DORSET volunteers are being celebrated for their hard work throughout the coronavirus crisis.

In the midst of Volunteers Week 2020, Volunteer Centre Dorset is taking the opportunity to thank those who have volunteered to support communities during the lockdown period.

Volunteers Week is usually a week of celebrations and get togethers to recognise the contributions of volunteers. Whilst this is not possible this year, Volunteer Centre Dorset have released a statement to say thank you to volunteers throughout the country.

Marie Waterman, manager at Volunteer Centre Dorset, said: “Volunteer Centre Dorset asked people to step up to help those most vulnerable in their community during this crisis and almost 2000 people registered to offer their help in whatever way they could.

“The response has been incredible, I feel that the organised, quick response from communities and individuals is one of the reasons why our hospitals have seen a low number of cases and Dorset has been able to manage the crisis.

“Those who have had to isolate and are vulnerable have been kept safe and supported in their homes by an army of volunteers who have helped with a variety of tasks, shopping, delivering food parcels, delivering prescriptions, dog walking and just being a friendly voice at the end of a telephone. All of these have been essential to ensure people remain safe and well.”

She continued: “Volunteers from Age UK, Citizens Advice, Food Banks and the community response groups and more carry out thousands of tasks every day, providing the essential connections needed in times of crisis.

“Dorset is very special in that we are lucky to have a high number of people volunteering and this crisis has really shown how much people care”.

Volunteer Centre Dorset has passed on letters of thanks to volunteers and community response groups from Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council portfolio holder for adult social care and health, and the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset to recognise the contribution of Dorset volunteers throughout the pandemic.

For more information please email info@volunteeringdorset.org.uk or visit www.volunteeringdorset.org.uk.