On Volunteers’ Week, Barking and Dagenham Council has paid tribute to the army of people who give up their time to help out across the borough.

This celebration is a chance to thank every volunteer, the importance of whom has been really highlighted during this coronavirus pandemic.

The council currently has 483 active volunteers who have given a total of 28,524 hours of their time, with 29 of those using their acquired skills to move into full-time employment.

Councillor Sade Bright, cabinet member for employment, skills and aspiration, said: ”I would like to appreciate the hundreds of local people who give of their time volunteering in a number of roles across our borough, supporting our most vulnerable residents.”

A further 360 residents have also signed up to a new Covid-19 volunteer scheme.

To register an interest in volunteering with the council, please click here.