Across the UK, volunteers of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK enthusiastically participated in activities as part of the Big Help Out.
Nine HSS shakhas, or branches, and 132 participants engaged in 11 different community projects as part of the unique Coronation Bank Holiday weekend initiative. Clearing community gardens, planting flowers, serving teas, cleaning benches, clearing charity shop clutter, litter picking, visiting care homes, cooking and serving meals, and taking calls on helplines were some of the activities that were undertaken. They were all well received with warm words of gratitude by the elderly and the infirm, community groups, temples and charity shops.
Valerie, a recipient of the HSS UK volunteering efforts, said: “Your amazing hardworking volunteers have made a great difference and we value their efforts.”
Gary Bargoff, the Finchley Victoria Bowling and Croquet Club president, added: “I take my hat off for all the wonderful work HSS volunteers do without any expectations and give their utmost in terms of community spirit.”
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For HSS UK, the Big Help Out was an opportunity to participate in a significant national volunteering event to mark the King’s Coronation. There was positive energy and enthusiasm from the volunteers who diligently completed the tasks.
Young Viraj said: “I must make a habit of helping.”
HSS UK has 105 shakhas up and down the country and its volunteers take pride in offering selfless service or sewa to all communities.
Dr Harsha Jani of the HSS UK Outreach Team said: “We love volunteering and really it comes naturally to us as Hindus.
“It was a privilege to participate in the Big Help Out and contribute positively to the welfare of so many.”
The Big Help Out was a fantastic opportunity for HSS to demonstrate the value of sewa and how it is ingrained in the organisation’s character and indeed daily lives, along with sanskar (building good character) and sangathan (collective community spirit) as the cornerstones of Hindu values.
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HSS UK volunteering activities took place alongside 55,000 Big Help Out volunteering initiatives nationwide. The Big Help Out was one of the official projects of the Coronation Weekend - promoting, championing and showcasing volunteering.
In the UK, millions of people volunteer every day and the initiative tried to affect a step change in volunteering across the country by making it easy for volunteers to recognise opportunities and get involved. The aim of the Big Help Out was to inspire a new generation of volunteers.
Given the importance of faith communities as sources of volunteering and charitable work in the UK and the King’s longstanding commitment to promoting interfaith collaboration, faith organisations played a significant role in the Big Help Out.
*Info: HSS UK
