Rowan celebrates Volunteers’ Week

Local charity Rowan will celebrate the immense contribution made by volunteers and thanking them for their time and dedication during this year’s Volunteers’ Week, which runs from 1-7 June.

Volunteers play a huge part in all aspects of the Cambridge-based charity, which supports adults with learning disabilities through a range of creative workshops. As well as supporting workshops in textiles, ceramics and print, volunteers also help at fundraising events including Rowan’s annual art exhibition.

And the stories of some of those volunteers will be featured on Rowan’s social media platforms and website over the special week.

‘This is a great opportunity to give a heartfelt “thank you” to all of our volunteers,’ says Deputy Director of Operations Abi Moore. ‘Rowan was badly hit by the Covid-19 crisis and our volunteers are crucial to us getting back to business as usual. After a long break, we’ve managed to reopen the Rowan building to student artists. Next we’re looking forward to restarting our in-person fundraising events so we can keep doing our vital work.’

Judy Fox has volunteered with Rowan since 2019 and describes the experience as ‘very positive and life-enhancing’. Judy volunteers in the wood workshop, and although she originally came to help produce handmade commissions, she has since become involved in supporting the student artists too. ‘The students at Rowan are diverse in their skills, attitudes and ages. The common factor is their pleasure at being involved with arts projects in the company of other friendly people,’ says Judy. ‘The overall feeling is one of sociability and inclusion. I come away with a skip in my step after a day here. I couldn’t recommend being a volunteer highly enough.’