A Croydon volunteer centre celebrated its 50th anniversary last week.

Volunteer Centre Croydon (VCC) marked half a century of service to the community at its Centrale shopping centre base on September 27, bringing together volunteers, staff, trustees and supporters.

Since 1968, VCC, a department of charity Croydon Volunteer Action, has enabled volunteers to give back to Croydon, picking up awards and national recognition along the way.

In five years at their Centrale location, VCC has created an estimated £2.5 million worth of volunteering for voluntary and community organisations in Croydon, engaging 1000’s of residents.

Karen Chillman, Head of Volunteering at Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) said: “I am so proud that we are celebrating our 50th birthday.

“Our small staff team is supported by nearly 100 volunteers who work so hard to promote and develop volunteering in Croydon”.

Last year VCC was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the support its gives to both the volunteers and charities it works with.

This year VCC launched the Connect Well Croydon platform, which connects Croydon residents to the vast range of local services and activities in the borough – from the counselling, employment support and family services delivered by Croydon charities to the knitting, dog-walking and peer-support groups operating informally in neighbourhoods across the borough.

Sue Dzendzera, Chair of CVA, said: “It is my privilege to help the Volunteer Centre support Croydon’s charities and individuals. I would encourage everyone to join us in celebrating our first 50 years by pledging to volunteer to do something positive in your community”.

Councillor Hamida Ali added: “I am continually humbled by the scale and impact of volunteering in Croydon, the level of commitment that people have, and their desire to improve the lives of people around them”.

If you're interested in volunteering, contact Karen Chillman on 0208 253 7070 or at karen.chillman@cvalive.org.uk.