OVER 100 volunteers from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) marked more than a decade’s worth of work in the city at a red carpet party.
The volunteers donned bow ties and celebrated in style to mark the occasion.
Part of the national charity Volunteering Matters, the RSVP has been running in Coventry since the year 2000.
In that time, the RSVP have been delivering projects tackling isolation and improving wellbeing amongst older people in Coventry by providing volunteer-led activities.
To date, well over 200 people from Asian backgrounds have been involved in various projects – starting, leading and taking part in activities ranging from knitting groups to exercise clubs.
One volunteer at the RSVP said: “This has been a wonderful way to celebrate our volunteering activity.
“Volunteering makes me feel active and useful – like I am giving to my community.
“Going out and doing things for other people who need help really makes me happy – it’s changed my life.”
Lesley Hawkins, RSVP Coventry project manager said: “Our event for volunteers and beneficiaries alike was a huge success and a wonderful way to highlight our work with older people of Asian origin.
“RSVP and our volunteers have provided valuable opportunities for older people of Asian origin to develop new ways of connecting to others.
“They have all helped contribute towards making Coventry a better place in which to grow old.”
