Brighton & Hove’s first ever BME volunteer fair - Trust for Developing Communities

On Saturday 16th March 2019 we enjoyed hosting Brighton & Hove’s first ever BME Volunteer Fair at the BMECP in central Brighton. In partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, the Department of Health and Sussex Interpreting Services the aim was to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to volunteer across the city.

The event was a great success with almost 200 people coming along to find out how they might volunteer for good causes across the city. Visitors were able to talk face-to-face with representatives from a wide range of organisations, ask questions directly and be inspired by the many different opportunities available.

With something for everyone, it was fantastic to hear about the wide range of volunteering roles on offer - from festival greeter at the Brighton Festival to becoming a school governor, from staffing helplines for the Survivors’ Network to becoming a mentor with the Terrence Higgins Trust, from foreign language interpreting to volunteering to deliver books from their local library. And so many more opportunities besides these. The Sussex police were there on the day too talking about employment opportunities and their commitment to diversity in recruitment and the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were in attendance encouraging people to register for free fire safety advice.

Volunteering can be of huge benefit to individuals – it can lead to developing and improving skills, gaining work experience, and meeting new people as well as making a contribution to a great cause that means something to them. And whether it’s a one-off event or a more long-term commitment, the time donated by volunteers makes a huge difference to charities and communities all over the city.

"I would like to give back to the society and community I live in. I found the fair very resourceful and inspiring, motivating me to get involved in volunteering and to help others."

BME volunteer fair attendee

Attendees enjoyed free refreshments and the chance to gather plenty of practical advice and information. Those travelling to the event by bus were able to claim a free bus ticket thanks to a generous donation from the Brighton & Hove Bus Company who also helped us spread the word about the fair.

Many thanks to everyone who came, whether as an individual looking for volunteer opportunities, an organisation offering them, or indeed one of our own volunteers who made sure everything ran smoothly on the day.

Scroll down for a list of organisations who attended the BME volunteer fair.

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