20 Oct 2006 - Three Rivers Volunteer Centre celebrates is 1000th Volunteer
Schoolboy Daniel Sturrock has become the 1000th volunteer to register with Three Rivers Volunteer Centre since the national volunteering database was launched.Daniel was presented with a certificate to mark his contribution by Centre Manager Lynn Green, who marked her final week in post, before she leaves to head the volunteer development department for a national charity.
Fifteen-year-old Daniel came to the Volunteer Centre for advice about volunteering and after discussing his options decided that the Gateway Club suited him.
Daniel, of Rickmansworth, said: "I like going to the Gateway Club because what we do varies each week. Sometimes its sports, arts and crafts or even Karaoke.
"It is fun and it has helped me to see that everyone?s the same, no matter whether they have a disability or not. I have made lots of friends."
The Gateway Club is a social club for young people with learning disabilities based in Mill End, Rickmansworth. It has proved a popular destination for young volunteers, a fact that Lynn Green is proud of.
"I was particularly pleased to find out that Daniel was our 1000th volunteer since we began collecting records on the national do-it database.
"We have made a conscious effort to attract more young people to volunteering and have succeeded in this through a mixture of approaching schools directly and ensuring that the opportunities out there are accessible on-line at www.do-it.org.uk.
"Unfortunately, it is difficult to say that we will be able to carry on the service at this level as at present both the Volunteer Centre and the Centre for Voluntary Service in Three Rivers are operating on reserves.
"We are waiting to hear the result of bids for funding from the Big Lottery Fund but these have been delayed to the huge demand for funding. We are in a unique position here in Three Rivers in that our local district council has never funded us. We have asked them to waive three months rent while we wait to hear if we will get funding or not."
Mary Green, Executive Director of the Centre for Voluntary Service, said: "We are very sorry to see Lynn go, she has achieved so much in Three Rivers including organising the highly successful Volunteers Gala in February this year to mark the end of the Year of the Volunteer.
"We cannot replace her while our funding remains uncertain and so for now the Volunteer Centre in Three Rivers will operate part-time with the help of a team of volunteers."
Daniel said: "It will be a shame if the Volunteer Centre closes as how else will young people find out about volunteering? I would recommend volunteering to other people as the amount you get out of it is more than what you put in."
"It is fun and it has helped me to see that everyone?s the same, no matter whether they have a disability or not. I have made lots of friends."
The Gateway Club is a social club for young people with learning disabilities based in Mill End, Rickmansworth. It has proved a popular destination for young volunteers, a fact that Lynn Green is proud of.
"I was particularly pleased to find out that Daniel was our 1000th volunteer since we began collecting records on the national do-it database.
"We have made a conscious effort to attract more young people to volunteering and have succeeded in this through a mixture of approaching schools directly and ensuring that the opportunities out there are accessible on-line at www.do-it.org.uk.
"Unfortunately, it is difficult to say that we will be able to carry on the service at this level as at present both the Volunteer Centre and the Centre for Voluntary Service in Three Rivers are operating on reserves.
"We are waiting to hear the result of bids for funding from the Big Lottery Fund but these have been delayed to the huge demand for funding. We are in a unique position here in Three Rivers in that our local district council has never funded us. We have asked them to waive three months rent while we wait to hear if we will get funding or not."
Mary Green, Executive Director of the Centre for Voluntary Service, said: "We are very sorry to see Lynn go, she has achieved so much in Three Rivers including organising the highly successful Volunteers Gala in February this year to mark the end of the Year of the Volunteer.
"We cannot replace her while our funding remains uncertain and so for now the Volunteer Centre in Three Rivers will operate part-time with the help of a team of volunteers."
Daniel said: "It will be a shame if the Volunteer Centre closes as how else will young people find out about volunteering? I would recommend volunteering to other people as the amount you get out of it is more than what you put in."