4:36pm Thursday 30th October 2008
By Citizen letters
Tuesday 28 October was national Make a Difference Day, but I’d like to invite readers to make a difference for a whole week this winter.
I work for a charity called Vitalise, which runs an accessible holiday centre for disabled adults and carers, called Vitalise Sandpipers in Southport. The people who come here always tell me just how desperately important a break is in their lives. Even one week a year can make the difference between coping and despair.
I would like to invite readers to spend a week of their time, or just the odd day, helping our guests have a much-needed break.
We are open all year round, but we especially need people to come and help during the winter months.
We welcome volunteers from age 16 upwards and there is no upper age limit. As long as you are reasonably fit and active, your enthusiasm and warmth is all you need to have a memorable week. 99 per cent of our volunteers told us they found their time with us rewarding and useful.
Mancunian Alan Pennington, a volunteer at Vitalise Sandpipers, said: “I wanted something worthwhile to do and heard about this place. I love it - it doesn’t matter what age or nationality you are, we all get on, it’s fantastic, unbelievable.”
Our volunteers get a real boost from helping others. Mancunian Alan Pennington said: “I needed something to do and heard about this place. I love it - it doesn’t matter what age or nationality you are, we all get on, it’s fantastic, unbelievable.”
Volunteering for Vitalise is tremendous fun and a fantastic opportunity for you to put your skills and experience to good use and make new friends from all over the world. There is no long-term commitment and all your accommodation, food, travel and insurance is free, so why not give us a call and try it out?
For more information or an informal chat, please call me on 01704 538 388 or visit www.vitalise.org.uk. Make a difference this winter!
Chris Ashcroft, Vitalise Sandpipers, www.vitalise.org.uk
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