Speakers included David Edgar from Volunteering England who explained the background to the Year of the Volunteer. He was followed by Jamie Thomas who outlined the key findings of the Russell Commission into Youth Volunteering, which reported in March. Delegates also heard a contribution from James Banks, from Greater London Volunteering, on the London-wide network of agencies.
Four projects funded by the £2 million GOL administered Time Limited Development Fund gave examples of the work they have done and how it has made a difference to people's lives. Speakers included two volunteers: Yvonne Laird who has set up her own business as a result of volunteering and Jane Buttigieg who plays a key role in organising the South Westminster Festival.
Delegates were then free to network to find out about how they could volunteer with organisations such as Community Service Volunteers, Ealing Council of Volunteering Service, Hammersmith & Fulham Volunteer Development Agency, Octopus Community Network and Disability Action Waltham Forest.
GOL Regional Director Liz Meek said:
" GOL is delighted to host this celebration of volunteering. Of course, many GOL staff already work with volunteering organisations and projects and many of the initiatives that GOL supports could not succeed without volunteers. Volunteer support will be vital when the Olympic bid is successful and many of the people who sit on our various partnership boards are volunteers. I hope this will be the first in a series of celebrations of the positive benefits of volunteering for GOL and London."
More information
For more information contact Karen Deadfield 020 7217 3171
