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Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the contribution made by millions of people countrywide who give their time to support others. Ahead of this year’s event between June 1-7, Pulse’s Sammy Jones looked at why we should all try and give back to our community. Most of us would like to give a little time to make things better for individuals or charities if we could, right? But time is money, and money is tight. Pretty sure some of you are reading this and thinking, ‘I would, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day.’ But by making time, you’ll not only assist others, but you’ll be rewarded in other ways for your efforts. When Jan Kendall answered the call for volunteers at the school her children attended, it kick started a passion for volunteering. “I wanted to support them, and helped out in the classroom, became a..

We’re fortunate enough to be living in a part of England where this 8-year old’s dream is not only possible, it has every chance of being a reality. So why are we talking about what life here could be like in 2050? Milton Keynes is a part of an area that the Government has named the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Because of the major science and technology capabilities, the knowledge, jobs and innovation created here, the Arc is designated as a place of national economic importance. In short, this area is home to people and businesses who are tackling some of the major challenges this country – and indeed the world – faces. We need our area to succeed to help the whole country recover from economic, health and environmental slowdown. The area brings in a lot of business attention that supports our wider prosperity. But we can all point to issues..

What does it take to be High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire? Organisation and a keen community spirit are essential, George Anson told Pulse’s Sammy Jones. One wonders quite how George Anson would get on should he lose his diary. As High Sheriff, his days are filled with appointments of his own making: “If I wanted to be the laziest High Sheriff in Buckinghamshire, there are only two things I have to do,” he tells me, “The Justice Service at the beginning of the Michaelmas Quarter for all the judiciary, and the declaration ceremony where my successor gets sworn in.” But George could never be considered lazy. Quite the reverse. In fact it was his appearance at so many events that made us want to know more about the man tasked with the role in 2021. Born to an English father and Canadian mother, his family swapped life in Canada for America and..

Willen Hospice is inviting adventurous locals to join their free virtual information evening on Tuesday 7 September, to discover more about their new exciting challenge: Sahara Trek and Community Project. Departing 18 - 25 March 2023, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure will challenge people to spend two and a half days trekking across the breath-taking Sahara desert, before helping at a community project. With ancient dried up riverbeds, giant sand dunes, and vast sun-baked plains for entertainment, this trek gives people the chance to step away from technology and immerse themselves in nature, culture and adventure. After day’s walk in the heat, the group will set up camp in the desert and gather around a fire to share stories and get to know one-another. As the day draws to a close, the group will be treated to a stunning sunset followed by an unrecognisable night sky, full of stars. The walk will..

Willen Hospice has teamed up with MK Council and local retailers to bring the Big School Uniform Drop to Milton Keynes. Shoppers and members of the public will be encouraged to buy and donate a spare item of brand new uniform or stationery by placing it into the branded donation bins located in stores. The new items collected will, in turn, be resold at very low prices in Willen Hospice shops, to make uniform more affordable for local families. Mark Rawlins, Associate Director of Commercial at Willen Hospice said “We are proud to be working with MK Council who recognise the need for support in the local area and have funded the collection bins. We are also incredibly grateful to local retailers who have made available valuable floor space and in many cases already donated brand new school uniform as part of the drive. Families will be able to buy..

Local Milton Keynes based charity, The Parks Trust are currently recruiting for people to join their expanding team. If you are looking for your next venture, check out the vacancies with this exciting organisation. The Parks Trust are the self-financing charity that looks after 25% of Milton Keynes’ green space which includes parkland, woods, lakes, and river valleys. The Parks Trust employs over 70 people in a variety of roles including; Landscaping, Finance, Property, Environmental, Marketing, Outdoor Learning, Events as well as a dedicated team who run their watersports and activities at Willen Lake. Do you enjoy the outside and the green environment? Have you ever thought of a career in Landscape and Forestry? The Trust is now advertising for five different roles within their Landscaping and Operations team including; a Trainee Tractor Driver, a Landscape Maintenance and Forestry Trainee, Hard and Ground Works Trainee, Landscape Maintenance Supervisor and Hard..

Local charity Willen Hospice is hoping to give away £2,200 to one lucky winner this week in its Lottery Rollover prize draw. Each week, the Rollover amount creeps up steadily by £200 if the prize is not won. Over the past 12 weeks it has increased to the highest it’s been in the past year. Lottery Manager Louise Dela-Haye said “We are really excited to be giving away this amazing amount! It means that any one of our supporters who have bought a £1 ticket, could be in line to scoop a windfall in time for the weekend. “Our Lottery has been a vital lifeline for us, particularly throughout the pandemic when many of our fundraising events had to be cancelled or postponed. Our Lottery supporters have provided a steady stream of income that has made a huge difference to us. It’s helped us to continue caring for ill patients..

Willen Hospice is marking national Volunteers’ Week this week by saying a huge thank you to their army of volunteers who play a crucial role in their work. In a very different year to usual, the Hospice has welcomed many new volunteers, and more established volunteers have adapted their roles in many cases. The Hospice relies on volunteers to help in all areas of its work including at the Hospice supporting patients and families, in the gardens and grounds, in shops and the warehouse and by helping at fundraising activities such as bucket collecting or marshalling. This year a number of new roles have been needed, such as drivers who have been collecting much needed PPE. The Hospice team estimate that the work volunteers do equates to more than half a million pounds in saved salaries every year. As a charity that is critical. Peta Wilkinson, Chief Executive at Willen..

To coincide with World Green Roof Day (6th June), plans for Central Milton Keynes’ first, highly sustainable, “live lab” green rooftop have been announced by mixed-use developers First Base and investors Patron Capital, the team behind the new proposals for Saxon Court. In collaboration with local living roof specialists, Bridgman & Bridgman, creative agency, Pooleyville, YMCA Milton Keynes and Milton Keynes Council, the temporary project will also deliver exciting training and development opportunities for local young people. The initiative forms part of MK Council’s Green Business Recovery Fund and will draw on local, specialist expertise to demonstrate the biodiversity and carbon capture benefits of green roofs within urban areas, as well as the ability to grow food on rooftops Due to the climate emergency and growing awareness of the benefits of green roofs, the industry is looking for new, skilled workers to manage increasing demand. As part of this project,..

Over a quarter of pet owners in Milton Keynes believe their pet will put on weight due to less exercise, following easing of lockdown restrictions One in five pet owners are worried about leaving their pets alone as cinemas, restaurants and leisure open 78% of animal lovers will spend less time with their pets Milton Keynes Olympian, Gail Emms, to help raise awareness of pet wellbeing A recent survey by dog and cat wellness supplement Antinol® by Vetz Petz has revealed that one on five (21%) pet owners in Milton Keynes are worried about leaving their pets alone following the latest easing of lockdown restrictions. 78% of those surveyed in Milton Keynes and the East of England admitted that they will be spending less time at home from Monday 17 May to pursue leisure activities, such as going to restaurants (64%), bowling (7%), going to the cinema (28%), and holidaying..

During March The Parks Trust and Environment and Waste Team at MK Council launched their Litter Poster competition. They called on local 5 to 11-year olds to help them tackle the rising issue of litter by creating a brand-new poster to be displayed in their parks and across the city.  Over the last 6 weeks, they have been inundated with entries receiving over 200 posters from 29 different schools and 3 community groups. The Parks Trust and the Environment and Waste Team at MK Council found it incredibly hard to whittle down the hundreds of entries to just ten. The standard was extremely high, and they want to congratulate everyone on their posters.  The Parks Trust are now asking again for your help. They have uploaded the top ten posters to their website and would now like you to vote for your favourite. Remember, the winning entry will be displayed..

The Milton Keynes Rose is fast becoming MK’s most photographed location and nominations for new Pillar dedications unfurling more about MK’s story are being sought now. Every two years a Pillar Panel meets to look at new suggestions coming forward from the community to grow and expand what’s remembered or celebrated. For more details about how to nominate a Pillar How to Nominate a Pillar (miltonkeynesrose.org.uk) New Pillar engravings will take place in 2022, if you can think of a date significant in the lives of people or organisations associated with Milton Keynes past or present with reasons for your nomination please send this to miltonkeynesrose@gmail.com  In 2020 the new Pillars that were unveiled included, World Refugee Day in June when Milton Keynes celebrated the welcome at the heart of our community. National Volunteers Week recognising the importance of volunteering and a COVID-19 Pillar to remember people who have lost..

Ride High, a local children’s charity that transforms the lives of vulnerable children, is inviting you to get riding this summer…. but surprisingly not on a horse – ‘on yer bike’! It is organising the first Ride High Cycle Challenge, and after the stress and restraints of the last year this is a great opportunity to experience adventure and achievement in the great outdoors in 2021.  You can choose a 50 or 100 mile carefully planned road route through picturesque villages and stunning countryside in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Starting and finishing at the charity’s home in central Milton Keynes, there will be fuel stations and roaming support along both routes. Awaiting you at the finish line will be a well-earned celebratory barbeque and the Ride High children will present finishers with hand-crafted medals.  This will be a fun and friendly event – accessible to everyone (aged 18+) who would like to achieve something amazing whilst raising funds..

Last week, Franklins donated a mixed pallet of food, with a value of £2,000 to MK Food Bank through a partnership with His Church Charity. MK Food Bank have recently teamed up with MK Council to launch Food Bank Xtra in order to meet the increase in demand caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.  “We are so grateful to Franklins and His Church for the fabulous donation of much need food delivered last week. MK Food Bank has seen an unprecedented increase in demand for its emergency food parcels over the last year – in 2020 we helped over 2,500 more households than in the previous year, giving out 27,500 parcels altogether. And it’s thanks to incredible donations from the community that we’re able to carry on helping everyone who needs us. On behalf of everyone here, a huge thank you to for your generosity and community spirit.” - Louisa Hobbs,..

People with loved ones living in MK care homes are being urged to ask for help if they are feeling the effects of being apart during lockdown. The council has teamed up with Willen Hospice to offer professional support to anyone who is experiencing feelings of isolation or loss due to current visiting restrictions, or if they have faced a bereavement due to Covid-19. As the UK approaches a year since the pandemic took hold, the partners behind the service are urging people not to suffer in silence, and ask for help. Funded by the council, the support is completely free and confidential.  Nikki Jackson, Counsellor at Willen Hospice, said: “We know that care homes have been particularly affected by the lockdown, with tight restrictions imposed on visiting. The way people cope with emotions is very individual, and no one person will deal with it in the same way.  “We..