A vital volunteering matchmaking service in Kingston has been recommissioned today (April 11), ensuring residents, charities and community groups will be able to benefit from its services for the next three years.

Volunteering Kingston works with residents, students or those employed in the borough to better access volunteering opportunities which provides critical support to charitable and community organisations with ongoing projects.

Kingston Council, has today granted Groundwork London - a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK - the green light to recommission Volunteering Kingston, meaning the project will continue to run  from April 1st 2023 to 31st March 2026, with options to go to 31st March 2027 and 2028.

Between 2018 and 2023, the volunteering service has worked to develop strong partnerships with local groups across the borough and played a leading role in supporting volunteers during the pandemic.

Sarah Whitby, Community Operations Manager at Groundwork London, said: "Volunteering Kingston is committed to creating a positive impact by continuing to play a vital role in bringing the community together and creating meaningful connections through volunteering.

"We're delighted our stewardship of Volunteering Kingston since 2018 has been recognised by the new commission, and we look forward to further expanding opportunities and enhancing the experience volunteering gives all those who get involved."

Through the recommissioning, Volunteering Kingston has revealed it plans to introduce new services including 'pop-up' and outreach activities in new areas, fresh opportunities for new and prospective volunteers and one-to-one training and best practice advice slots for organisations working with volunteers.

Leader of Kingston Council, Andreas Kirsch added: "Empowering people and strengthening our communities is a key focus for the council, and volunteering can play a vital role in this. The power of volunteers and volunteering has been clearly demonstrated in the local response to both the Covid pandemic and the current Cost of Living crisis.

"We are committed to supporting Kingston to be a thriving borough where opportunities to get involved in volunteering and make a real difference to your local community are accessible to all."

For more information on Kingston Volunteering's work within the borough, as well as details on volunteering opportunities, visit the project's website HERE.