Last Saturday, 6th June, I participated in a Volunteer Day at BURC.

It was rewarding experience to witness the collaboration and support of many local non-profit organisations and charities who have been using this building at 20 Widmore Road, as a central pillar of support for community welfare and social services.

Services include Bromley Borough Food Bank, Bromley Homeless Charity and various health clinics including those operated by the Bromley GP Alliance. The Church building is also a registered charity (Charity number 1135594) and, offers accessible space for “a variety of functions including community fairs and exhibitions, to specialized support groups such as the Memory Singers for those living with dementia and their carers.”

I hosted a stand to raise awareness of Yoga Fitness for Beginners and, really enjoyed engaging with the various stallholders. Everyone equally very friendly and eager to offer knowledge about their organisation's offerings. Rhiannon’s Café also provided free teas and coffees to stallholders.

What was significant about the day - was the ongoing recruitment drive shared enthusiastically by the organisations to encourage more volunteers.  I have to say that as a Black woman living in Bromley, I felt there was a lack of diversity among the visitors that could be addressed.

Online research suggests that volunteer participation among Black women in the UK, including the London Borough of Bromley, indicate strong cultural tradition of community service. For example, church-based volunteering, or neighbourhood-level initiatives that provide immediate support to their own communities.

Academic research states that the obstacles to lower levels of formal civic volunteer engagement among Black women, when compared to other population segments – is rooted in “historical and systemic barriers to institutional access”. Leading to the reliance on traditional, insular social networks that fail to reach diverse community members.

Is it true Black women volunteers are less likely to be part of traditional, established social networks that dominate those managed by large established non-profits?  

Are you a Black woman and volunteer in Bromley or London what is your view?

The following organisations have openings. The information about each gives a little insight about the services they offer. You are advised to contact for more information.

Why not make a difference and become a volunteer?

 u3a Bromley: Volunteers can support this organization by facilitating interest groups or assisting with administrative tasks to keep local learning opportunities accessible.  Joining allows members to share their expertise, make new friends, and stay mentally active through lifelong learning.

Bromley Lions Club CIO: Volunteers can assist by organizing community fundraising events or providing hands-on help during local service projects.  Members benefit from the deep personal satisfaction of directly impacting their community while developing strong leadership and teamwork skills.

Bromley Youth Trust: Volunteers can support the trust by mentoring young people or assisting with the delivery of after-school and recreational programs. This role offers the benefit of gaining valuable experience in youth work while helping to foster a safer, more supportive environment for local children.

Bromley Relief In Need: Volunteers can help by processing applications for assistance or managing the distribution of resources to those in crisis. Joining this charity provides the rewarding opportunity to provide immediate, tangible relief to vulnerable neighbours in the borough.

Green Bird Café: Volunteers can support the café by assisting with front-of-house service or helping to manage daily operations in a community-focused environment. The benefit of joining is the chance to build hospitality skills while contributing to a space that promotes social cohesion and local connection.

Bromley and District Floral Society: Volunteers can support the society by helping to set up for monthly demonstrations or managing membership records. Members benefit from the opportunity to learn professional floral arrangement techniques and enjoy a creative, social atmosphere.

Enable’s Learning Disability Weight Management Programme: Volunteers can assist by supporting participants during exercise sessions or providing encouragement during healthy lifestyle workshops. Joining this program allows volunteers to make a meaningful difference in the health and well-being of individuals with learning disabilities.

Age UK Bromley and Greenwich Services: Volunteers can support the organization through training and, learning how to support seniors or assisting with day-centre activities. The benefit of joining is the ability to combat loneliness in the elderly population while gaining insight into social care and community support systems.

Careplus: Volunteers can support Careplus by providing companionship or practical help to residents who require extra assistance in their daily lives. Volunteers benefit from the personal growth that comes with building intergenerational relationships and supporting the independence of others.

Bromley District Talking News: Volunteers can support this service by recording local news or editing audio content for visually impaired residents. Joining provides the benefit of developing technical media skills while ensuring that vital information remains accessible to the community.

BHF.ORG.UK: (British Heart Foundation) Volunteers can support the BHF by staffing local charity shops or assisting with large-scale fundraising campaigns. The benefit of joining is the learning opportunity gained and, contribution in support of life-saving cardiovascular research while gaining retail and event management experience.

SJA.ORG.UK (St John Ambulance): Volunteers can support St John Ambulance by learning about first aid in terms of public events or assisting with community training programs. Joining allows volunteers to gain essential, potentially life-saving medical skills while serving as a vital resource for public safety.

UKBANDG.ORG.UK (UK Bands and Groups): Volunteers can support this organization by helping the organisation regarding coordination of local musical performances or assisting with instrument maintenance for youth groups. The benefit of joining is the chance to foster local arts and culture while connecting with a network of passionate musicians and organizers.

Community Links: Individuals can support this organisation by identifying their specific interests by contacting the organisation to determine how their skills can be best utilised.

Rhiannon’s Café: Volunteers needed. Contact the organisation.

References

1. Bromley URC. Find out more about some of the groups that meet at Bromley URC↩

2. Lions Clubs International. How to Join↩

3. Bromley Youth Trust. About Our Work↩

4. Bromley Relief In Need. Our Mission↩

5. Green Bird Café. Community Impact↩

6. Enable. Learning Disability Services↩

7. Age UK. Volunteer with Us↩

8. Careplus. Supporting Our Community↩

9. Talking News Federation. How to Volunteer↩

10. British Heart Foundation. Volunteer with the BHF↩

11. St John Ambulance. Volunteer Roles↩

12. UK Bands and Groups. Supporting Local Music↩

13. Community Links Bromley Home - Community Links Bromley

14. Rhiannon’s Café Rhiannons Cafe | Candi

Self-Care

• Check your iron levels. Help boost memory.

  • Example green leafy vegetables, lentils, beef,

  • Every 3 hours eat a little protein. Help satiety in between meals.

• Prevent decline in muscle mass (older person)

  • Example: chicken breast, quinoa

• Calcium for bone health. Example sardines with bones, kale

• Exercise: low weights, yoga (restorative), tai chi (low impact), brisk walking (aerobic)

 Your view matters "Is your voice being heard?

E: ros@womanworldtodaymedia.com

If you like this post, we would love to hear your view. We support women over 50 - women from the Afro-Caribbean communities whose opinions are often under-represented.

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