The Sevenoaks Samaritans team hit the community with a Bang for their first community event since opening the Sevenoaks operation one year ago.
The Sevenoaks team struck a relationship with the local Round Table (https://www.sevenoaksroundtable.co.uk/ ) to support them at one of the biggest events of the year, the Sevenoaks Torchlit Parade and Firework Event. Despite many towns cancelling their firework displays, Sevenoaks were determined to go ahead and with collaboration of local businesses, the Town Council, and charitable organisations the Round Table pulled off a blast, with over 12,000 people attending the spectacular torchlight parade through the High Street, into the grounds of Sevenoaks School where the bonfire and phenomenal firework display took place.
This was the first time Sevenoaks Samaritans have been able to provide awareness in the community, and our eighty strong volunteer community did not disappoint. For a first event the Sevenoaks team set the bar extremely high with two ESOS (Emotional Support Outside of Service) teams, a group helping to scan tickets on the gate, offering support in the High Street with ushering and directing the Torchlit parade as well as staffing the Lost children Control Centre!
Kay Turner Sevenoaks Samaritans Leader Said “We couldn’t have hoped for a better event to launch the Sevenoaks team in the community” The whole volunteer team pulled together to support the Round Table and help them raise money for local charities, and hopefully we will be a beneficiary of the proceeds too.
Not only did the Sevenoaks team support the Round Table on the day of the event, but teams of volunteers visited local businesses and shops to promote the event, the Sevenoaks Marketing team produced numerous social media posts, newsletters and press releases to ensure the event gained the widest coverage.
This was a huge task to take on as a first community event, but with the help of leaders from other Sevenoaks branches and our festival teams helping us to learn about ESOS in the community, this was a wonderful learning opportunity and has provided a framework for serving future events in the community. Already we have been invited to attend the Christmas Light Switch on in Sevenoaks, and our Volunteers are raring to go with an Xmas themed tent on our local High Street.
“This whole experience has demonstrated the fantastic energy and enthusiasm of our Sevenoaks Volunteers, and the strength of creating relationships with local organisations to raise awareness of the magnificent work Sevenoaks Samaritans do” says Sevenoaks Leader Kay Turner.