VOLUNTARY groups will be meeting in Crediton on March 25 to discuss how to encourage more people to become involved in their activities.

The Crediton and District Voluntary Groups Forum is convened by Involve, which supports voluntary and community groups throughout Mid Devon.

Involve’s Chief Officer Duncan Wood said: “Volunteers are being expected to do more and more with less and less time, and we can’t rely on things going on as they were. So it’s time for everyone to think outside the box. People are also working longer!”

The meeting will be an opportunity to get advice and support on finding, training and keeping volunteers, and to network with others who also have similar interests and needs.

The keynote speaker will be Sue Snell, who has worked in the voluntary sector for over ten years in a range of roles, most lately for Devon In Sight, and previously as Volunteer Coordinator for Involve.

Mark Bailey, Convenor of the Forum, said: “The Forum provides a great opportunity for local groups to come together to chat and network – so often we don’t know what everyone else is doing and how. With a quick chat, suddenly we can improve the services we offer and refer people to all sorts of useful links.”

Volunteers make possible a huge range of services and activities in the local area, including the local Food Bank, the Museum, Charity Shops, and even the local Bookshop, as well as working behind the scenes supporting local people in many ways.

An outstanding recent example of local volunteering was Sustainable Crediton’s High Street Give and Take Shop.

Over a fortnight, 26 volunteers took in seven metric tonnes of bric a brac kindly donated by local people, only five per cent of which went to landfill after over 7,000 visitors had taken their pick. And donations raised nearly £500 for Sustainable Crediton’s funds.

Esther Mann, who managed the Pop Up Shop for Sustainable Crediton, said: “It was great fun when all that stuff arrived, and so many people came to support us. So it was hugely satisfying. We’re now looking for ways to do more. And we always need more volunteers!”

Involve also supports local voluntary organisations with funding and development advice from Crediton and District worker John Skrine.

John said: “I’m in the town, happy to come and meet you, and only a phone call or email away if you want to discuss any fundraising or development issues.”

The free Voluntary Groups Forum event starts with lunch at 1pm on March 25, with business opening at 1.45pm. and a 4pm close. It will be held at the Meadow Suite, Lords Meadow Leisure Centre, Commercial Road, Crediton.

People wishing to come are asked to email development@involve-middevon.org.uk or call John Skrine on 07814 387090.