Amid the every-growing demand on charities and community hubs, Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) has urged the people of Sheffield to volunteer in support of vital organisations.

A volunteering fair, held at The Circle in Sheffield, gave 20 organisations the opportunity to connect with and recruit volunteers.

Kate Ireland, 44, a VAS Volunteer Advisor from North Sheffield, said: “Many of the charities we support do a job that would otherwise not happen. They fill the gaps in our community’s needs and offer vital help to people when they need it most.”

“Getting involved in community projects is a huge part of what gives us an identity as Sheffielder’s and makes the city a welcoming, fun and thriving place to live,” she said.

VAS delivers guidance and support on the cost of living crisis, particularly around the unaffordability of necessities. 

With additional volunteers working for these services, the goal is that more effective resources can be provided to the people that rely on them. 

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Alongside the hands-on work of VAS, as an anti-racist organisation they also focus on eliminating inequality through encouraging organisations to consider everyone’s needs.

According to the Voluntary Action Sheffield In Numbers 2021 report, 280 community groups were supported, including 141 groups whereby underrepresented, low income people were prioritised.

Barbara Russell, 52, Business Development Manager of Longley Four Greens Community Centre, said: “The Longley Estate is in the bottom 5% of the poverty indices in the whole of the UK.”

Ms Russells’ role involves developing services which alleviate the health and social inequality of people in the city.

She said: “We are reaching a point where it is becoming increasingly difficult for groups to access food provisions, which ultimately means not everyone will be able to be serviced.

“The fact that so many food banks exist that are so heavily reliant on donations and support from volunteers shows that society is banding together to respond to the cost of living crisis in the UK.”

The Sheffield Cost of Living Crisis Map of Support created by VAS highlights the specific areas where volunteering is needed and where support can be found for people in need.

The purpose of these charities range from offering specialist support to people living with health issues to providing food and necessities.

To find out more about available opportunities visit the Voluntary Action Sheffield and Longley 4G websites.