RESIDENTS, businesses and council staff looking to find a way to help their community in 2019 had the perfect start to the year at a volunteering event run by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) last week.

Volunteer 2day, held on Tuesday, January 8, saw 28 charities set up stalls in the council’s offices at Penns Place, Petersfield.

Visitors could chat to the charity representatives, find out what opportunities were on offer and sign up to volunteer. The event was part of the council’s commitment to supporting the voluntary sector and give back to the organisations that work hard to improve the lives of so many East Hampshire residents.

Cllr Richard Millard, EHDC leader, praised the good causes across the area.

“The charities in East Hampshire do such good work and provide so much for the district it is important we all support them,” he added.

“At EHDC we are committed to protecting the welfare of the most vulnerable people in our society. We have given our staff the opportunity to take two paid days to work with a local charity and we have launched our Business Buddies scheme, which matches charities with local firms looking to help their communities.

“The Volunteer 2day event was another way to show our support for these organisations. It was a huge success and I know a lot of the charities will benefit from the connections they made and the volunteers they signed up.”

EHDC set up the Business Buddies scheme to match local businesses with charities for support, advice and guidance. The event was also an opportunity for local businesses, which haven’t already signed up to the scheme and want to make a difference to their community, to see how they can help.

EHDC also has a Volunteer Leave Scheme, which allows all officers employed by the council two days of extra leave a year to volunteer and help local charities or community groups.

Staff have used the scheme to help out at youth clubs, senior citizens groups, guides camps, schools and charity events.

Cllr Julie Butler also praised people who give up their free time for good causes, describing volunteers as “the heartbeat of our communities”.