Issue 17 | Spring 2003

Pictured right:
Huyton Today reporters with Mike Leonard from Knowsley CVS.

 Your Community Needs You!

The Council of Voluntary Services organisation, which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, is calling for more volunteers. Mike Leonard, Operations Manager for the CVS, spoke to Huyton Today reporters Daniel Finn and Chloe Hakkesteeg to explain the CVS’s work.

The CVS is an umbrella organisation formed and run by local voluntary and community groups. It exists to promote the effectiveness of Voluntary Action by providing information, advice and training whilst promoting partnership between voluntary and statutory sectors.

As Mike explained, “The Volunteer Bureau is now looking for retired people, unemployed people or anyone with spare time to offer their skills to the community. In return, volunteers can expect to receive training to enhance their skills.”

Our reporters asked Mike to reflect on recent achievements with the CVS.

“I am particularly pleased with our leisure and training complex called Stephen Park. This facility offers conference, training and ICT facilities to voluntary organisations and their clients. The unique feature of the complex is its wonderful location in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. We are extremely grateful to the National Lottery who awarded us a huge grant in order to carry out refurbishment and to the New Opportunities Fund which awarded a further grant enabling us to equip the ICT Learning Centre,” he said.

The past year has seen considerable success for the Knowsley CVS. If you think you have the time or skills to offer your services as a volunteer contact the Knowsley Volunteer Bureau on 0151 443 2098 or visit the web site at www.knowsleycvs.org.uk.