I was recently delighted to open Woking’s Voluntary Sector Fair – this event saw hundreds of visitors flock to Woking Leisure Centre to discover what support and volunteering opportunities are available in the Borough.

Now in its third year, this year’s event was the biggest yet with over 80 local organisations and community groups represented. The fair provides visitors with the chance to speak to experienced volunteers about the benefits of voluntary work, while also learning about what health and wellbeing support they can access locally.

The fair originally started as a networking event for the voluntary sector to promote collaboration and co-ordination.

Woking has a thriving voluntary sector and many incredible volunteers who help make our Borough the caring and inclusive place that it is. Despite the Council’s difficult financial situation, we remain committed to supporting and promoting the voluntary sector and the Voluntary Sector Fair is a good example of this.

I enjoyed meeting and thanking all stallholders and many visitors. Once again, it’s been a really productive event and I hope it leads to lots of really positive and rewarding opportunities and experiences for everyone.

95 per cent of visitors to the Voluntary Sector Fair said they would recommend the event due to the “great variety” of stalls and the “very welcoming and knowledgeable” staff and volunteers.