SUPPORTERS of the Knutsford Hosts, the town-wide community volunteering pilot scheme, have given their enthusiastic backing to the project.

Knutsford Hosts gives people the opportunity to train as community volunteers to represent the town and, at no cost to themselves, they will gain the nationally recognised Award in Community Volunteering.

This qualification will be of use to young people building up their CV, out of work people keen to maintain their skills, or people who are simply keen to do something for the town.

Knutsford Heritage Centre’s Val Bryant said the Hosts was a ‘brilliant idea’.

“This scheme is just what Knutsford needs – the heritage centre is 100 per cent behind the scheme,” she added.

Great Places Housing Group is also backing the Knutsford Hosts scheme.

“The scheme offers our residents multiple benefits: coaching, basic skills and training alongside the boost to confidence and self-esteem,” said Alexandra Barker, community development co-ordinator.

“The varied voluntary placements, roles and links the scheme provides allows residents to be empowered and confident in the fact that they can make a difference to their own community.

“It allows volunteers to explore a wide array of different opportunities and experience the wealth of groups Knutsford offers before (or instead) of committing to one route.”

Knutsford Hosts is being project managed by Sarah Flannery and Norma Young.

“My background lies in charity development and volunteer management and, having known Sarah for some time, I’m very excited at the prospect of working on the Knutsford Hosts pilot,” Norma said.

“It’s a really innovative approach to community volunteering and should be great for the Knutsford Hosts partners, the Hosts themselves and the entire town.”

Kane Gunter, Community Spirit chairman and secretary of Knutsford GROW, said everything is in place for the Open Day.

“Saturday is a great opportunity for people to call in to the Welcome or Heritage Centre and find out more about the Knutsford Hosts,” he added.

The Knutsford Hosts Open Day takes place on Saturday at the Welcome Cafe from 10am until noon and in the afternoon, at the Knutsford Heritage Centre from 2pm-5pm.

Visit knutsfordhosts.co.uk for more information.

Caption: Project manager Sarah Flannery and Knutsford Town Clr Mike Houghton promoting the Knutsford Hosts

Article published in the Knutsford Guardian. Photo courtesy of Juno Photographic