East London News A Force for the community…
MAYOR LUTFUR RAHMAN has marked Volunteers’ Week by thanking everyone who does voluntary work in Tower Hamlets.
“Our volunteers show what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose,” he said. “I want to thank each and every one of them.”
Deputy Mayor Cllr Maium Talukdar echoed his words, saying, “Volunteering is a powerful way to build skills, gain confidence and connect with our community, while supporting the organisations that deliver vital services every day. Their commitment makes a real and lasting difference to people across Tower Hamlets.”
Catherine Bavage, Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets Volunteer Centre, explained that thousands of residents volunteer in the community each year. The Council reported that there are currently 70 volunteering opportunities advertised at the centre.
Volunteering can be useful. It helps young people and those out of work gain experiences to put on their CVs. It is a way for people to get out of the house and meet others. However, it is not a panacea – and there can even be some drawbacks.
•Volunteering tends to be an activity undertaken by residents who do not have jobs or childcare duties or dependent adults to look after.
•Volunteers can take the place of paid jobs – but only in certain areas of work. If a Council can persuade residents to form a Friends group to look after a park on a voluntary basis, it can cut the number of park and/or horticulture workers it takes on. Workers who lose their jobs could be encouraged to carry on the work they used to do on a paid basis – as volunteers!
•Some services are provided by community groups, often funded by the Council – but using volunteers in place of paid workers. This can also lead to very patchy provision of services across the borough.
There is no suggestion that Tower Hamlets Council is motivated to cut jobs by encouraging volunteers – but employing people to deliver Council services has many benefits. Let’s hope both options remain on offer.
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