Volunteers' Market set to return to Stockton

More than 20 local voluntary and charity organisations will be at a special market taking place in Stockton on Wednesday, June 1.

This year's event, Valuable Volunteers: A Stockton-on-Tees Celebration, looks to recognise and celebrate the contribution volunteers have made to the Borough. Volunteers can drop in and enjoy a bit of self-care, listen to live music, test their knowledge with a quiz or even take part in volunteering speed dating.

People interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer will be able to visit the marquee on Stockton High Street to browse the information stalls, between 9.30am to 3pm.

The market is free to attend and will offer information on a variety of interesting volunteering opportunities, and the chance to join a volunteer led health walk or litter pick. Refreshments will be available from the Lighthouse Coffee Shop's stall.

The market, which is taking place during National Volunteers' Week, aims to celebrate the contributions of volunteers and raise awareness of the work being done in the local community by voluntary organisations.

Councillor Norma Stephenson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, said: "Whether you're a regular volunteer or interested in getting involved, come along to the Volunteers' Market to find out more about all the opportunities across the Borough.

"Volunteering also offers so much to the individual, helping people learn new skills, meet others and gain a sense of satisfaction from giving back. I'm so grateful to all the volunteers who help support local organisations and work hard to improve their local areas."

Jon Carling, Chief Executive of Catalyst, said: "Volunteers play a huge part in day-to-day life in Stockton-on-Tees, supporting vulnerable people, sustaining the environment, and gaining skills and fulfilment while they do so. This event will be a celebration of everything that they do, and an opportunity for even more people to get involved in volunteering."

The Stockton-on-Tees Volunteers website features many of the volunteering opportunities across the Borough and also includes valuable information on how people with disabilities, over 65s and refugees and asylum seekers can also get involved in volunteering.

The Volunteers' Market is organised by Catalyst and supported by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Catalyst provides support to over 300 organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Stockton-on-Tees. Find out more on the Catalyst website.

For more information about the market visit the Volunteers' Market page of the Enjoy Tees Valley website.

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