They have really stepped up to the mark during the coronavirus pandemic and are playing vital roles in many of our communities, from delivering food and medicines to the clinically vulnerable to acting as way-finder marshals at our three mass vaccination centres.
In the last 10 months 1,689 new volunteers have been recruited in the county and we want to see these fantastic levels of volunteering sustained as public bodies face restricted budgets and a rising demand for their services in the years to come.
Carl Cooper, Chief Executive of PAVO, said: “Volunteers, supported by PAVO staff, have helped to provide the solution to many service provision dilemmas for PTHB and PCC during the coronavirus pandemic and we believe they will be able to continue to do so as we move into the recovery phase and beyond.
“They will never be a replacement for paid council and health service staff, but they can add to and enhance the work they do. Many volunteers have very high levels of skill, professionalism and dedication and can fill a variety of roles that will help to make life better for our residents in the future
“So, if PTHB and PCC have a service provision dilemma in the future, we are asking them to consider whether deploying volunteers might be part of the answer and contact us at PAVO for advice.”
Powys has the most charities per head of population, for any local authority area in Wales, with 16.8 charities per 1,000 people, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action reported in 2020.
It boasts 4,040 community and voluntary groups, 22,313 trustees and a further 26,346 volunteers in other roles, whose time is worth £129.1 million per annum. They manage to draw in £57 million worth of funding to the county and provide an economic boost of £173.6 million
“The volunteers who have supported the health service in Powys in the last 12 months have been magnificent,” said PTHB Chief Executive, Carol Shillabeer. “Whenever we have needed help it has been available."
“They have acted in a professional manner and have complemented the work of our paid members of staff, providing additional services which in turn free up our health workers to do what they do best which is to look after the health of their patients.
“In this pandemic we have had both key workers and key volunteers.”
PCC’s Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Cllr Graham Breeze, added: “I have seen first-hand in my own community the great things that volunteers can help us achieve and that has been replicated right across the county during this pandemic.
“Many county councillors have also been right on the frontline of volunteering themselves – so they know what it takes – and I, and my colleagues, would like to say a massive thank you to everyone in Powys who has stepped forward. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we will still need your support in the future.”
