By Keighley & Ilkley MP Robbie Moore TUESDAY (June 1) marks the start of Volunteers’ Week, a week where the nation gets together to celebrate the wonder of volunteering which so many people up and down the UK do day in day out – out of the goodness of their hearts. This year’s celebrations will be more compelling than ever after we have seen a nation get together and volunteering numbers explode during the Covid pandemic. Since being elected as your MP I have had the pleasure of meeting many fantastic volunteer groups up and down the Keighley and Ilkley constituency, from the Aire Valley Against Incineration campaign group to Keighley Dementia Friendly which were both among my first official meetings as your MP.
TRIBUTE has been paid to volunteers across the Keighley district. The spotlight has been shone on the unpaid efforts of many people, ahead of national Volunteers Week which starts on Tuesday (June 1). And two recent recruits to Carelink Befriending have spoken about their experiences. The service trains volunteers to become befrienders to people in Keighley who are isolated or vulnerable. Support can be provided in a wide range of ways, from making visits and having phone chats to dog walking or shopping. Ian Nichol became a volunteer following his retirement in March after a 40-year career working in further education and the charitable sector.