberts to learn more about becoming a volunteer and so furthering support which can be given to those in need.”

“During 2021, Active and In Touch was delighted to be recognised by HM Queen Elizabeth II as a charity which provided “a much valued, inclusive befriending service to combat isolation and loneliness” and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”

Purple Elephant

Purple Elephant is a charitable organisation supporting children, from babies to teenagers, focusing on those who are disadvantaged by such circumstances as low income, poor mental health, social isolation, disabilities and additional needs.  

They say, “Volunteering has been a real mixed bag for us since the pandemic started. Of course, it goes without saying that we simply couldn’t function without our volunteers.  We don’t generate an income with our work and we rely on funding and sponsorship, so volunteering means we can make things happen for the families of Frome; it is that simple, if they were not there, we would not manage a lot of what we set out to do. 

“For some of our services, such as Small Steps and the Toy Library, we had to reduce the number of volunteers. We had to put limitations on numbers of people in the room, to keep everyone safe, so that meant keeping volunteer numbers lower than before, in order to accommodate the very people the services and events are put on for.” 

The services where Purple Elephant have required more volunteers, and where they require applicants now too, are their Befriending Service and the Children’s Festival.   

The charity continues, “Befriending volunteers require some specialism and the commitment to offer a weekly check-in and support as a trained ‘buddy’ for children between 5 and 12 years of age.  

“The organisation is very keen to find more volunteers to help; applicants need to have recent, relevant experience of working with vulnerable children (and be willing to undertake a DBS check and further training).  

“Less specialised – with enthusiasm and energy being the main requirements – the team need lots of helpers at the Children’s Festival.  The Festival’s full day of free events for the whole town will take place in August and would make a great volunteering start for those don’t have the time to commit long term yet.” 

Purple Elephant volunteer, and well-known local resident, councillor John Clarke adds, “It’s not just about giving something to the community. With Purple Elephant it is so much fun, you can have a laugh with families and of course I love playing too and that brings laughter to their faces, which makes me smile.”

Frome Memorial Theatre 

“Frome Memorial Theatre opened in 1925 as Memorial Hall, in memory of those who fell in the First World War and through the years, it has had many guises including a cinema. But we are very proud to be the theatre we are today,” said a spokesperson for the theatre. 

“Like all the entertainment industry, lockdown hit us hard and we were so glad to re-open in July 2021 and welcome back our audience. 

“The theatre is run entirely by volunteers who give their time for free on a regular basis to ensure that everything runs smoothly. We are always looking for new volunteers to join us. 

“Like all voluntary groups the theatre always needs help, and there are many jobs to do. Stewarding, ice-cream sellers, kiosk, car park attendance, box office, maintenance, technical, marketing all have vacancies. 

“The theatre can offer you training opportunities, additional skills for your CV and a chance to meet new people and have fun. 

“If you would like to know more, there are many ways to get in touch. You can visit our website www.fromememorialtheatre.org.uk and fill in a volunteer form, email us at info@fromememorialtheatre.co.uk or pop into the box office and pick up a volunteer form. 

“We have a very busy and exciting 2022 planned and we would love for you to be part of it.” 

Merlin Theatre 

“The Merlin is one organisation that would literally not be able to function without volunteers,” a spokesperson for the Merlin told Frome Times. “There are requirements regarding safety and fire procedures that require a minimum number of trained staff, so it is not just a case of helping at the box office or selling ice cream.   

“A theatre-lovers’ haven, most duties mean volunteers get to see shows for free and so many people have told us that this place and these friendships became a part of their social life, a way to join the community for new-comers, even solace and purpose for those who have suffered great losses at times.  Theatre generates warmth and friendship offstage as well as on.   

“Although volunteering is sometimes associated with greater free time available to retired people, the Merlin is multi-generational, including students, because evenings and weekends are when help is most needed in entertainment, not just weekdays.  

“The theatre has a number of partnered-couples who work together as volunteers, as well as several whole families. When theatre-enthusiast, 14-year-old Eoin, wanted to volunteer, it very quickly became a family affair.   

“The theatre director was unwilling to turn down such a bright and hard-working young person, although very mindful of a duty of care because of his age. The plan was that, temporarily, one of his parents would be present during his shifts but now, even though he’s since turned 16, they have mum, dad and Eoin all as our volunteers on a regular basis and set to stay that way!” 

Eoin’s mum, Catherine, adds, “We used to go occasionally to the theatre but when our son started volunteering as part of his DofE and got the chance to experience plays, dance, films and comedy that he would never have seen otherwise, we thought it would be a great thing for us to do as well.   

“It has turned out to be such fun, we’ve seen some amazing shows and met a lot of lovely supportive people along the way. We are so lucky to have such a great venue on our doorstep and we get to see our son maturing into a hard-working, independent young adult. We would highly recommend joining the Merlin volunteer team.”  

Frome Oxfam shop 

New volunteers are always extremely welcome in Frome’s Oxfam shop in the Market Place. Please ring 01373 464787 for more information and ask for Sue or Suzanne.

Are you involved in a local group? Do you need volunteers? Email news@frometimes.co/uk or call01373 452109 and we will be happy to publicise your organisation.