Thursdays are a time for change in Woodbridge

Want to help make a change in your community in 2012? Then come along to the launch of the Woodbridge Information sessions at Woodbridge Library on Thursday, January 12 and find out more about how committing a few hours can make a real difference.

The sessions have been set up as part of Suffolk Coastal's innovative Change Makers project and will be held fortnightly on Thursdays from 9.30am to 11.30am to recruit and encourage volunteering in the Woodbridge area.

"Three people have come forward to offer to run this venture and so hopefully inspire more people to give up their time and do something positive in their community to make a difference in the day to day lives of their fellow residents. The event is being run with help from Framlingham Volunteer Centre and the library and I hope it becomes a real success," said Dr Wil Gibson, Board member of the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

"Anyone can come along and find out what groups are doing in their area and what opportunities there are for people to offer voluntary support to make their activities even more effective. Voluntary work can be incredibly satisfying as you are playing a direct role in providing much-needed services to people that need them in your own community.

"Volunteering is also an excellent way of gaining new skills and of showing to potential employers that you are someone who is ready and willing to take on fresh challenges. So whether you have just a few spare hours a month, or could commit to a few days a week, there are local groups who can make use of your talents and time, whether in Woodbridge or elsewhere in the district," added Dr Gibson.   

Alison Jordan is the campaign coordinator of Change Makers which provides support and guidance to local people who want to make a difference in their community, helping people turn their big idea into reality and so provide something new that could really add a special little extra to the local quality of life.

The scheme is specifically targeted at those who want to start something new, or make something better or just put it right. It could include setting up a club or group, or organising an activity, learning or teaching new skills, or just generally helping people in the local community.

Alison Jordan can be contacted on 01473 273273 or 07531 852 112, or by emailing Alison.jordan@savo.co.uk or by writing to her at SAVO, Dickson House, 43a Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich IP4 5QN. Alison is funded by the SCLSP and supported by the Suffolk Coastal Resource Network (SCRN), another SCLSP backed project.

The SCRN recently called on all volunteers and voluntary groups in Suffolk Coastal to register on Do-It.org, an online database that helps the Voluntary and Community Sector to get the volunteers they need.

Organisations should register their details with Volunteer Ipswich and Volunteer Centre Framlingham & District. Those groups on the west side of the A12 should register with Volunteer Centre Framlingham and the east side with Volunteer Ipswich, while groups in the Woodbridge area can register with either body. Volunteers can also tell either centre about skills and availability, so they can be matched up with local groups.

The registration forms for volunteers and for local groups can be obtained by calling Kirk Jackson, Volunteer Support and Development Officer at Volunteer Ipswich on 01473 261116 or emailing volunteer@ipswich-cvs.org.uk . Volunteer Centre Framlingham & District’s contact is Jan Wright, available on 01728 621210 or by emailing framlingham@volunteercentressuffolk.co.uk