A County Durham charity has made an urgent appeal for volunteers ahead of its most difficult year yet, due to the "devastating" impact of the cost of living crisis.
East Durham Trust, based at Community House, Peterlee, runs services and projects aiming to help the community fight disadvantage across East Durham. Volunteers make up and deliver food parcels, offer telephone befriending for the socially isolated, help those in debt, and support people to get the benefits they are entitled to.
And the charity is now in urgent need of volunteers to continue running its services, from food crisis volunteers to telephone befrienders, to debt and benefits advisors. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity supported thousands of individuals impacted by the pandemic, running a food bank and people's takeaway service, which directors say became a lifeline for many.
The current cost of living crisis has resulted in a rapid uptake for people using the East Durham Trust's services, and it has now launched a campaign 'Your Community Needs You' in order to cope with demand.
Graham Easterlow, CEO, said: "Volunteers are the life blood of community activities in East Durham. Together they provide thousands of hours of support to vital services.
"From helping out in the local community centre to providing high skilled debt support volunteering is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for people to give back to their community. We would encourage anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch today."
For more information on volunteering with East Durham Trust, visit the charity's website or call 0191 569 5311.
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