Tom Gordon calls for more support for charity and volunteer sector
Tom Gordon, Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has called for more support for third sector voluntary organisations. He today visited Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) to talk about the opportunities available for volunteering in the constituency and the work they do to improve and work with the community.
Prior to being elected, Tom has worked in a number of charity roles, including for JDRF - The Type 1 diabetes charity. He also previously worked for the Carers Trust.
Tom discussed HADCA’s programs, such as the fully searchable Where to Turn Directory, which provides which connects people with supportive organisations, the Help out Harrogate program, aiming to get people volunteering with local organisations and in the community, and Community Fit project, which encourages people to get physically active and volunteer as part of a group. The other services available via their website include help with the cost of living.
With the cost-of-living crisis still ongoing, HADCA have connected people with community support from organisations like Resurrected Bites and local food banks that have become essential to many people, encouraging people to get involved and volunteer their time to support our community.
Commenting, Tom said:
“The work that HADCA do is absolutely essential. Charities often rely on volunteers to assist their essential work, and HADCA’s work in helping this is invaluable.
“The help and contacts available via their website is an invaluable, and if anyone is looking for assistance, regardless of what it is, or want to help out in the local community, in whatever capacity, I would encourage them to head over to their website and make use of their resources.
“My time working in the charity sector taught me a lot about the important work that charities do, as I helped to facilitate the work of JDRF and the Carer’s Trust. To have an organisation bringing the whole community together to support charities and the local community is absolutely wonderful.
“I look forward to working with HADCA, and the multitude of charities in Harrogate and Knaresborough, to improve our constituency and people’s lives here.”
HADCA’s CEO, Frances Elliot, added:
“We welcome Tom coming to meet with us as our new Member of Parliament. We look forward to his support and working with him. We hope that together we can continue to make a difference for the people of Harrogate and help make our area an even better place to live.”
ENDS
Here is a list of links mentioned in the Press Release:
https://hadca.org.uk/wheretoturn
https://hadca.org.uk/HelpOutHarrogate