Caring for Communities and People (CCP), is launching a new campaign to mobilise a new wave of volunteers across Dorset to assist in its mission to prevent homelessness, family breakdown and social exclusion.   

The initiative, 'Be There', is a 'call-to-arms' to encourage people of different ages and backgrounds to step up and play a principal role in helping to deliver crisis and preventative services to families and in, or about to enter, crisis.   

Volunteering opportunities through 'Be There' range from befriending parents who feel isolated and overwhelmed, supporting parents and children within the family setting with routines and practical support, and engaging children and young people who are in need of mentors.

Volunteer recruitment has become increasingly difficult in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with national studies suggesting that volunteer numbers have dwindled to as little as half pre-pandemic in some traditional volunteer activities. CCP hopes that through 'Be There' a new generation of 'good neighbours' steps forward to help tackle the concerning rise in poverty, family breakdown and loneliness.   

Daniel Chun, Director of Social Value and Engagement said, 'CCP has an excellent track record of recruiting, training, and deploying volunteers to meet the existing and emerging community needs that we are all concerned about. We know families are struggling more than ever, and volunteers allow us to reach more people, as early as possible. It has been much tougher to recruit since the end of lockdown, and we know that people in general are struggling to manage within the grip of the cost-of-living crisis. However, we urge that volunteering is simply the act of 'being a good neighbour' and that for a few hours per week volunteers can make a tremendous difference to a family who are isolated and struggling to receive the support they need.' 

To get started, a simple form is available to complete at http://www.ccp.org.uk/volunteering and the CCP Volunteering Coordinator will be in touch within two working days. Training is offered, as well as ongoing support.