2,000 over-50s volunteers from CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) are preparing to engage over 10,000 older people in this year’s ‘Get Active’ campaign - a week of special events throughout the UK.
Get Active Week takes place from 2Oth-27th June this year and aims to provide thousands of people, who may be housebound or isolated, with company and companionship. CSV also hopes to encourage many of those aged 50-plus to join the charity’s RSVP programme and become volunteers themselves.
200 events will take place throughout the UK, ranging from tea dances and special theatre nights, to coach trips to the seaside.
Over 2,000 RSVP volunteers from CSV will be involved in the activities. Many of them say that volunteering keeps their minds active and helps to combat the loneliness that can sometimes accompany retirement or old age.
An RSVP project in Stonebridge in London was created in 1989 following the tragic discovery of an elderly man who had been left dead in his flat in Stonebridge for four years. Since that time, the volunteers have worked to combat isolation in the local area and throughout the UK.
Anyone wishing to volunteer for RSVP should contact Tel: 020 7643 1384.
Further press information: Martin Walford or Jason Tanner on 020 7643 1338/1428 or 07941 433598
Notes for Editors:
1.) CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK’s leading volunteer organisation and creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 129,000 people give 3.8 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV. See www.csv.org.uk
2.) Each year 8,000 older people volunteer through CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP), giving 1.4 million volunteer hours and using their skills and experience to make a positive contribution to their community.
For further press information, photos, case studies: Martin Walford, CSV Press officer, 020 7643 1338, Email: mwalford@csv.org.uk or Jason Tanner 020 7643 1428, mobile 07941 433 598.