Norfolk Day – Thanking Norfolk’s Volunteer Heroes

As we celebrate Norfolk Day, Alan Hopley, Voluntary Norfolk’s CEO thanks the county’s Volunteers. The work they do makes Norfolk such a wonderful place to Live and work.

Norfolk Day is an annual celebration of all things Norfolk. We certainly have a lot to celebrate:

  • our county’s famous sons and daughters (like Nelson or Cavell),
  • the beautiful natural resources (such as the Norfolk Broads or the North Norfolk Coast),
  • our historical landmarks (the cathedrals, ministers, castles, stately homes etc.)
  • and so much more.

But I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to and celebrate the work of the many 1000s of volunteers. I know their work in our communities often goes unnoticed, despite the amazing work they do on a daily basis.

Impact volunteers have

Sadly for all Norfolk’s assets, there are still several issues that need resolving – too many people are struggling, whether that be physically, mentally, financially, etc. It is volunteers in communities up and down the county, from King’s Lynn to Great Yarmouth, from Sheringham to Diss, who are supporting them when they need help the most and it is they who are perhaps the greatest asset Norfolk has. We saw how communities came together during the pandemic and its aftermath and volunteers were often the glue that held them together.

Volunteers are indeed the antidote to so many social ills. They do everything from tackling loneliness and social isolation to helping in hospitals and healthcare settings. So many volunteers don’t even realise the work that they are doing, looking after relatives, checking on neighbours, helping people get back on their feet, etc. counts as volunteering. It is for that reason that I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has ever donated their time to be a volunteer. Norfolk is so much better because of the time and efforts you commit to helping others. Finally, for anyone who is thinking of volunteering, why not give it a go? Voluntary Norfolk has a new portal that makes finding exciting volunteering opportunities as easy as possible. Look on GetInVOLved Norfolk for roles as varied as dog walking to hospital volunteers to Lego club leading.