The Harpenden Trust has released a new 30-minute film capturing the support given by the Trust in a huge range of areas over the past 18 months – and a look behind the scenes at many of the different volunteers who have stepped forward to help. The film premiered at an event on Monday night (27 September 2021) to thank over 500 Harpenden Trust volunteers who have contributed well over 50,000 hours in support of the local community over the past 18 months.
Created by volunteer local filmmaker Greta Zabulyte and volunteer drone cameraman Nick Cox, combining with a small number of Harpenden Trust volunteers, the film showcases stories across the Trust’s focus areas. This includes its Care Fund, which provides support for individuals, families and young people in need, and its Community Fund which provides financial support for community projects in Harpenden. The film also captures the incredible response from Harpenden Trust volunteers, from establishing the Harpenden Cares Contact Centre, to supporting local medical practices with the roll out of Covid-19 vaccine, in addition to some new wellbeing initiatives.
Richard Nichols, Harpenden Trust Chairman, said:
“The Harpenden Trust are able to help so many in our local community spanning individuals, families, charities and organisations, but only because of the generosity of the hundreds of people who offer their time. The past 18 months have been hugely difficult due to the pandemic, but we have seen an extraordinary response from our volunteers, who just kept stepping up to help where it was needed. From supporting the vaccination roll out, to handling calls from those in need, to befriending those who request it, to our latest wellbeing initiatives - our new film seeks to capture some of the amazing support and kindness shown over this time.”
To thank volunteers for their incredible support, the Harpenden Trust held a thank you evening on Monday, 27 September to meet and reflect on the achievements of the past 18 months, as well as premiere the new film. The event was only made possible due to the generosity of many local individuals and businesses, including the Rothamsted Conference Centre, Local estate agents Allsopps, Hamptons and Whittakers, Lumin VZ, Lyndhurst Financial Management and a gift from Terry Heritage from her County Council locality Budget. Local florist Stephanie Randall provided flowers for the event, Harpenden Musicale provided musical entertainment and Harpenden-based photographer Richard Washbrooke provided photography to mark the occasion.
“I would also like to extend a huge thank you to the many local individuals and businesses whose wonderful kindness and generosity made the evening to thank our volunteers possible. It gave us an opportunity to show how much we, and the local community, value their time, commitment and community spirit to helping those who need it most,” Richard concludes.
The new film is available to view via the Harpenden Trust’s YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCdmnmFuAro
Images, video and interviews available on request.
Images credited to Richard Washbrooke, Photographer.
29 September 2021
