Crunch time for volunteer centre

10:39am Monday 3rd December 2007

Adur District Council will shortly reach a decision about whether to participate in an initiative to help build a strong, sustainable countywide network of volunteer centres.

This could include a small central "hub" to work for the benefit of the whole network, and take on common tasks, plus a volunteer centre in Adur.

The proposal draws on funding from the West Sussex public service board, primary care trust and West Sussex County Council.

It stems from a great deal of work by the West Sussex councils for voluntary service network (councils for voluntary service work to support voluntary action all over the county).

The arrangements mean there would be no cost to Adur District Council for 2008-09, when Adur's volunteer centre would open, and the precise cost from 2009-10 is still negotiable. But we need to be at the table.

At Adur Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) we consult regularly with our member groups - all the major voluntary and charitable organisations, and many smaller ones.

We organise network meetings and forums to discuss common challenges.

Over the past two years, the need for more volunteers has emerged top of the list. This is the single most effective way we can support our voluntary sector.

We accept there will never be sufficient public funding to meet all needs. Initiative and self-reliance are important. This is why so many groups are trying to strengthen themselves by generating income or recruiting more volunteers.

Here at Adur CVS, we want to be able to offer support for volunteering because volunteers are the present and future of our voluntary sector, and because people benefit so much from their experiences as volunteers.

Adur District Council believes in principle in the value of volunteering and councillors are very active in our communities.

But principle has to be translated into practice.

The proposal that is on the table would strengthen us all and create our own volunteer centre here in Adur.

If Adur District Council cannot find a way to back this it would be a missed opportunity.

Those involved in Adur CVS' organisation are watching closely for Adur District Council's decision.

• Adrian Barritt, Adur Council for Voluntary Service

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