Local voluntary and community groups are looking at new ways of enlisting the help of residents and businesses in the face of increased demand for services.
Leader of St Albans City and District Council, Cllr Alec Campbell, spoke at the St Albans & District Strategic Partnership’s annual Community Conference:
“We start from a positive base in St Albans District as we have a wealth of impressive organisations, groups and individuals supporting others in our District. However, the Council’s Community Survey has shown a decrease in residents participating in voluntary activity from 32 per cent in 2010 to 22 per cent in 2015.”
He said the voluntary and community sector is looking for new ways to attract volunteers of all ages.
Cllr Campbell added: “There are considerable benefits to volunteering in terms of promoting health and wellbeing, encouraging a sense of belonging to a community and helping people back into work.”
Suggestions and other feedback from the conference will be considered by the Strategic Partnership and form part of their future work plan.