June is Communities Month and last week I was proud to be part of the launch of the Royal Borough of Kingston’s new volunteering strategy 2025-29, led by Volunteering Kingston.
Volunteers are at the heart of our communities and I’m incredibly proud of Kingston’s long-standing volunteering culture.
So many people across the borough selflessly give up their time to work alongside and support communities.
There are more than 450 charities and community groups across the Royal Borough of Kingston, and over 15,000 local people volunteer.
Their contributions help create a fairer, safer, greener borough, shaping services and stimulating new approaches to meet the needs of our residents.
Communities Month is an important time to come together and celebrate all the people who help build community resilience and make the borough a fairer, safer, greener place to live - many of whom do so on a voluntary basis.
This week is also Carers’ Week.
Caring is not something people shout about, it’s something many people do quietly and it is part of life for thousands of people across the borough.
This Carers Week, we’re recognising and celebrating the contributions carers make to our communities, supporting some of the most vulnerable people.
We also recognise the importance of making support easier to find.
Support is available across the borough if you're juggling care with everything else.
Connected Kingston helps you find local activities, services and support.
Whether you're looking after a parent, partner or friend, there are links to trusted advice, local carers' services, mental health support and more: connectedkingston.uk/categories/carers
Our volunteers and carers deserve a huge amount of thanks and recognition for all they do.
Later this month we will be coming together at the Celebrating Communities Awards, in partnership with Kingston Voluntary Action, to celebrate those who make a real difference to the lives of others.
The awards will take place at All Saints Church on 26 June.
Sponsored by Places Leisure, they will recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of volunteers and communities across the borough in seven categories.
Across our neighbourhoods we see daily examples of the inspiring work and contributions of local people and groups who make a real difference to our communities.
I want to thank all the borough’s volunteers and carers for all you do each day, often unseen.
You embody everything I am most proud of in our borough.
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