Eastwood Volunteer Bureau to host open afternoon with all things volunteering in mind
Interested in volunteering? Then Eastwood Volunteer Bureau wants to hear from you.
As part of National Volunteer week, the bureau is hosting an open afternoon with all things volunteering in mind on Thursday, June 4 between 12noon and 2pm where visitors can enjoy tea and scones and learn a little more about helping in the local community.
All are welcome to pop in and find out more in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Eastwood Volunteer Bureau is a registered charity celebrating more than 40 years of supporting the north Broxtowe community.
It has evolved to offer three vital local services – a food bank, a befriending scheme, and a transport scheme.
With only four part-time employees, the bureau relies heavily on more than 45 volunteers who help deliver its services and is always on the lookout for more volunteers, it has a busy schedule.
Husband and wife Colin and Yvonne Hawthorne said: “We very much enjoy the volunteering we do, and it means we meet lots of people and keep busy.
"We also wanted to share the skills and knowledge we have developed over the years.
"We have made some lovely friends doing these different roles and learnt lots of new stuff as well.”
The transport scheme carried out more than 400 trips in the first three months of 2026 and more requests are received each week.
Ten volunteer drivers and one part-time co-ordinator manage this service which provides low-cost transport for journeys to doctors, hospital, shopping or visiting friends.
Adam, one of the scheme users, said: “Without (driver) Andrew I would not be able to work and I’m very pleased he’s available to drive me.”
The befriending scheme currently has 13 volunteers who visit 18 registered clients.
Some have become lifelong friends and visit both male and female clients regularly.
Age is not a barrier, and both young and the-not-so-young volunteers visit these lonely and vulnerable people making a real difference to their lives.
Kate, one of the volunteer befrienders, said: “I do this for myself really, and the bonus is I meet some lovely people along the way.
"On a Tuesday, I take Alan to his favourite pub in Ilkeston for an hour.
"We put the world to rights and he enjoys a pint and reminisces about old times.
"I enjoy it as much as he does.”
On a Friday each week, volunteers hand out up to 40 food parcels to those registered on the food bank scheme.
Not only are the volunteers vital in providing this service but the generous donations of the community also ensure the food bank continues to be well stocked.
Users must register for the food bank and a simple, confidential disposable income review is carried out in-house.
Emergency food parcels are possible by dropping into the food bank on Fridays between 9am and 11am and an appointment to register will be organised at the same time.
Jackie, one of the food bank volunteers, said: “It feels so good to know we’re making a difference to people’s lives.”
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and Food Bank on 01773 535255 or visit eastwoodvb.org.uk
To register for any of the schemes, call the same number between 9am and 3pm for more information or complete the online form.