This is Haslemere, the town’s local community website, has been re-launched this month with a greater emphasis on volunteering. The newly branded website’s key aim is to encourage local residents to become more involved in the community, either through volunteering or attending clubs, groups and local events.
To this end, the website features regularly updated listings of local organisations or charities in need of volunteers. This can mean anything from long-term roles to more temporary volunteering roles for students doing Duke of Edinburgh awards. Organisations or individuals searching for help can also be introduced to potential volunteers.
As any parent of young children will know, clubs and groups can be a Godsend. This is Haslemere has details of all the local groups for both adults and children, ranging from arts and culture, sports and youth clubs to environmental organisations and parent and toddler groups.
Another key feature of the site is a regularly updated News & Events section featuring anything from local theatre productions to the popular HHH concerts, as well as sporting events, exhibitions and markets.
Finally, in a bid to support local businesses, the site features a business directory with useful links to local key shops and services. This is Haslemere is not limited to the town itself. News, events and organisations from surrounding villages are just as prevalent.
The website is run by a group of local volunteers, all of whom have lived in Haslemere for some time. A representative from This is Haslemere commented: “Having witnessed first-hand how many locals were prepared to offer their time and knowledge to residents affected by the Covid lockdown and to our Ukrainian guests, we wanted to capitalise on all this goodwill and community spirit. The website is a place to match organisations with volunteers. It’s also a space for charities, clubs, businesses and individuals to come together. It’s where we share resources, knowledge and time, to help and support Haslemere residents.”
She continued: “We really want This is Haslemere to become the Go To website for anyone looking for information or contacts within Haslemere and our beautiful surrounding villages.”
This is Haslemere has itself been on the receiving end of local goodwill thanks to Emma Stokes of Studio Simple and Lucy Taylor from Taylor Wood Solutions, both of whom gave their time free of charge to create what will hopefully be an invaluable community resource.
