THE contribution made by volunteers in communities across the country was celebrated earlier this month (June 1 to 7).

Volunteers’ Week 2018 recognises the efforts of trustees, campaigners, carers, fundraisers and all the other voluntary roles that make a huge contribution within local organisations and charities.

To celebrate the week in his constituency Central Devon MP Mel Stride caught up with The Turning Tides Project – a non-profit organisation based in Crediton and working in Okehampton that aims to make equal access to music the arts and life a reality for people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels.

Director Jane Williams explained: ‘The Turning Tides Project was founded on the principle that everyone has the right to equal access to music the arts and life and the way to make this right a reality is to take a social model approach.

‘Everyone has a valuable contribution to make to their community and if the opportunity to do so is not equal, then it disables.

‘We are encouraging society to remove the barriers that prevent eisabled people from having the same experiences as anyone else.

‘I’m pleased that Mel is interested in the work of The Turning Tides Project and the values of our organisation.’

Mr Stride said: ‘The fantastic work done by The Turning Tides Project couldn’t be a better example of how voluntary groups and non-profit organisations enrich their communities and make a real difference to peoples’ lives.’

To find out more about The Turning Tides Project visit www.theturningtidesproject.org.uk. For more about Volunteers Week visit www.volunteersweek.org or check out @VolunteersWeek on Facebook, @volunteersweek2018 on Instagram or @NCVOvolunteers on Twitter.