City Mayor listens to volunteering vision

The City Mayor was quizzed by the voices of volunteering last Friday when he visited Voluntary Action LeicesterShire to meet people who give up their time to benefit others.

Volunteers from organisations such as the Alzheimers Society, the Council of Faiths and ex offender support organisation Futures Unlocked put their questions to Sir Peter Soulsby, discussing big issues like how to get more people to volunteer and what motivates them to stay volunteering.

"Volunteers are absolutely pivotal to creating cohesive communities - which is one of my key goals", said Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby. "Volunteering brings people together - people who might not normally meet - and that helps build strong, vibrant communities where residents know and care about one another."

"Volunteering is a sleeping giant. It has enormous potential, and I am looking forward to hearing volunteers' concerns and doing what I can to support them."

Kevan Liles, chief executive of Voluntary Action LeicesterShire said, "Volunteers make an amazing contribution to our City and we want to ensure that their role is recognised and valued - by politicians as well as communities."

Voluntary Action LeicesterShire provides support and guidance both to get people volunteering and to help community groups to thrive. VAL is a voice for the VCS, representing views of local groups and highlighting their achievements and potential to funders and policymakers.