Landmark Education News has received word of a newspaper article about a project created in Landmark’s Self-Expression and Leadership Program in the United Kingdom to increase volunteering at The Holy Family Church. Here is an abridged version of the article from The Dagenham Post.

Volunteer appeal to help strengthen community

by Sara Odeen-Isbister

A campaign has been launched by a church to recruit volunteers to help serve their parish of 1,000 people.

The Holy Family Church in Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, has seen the number of people volunteering in the parish drop significantly over the years.

As a result, those who do give up their time are having to work extra hard to cope with the 1,000-strong congregation.

The pressure could increase as imminent changes in the Diocese may lead to some churches sharing a priest.

In the hope of boosting the amount of volunteers Barbra Wilson, who helps out in a variety of roles, has launched a recruitment campaign.

Among the roles on offer are reading at mass, administration, driving elderly and disabled people to and from church and flower arranging.

Barbra believes increasing the number of volunteers will not only take pressure off the team, but also “create a more cohesive and unified community.”

Speaking to the Post, she added: “Helping out at the church is a great way of getting to know the people in your neighbourhood and making friends. I’ve been volunteering for 11 years and love it.”

She has called the drive Project 10×10. “I named it that as the intention is to increase the sense of community and number of people volunteering tenfold.”

“So far I’ve planned a fun day for October 29. I’m looking for people to come up with ideas and help out on the day.

“This will give people an idea of what it’s like to volunteer and hopefully encourage them to sign up. At the same time it will be an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.”

For more information on volunteering opportunities contact Barbra at 07832 661800.