Suzanne Fletcher's Blog

It is not every day a vision becomes a reality - and it is plus what you wanted!  Today it was though.  For many years Stockton has had no volunteer bureau for reasons not to be gone into on a happy day, and I have been determined that we would get one back - one day.  It took some doing but I did get it into one of the recommendaitons of the Select Committee group that I chaired 2 years ago that we would have one.  Nobody knew where the money or any other vital part would come from - but without the stated aim and the vision what does happen ?  By being able, by a sub group that I am on, to put some of the money from the Communities Fund to tackle worklessness into an embryo of Viva, it was able to be born and launched today. 

Viva is no ordinary volunteer bureau, it is breaking new ground in working across the board with volunteers, organisations and local businesses.  You really need to look at the website to get the full picture.   So for me it was an exciting launch, for many, many local people it is going to give opportunities to not only give time, but gain confidence and skills.  I have volunteered in numerous ways throughout all of my adult life and gained enormously by it.  I am sure that VIVA is going to be able to make a difference.  We were told to go away and tell one person about it - well I'm telling all of you!