I have recently started volunteering for a local organisation called People for People. They are based in Birmingham and aims to raise money to provide much needed items to the people of Ukraine. The organisation also has collections for items which are desperately needed such as children’s clothes, medicine, plasters, dressings, canned food and dry foods. Collections take place on Monday 4:00pm-6:00pm, Wednesday 2:00pm-5:00pm, Friday 6:00pm-9:00pm and Sunday 4:00pm-8:00pm at Saint Mark’s church in B23 7EL.
I decided to volunteer as I felt that I could be doing more to help Ukraine and its people. I’m glad to have joined such a worthy organisation working on such a vital humanitarian issue.
People for People was set up by the three founders, Magdalena Zielinska, Beata Zaborniak and Magda Breitkopf, as they wanted to do their part to help the people of Ukraine.
When asked about the charity, Magda stated that ‘’People for People was founded to support people in need as well as integrate communities across Birmingham. We support all communities regardless of nationality, race, age or gender.
‘At the moment, we are strongly supporting, and working with, the Ukrainian community – jointly organising collections of essential supplies we send directly to Ukraine affected by Russian aggression. We also design and deliver programmes supporting different social groups and their needs through social activities, events, support groups and signposting to specific support organisations.
‘Our main goals are to help new migrant communities establish themselves in the UK, provide humanitarian aid where necessary, and bring together people across different communities of multicultural West Midlands. We respond to needs of people we work with by listening to their voice.’
I applaud the hard work of Magda, Magdalena and Beata as their organisation is helping to make a vital difference in the lives of actual people within Ukraine. There aims and objectives are certainly ones that we can all agree with.
I was also able to hear about the motives for volunteering and what the charity means to them.
Anastasiia said ‘Originally, I’m from Lviv, Ukraine. When the war started, my dad decided, that I and my brother will go to a safer place. Firstly, we came to our grandmother in Italy, where we attended some manifests that support Ukrainians and helped in sorting humanitarian in one of the churches. Now I’m helping on the informational front and found the brilliant opportunity to work side by side with People for People’
Hearing Anastasiia’s story shows why it is important to have charities such as People for People who are working hard to help provide Ukraine the support and assistance it so desperately needs. I hope that reading her story encourages others to consider volunteering in any way they can.
Volunteer Joe de la Mata stated that ‘I decided to join because all the civilians surviving in Ukraine need our help regardless of their age, gender, political ideas, etc. And sadly, the invasion doesn’t look to come to an end yet.’
It is absolutely vital that people such as Joe provide their skills, help and assistance so People for People can provide the maximum amount of assistance to Ukraine. Joe’s reasoning for volunteering is certainly something that I can agree with and I hope that other people will agree with his reasoning to.
If you are able to provide even a small amount of your time, please consider volunteering with People for People. You can find them on Facebook or Instagram if you would like more information or to get involved. Do not wait to make a difference in the lives of Ukrainian people. Start today.