THE Sun today launches our Christmas appeal – and calls on YOU, our army of generous readers, to help out.
We are asking if you could give the gift of volunteering with our Helping Hands at Christmas campaign.
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas met Royal Voluntary Service volunteers to launch our Helping Hands at Christmas campaign
HOAR has teamed up with the Royal Voluntary Service in our Helping Hands campaign
We have teamed up with Royal Voluntary Service, which is at the front line in communities across Britain, with teams of volunteers providing vital support to thousands of vulnerable people.
And with the cost of living crisis biting hard this winter, its services — including lunch and social clubs where older people can enjoy a hot meal, company and a warm place to spend the day — are a lifeline.
Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities, with volunteers supporting the NHS and thousands of vulnerable people throughout Britain.
As well as lunch and social clubs, the charity also works in communities providing patient transport, offering companionship support and running hospital shops and trolleys.
There are many jobs you could do in your area, from making companionship phone calls to driving someone to and from a hospital appointment or social club.
The charity also runs the NHS Volunteer Responders programme for NHS England with the GoodSAM app, with Steward volunteers supporting at Covid vaccination sites.
To kick off our appeal, Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas met Royal Voluntary Service volunteers to learn about what a difference it makes.
She said: “I’m so excited to support HOAR’s Christmas campaign and meet so many people who give up their time to help.
“At this time of year it’s very difficult for some people to be able to give financially.
“But I do feel that people can dig deep in their heart and give us their time.
“It may only be a few hours. It could be visiting the elderly or somebody who doesn’t have anybody. There are so many different ways that we can give our time.”
Shirley, 62, joined a group of hard-working volunteers in South East London and got everyone in the party spirit by popping open a bottle of fizz as they enjoyed lunch, including Christmas pud and mince pies.
For volunteers Shirley Hill and Angela Marchant it was a treat to be waited on for a change.
The feisty pair met at Royal Voluntary Service’s Chesham House community centre in Lancing, West Sussex, which provides social activities and events for local people.
Sprightly Shirley, 84, helps to cheer up those who attend the centre — many of whom are struggling to pay their heating and electricity bills.
She said: “I serve the meals to the elderly — and some of them are younger than me.”
The retired Woolworths worker began volunteering after her husband died three years ago.
She said: “It’s given me confidence again. Volunteering helps to keep me young.”
Strictly’s Shirley praised the older Shirley for giving up her time to help others.
Fellow volunteer Angela, 62, a mum of three, had to give up work as a hairdresser after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just before her 50th birthday.
She said: “You can’t let things change you. I was always doing something, so I had to find what I could do.
“This is the best thing I could have ever done. My husband calls it my second home.
“To anyone thinking about volunteering, I’d say just get out there and try it.”
Abbey Bennett, from Islington, North London, volunteers for the Cornhill Companions in Banbury, Oxon, where she used to live.
She makes regular calls to her clients in the community, including widowed Maureen, 85.
Abbey, 29, who works in recruitment for a tech firm, said: “Often my friends say ‘I couldn’t do that because I’m no good at making conversation’ or ‘I don’t have the time’ but it doesn’t have to be every day.
“Sometimes we just text or email.
“I’ve never met Maureen but it shows you can build a long-term friendship.
“You don’t have to volunteer face to face for people in your area.”
The charity’s NHS Volunteer Responders programme has seen Steward volunteers supporting at Covid vaccination sites.
In March last year Shirley volunteered for HOAR’s Jabs Army at a vaccination centre in East Dulwich, South East London.
She said: “Giving my time to that was just fantastic, so I implore everybody out there to do the same.”
Luke Elkins, from Hemel Hempstead, Herts, volunteered throughout the pandemic at his local hospital, helping with tea rounds and delivering gifts to patients from relatives who were unable to visit.
Luke, 30, fits it in around his job as a production assistant on TV shows and films, and encouraged other people his age to try volunteering.
He said: “I know volunteers much younger than me who are studying for degrees in things like biomedical science.
“They’re the future doctors, so if they have time, everyone can make time.”
Strictly’s Shirley revealed she is due to take time off after the final, which airs just before Christmas.
She is looking forward to spending the big day with her mum Audrey, partner Danny Taylor and son Mark, a professional dancer who recently won America’s version of Strictly.
She said: “This Christmas will be the first time that I will take two weeks off with my son, to ensure that my mental health is in place because of so much trolling during the year on the run of Strictly.”
Shirley also met NHS Volunteer Responder Steward David Goring-Morris, 62, from Ealing, West London, a member of the 100 Club — created to honour those who have completed 100 or more volunteer shifts.
And just before everyone headed home, David, who worked for marketing and corporate communications company Omnicom before retiring, plucked up the courage to ask for a quick selfie with Shirley to show to his children who have “grown up watching Strictly”.
He said with a grin: “My kids will be like ‘holy smoke’ when they see this.”
Shirley poses with Shirley Hill, 84, a retired Woolworths worker who began volunteering after her husband died three years ago
Royal Voluntary Service is one of UK’s largest volunteering charities
Shirley revealed she is due to take time off after the Strictly final, which airs just before Christmas
