Volunteer Week 2021

This week, 1–7 June, is Volunteers Week. It's a chance to say a huge ‘thank you’ for the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our organisation and communities.

It is more important than ever that we recognise the value of our volunteers, who have given their time over the last year to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the pandemic GMFRS and GMCA volunteers have provided more than 4,000 hours of support to the Greater Manchester response to COVID-19. This is a significant amount of the nearly 16,000 combined hours of Humanitarian Aid provided jointly by our volunteers, staff and operational crews.

Our volunteers have been involved in a number of COVID-19 activities including PPE distribution, marshalling at vaccination and test centres, supporting local authorities contacting vulnerable residents, encouraging people to take tests during surge testing and conducting lateral flow tests so that pupils and staff could return to school safely.

Volunteer Sue Abbott has contributed nearly 600 hours of support, assembling Creative Care Kits for isolated younger and older people during lockdown and right on the frontline at test and vaccination Centres across Greater Manchester. She has also helped GMFRS to continue to keep people safe from fire by supporting the distribution of smoke alarms and safety information.

Sue said: “I have volunteered for GMFRS for a number of years and had regular contact with fire stations as a volunteer chaplain. Once the pandemic hit I wanted to help out however I could, and have worked at a number of sites, including at vaccination and testing centres in all weathers!

“It has been good to give something back to Greater Manchester and to support GMFRS during the pandemic.”

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx has been strategic lead for GMFRS’ COVID-19 response. Dawn said: “I want to say a massive thank you to all of our volunteers who have given their time to help support Greater Manchester respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our volunteers have been a key part in helping at testing and vaccination sites, supporting the distribution of PPE and supporting the Service to carry out prevention work.

“I really appreciate all the time that our volunteers have given to our partners across Greater Manchester during these extraordinary times. It’s only right that we take this Volunteers Week to say thank you for all the work they have done.”

We will continue to provide opportunities for volunteers to support our partners and communities during COVID-19. The Service is currently reviewing our Volunteering Programme to be able to focus on GMFRS key prevention and education activities, to provide the support where it is most needed and offering meaningful and valued volunteering opportunities.

Due to COVID-19 and the review of our Volunteer Programme we are not currently recruiting, but you can let us know that you are interested in becoming a GMFRS Volunteer by emailing volunteerco-ordinators@manchesterfire.gov.uk and we will keep you informed.

Further information will also be available on the Manchester Fire website Volunteer page. https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/join-us/volunteering-and-youth-engagement/become-a-volunteer/

01/06/2021 13:11 PM