Local volunteers prepare to deliver Christmas hampers to older people across South Wales

Teams of local volunteers in South Wales are hard at work packing up hampers of seasonal eats and treats, ready to hand-deliver them to older people in need.

Thanks to support from the Asda Foundation, volunteers from Royal Voluntary Service, the national volunteering charity, will be hand-delivering hampers packed with festive fayre to people that are supported by the charity at home and in the community. 

Karyn Morris, Commissioned Services Operations Manager for Royal Voluntary Service in South Wales, said:

“Loneliness can be a real problem for those without family or friends nearby, particularly older people, at Christmas.  In recent years, generous funding from the Asda Foundation has meant that our volunteers have been able to deliver over 8,000 hampers to older people in need in local communities across Great Britain.  These hampers are so much more than just a basket of treats – delivering them by hand provides an opportunity for our volunteers to stop, have a chat and check on clients, reminding them that there is someone looking out for them during the Christmas period.”

Annmarie Rocks, Senior Co-ordinator at the Asda Foundation, said:

“This year the Asda Foundation celebrates 30 years of supporting charities and good causes to transform their communities and improve the lives of local people. We’re proud to be supporting Royal Voluntary Service with its Christmas hamper deliveries again this year.  As well as providing a little Christmas cheer, it’s the time volunteers take to chat with clients that really makes the difference.”

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers aren’t the only people giving their time to support others this Christmas.  According to new research by the charity, over nine million (17%) adults in Great Britain are considering volunteering over the festive period, with 1.2 million intending to volunteer on Christmas Day itself.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 20,000 volunteers supporting thousands of people each month in hospitals, at home and in the community.  The simple acts of kindness volunteers provide help make communities stronger and relieve the pressure on overstretched public services.  The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes, shops and trolleys providing a valued haven in hospitals.