The first ever Rotary Community Corps in Great Britain and Ireland has been chartered in Malmesbury, sponsored by Click 4 Action eRotary. A Community Corps is a group of people who want to help their local communities but are not Rotarians. Sponsored by a local Rotary club, they plan and carry out work in their communities and support Rotary club projects.
Rotarian Ray Sanderson, who is leading the Community Corps said: “The idea is to build on Rotary’s ability to develop a base of volunteers who can undertake projects that will make a difference in local communities. In Malmesbury, we’ve set up the group to help with flood defences and to work in partnership with Churches Together to establish a foodbank. We are currently repairing the roof and redecorating the foodbank building ready for opening. We hope that this pilot group will encourage other Rotary clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland to start more of these volunteer project groups.”
There are currently 15 members of the new group and it is hoped that more people will come forward in the long term when they see the difference that the volunteers are making to the lives of local people. President of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI), Nan McCreadie said: “I am delighted that our first ever Community Corps has been established in Malmesbury. This is a groundbreaking move as these groups are a great way for people to volunteer their time and effort and support Rotary, whilst at the same time finding out more about what we do.”
Rotary Community Corps is an official programme of Rotary International and part of the Rotary family. There are currently more than 7,500 Community Corps in over 80 countries, all making a difference in local communities.
