Romford Labour Councillor, for St Alban’s Ward, Jane Keane has been thanked for her part in saving the Havering Volunteer Centre (HVC) from funding cuts.
Jane told the Havering Daily:”It’s kind of the HVC to single me out for thanks. In turn I would also like to thank all Labour councillors for their unequivocal support.”
By use of Council motions, put before Council on 26/03/2025 and 21/01/2026, by the Havering Labour Group, the Romford St Alban’s Ward Councillor Jane kept the profile and work of Havering Volunteers and the Havering Volunteer Centre at the forefront of budget discussions throughout 2025 and 2026.
Both motions united almost all members in a show of cross-party support for volunteers and the Havering Volunteer Centre.
Jane received an email from the morning after the Council Tax setting meeting advising that the London Borough of Havering had awarded the HVC its grant of £56k funding for 2026/2027. The CEO Shelley Hart expressed her particular thanks to Jane and a St Edwards Ward Conservative Councillor, David Taylor, for their “hard work.” Rebecca Mazrreku, Centre Operations Manager described Jane’s role as “Ginormous”, and said, “The funding is hugely well timed and well needed.”
Jane said, “The Labour Party understand the incalculable value of volunteers to our communities. Their worth has been demonstrated time and time again:-
- From the valuable work of Neighbourhood Watch volunteers, to spring cleaning with Romford Town Wombles.
- From our compassionate Samaritans’ volunteers that provide 24/7 telephone support for people with suicidal thoughts to the harmonious St Francis Hospice Choir and other hospice volunteers up at Havering-atte-Bower.
- From the museum volunteers who keep the Havering Museum in High Street, Romford running to all the unpaid carers performing chores, laboriously filling in application forms for blue badges and providing companionship to isolated adults.
- And who could forget the extra financial support secured for Havering Households through the work of volunteers at Citizens Advice Havering?
Jane added, “How on earth can anyone really monetise the worth of volunteers to the well-being of Havering? No doubt some people standing for election/re-election in May 2026, who know the cost of everything but the value of nothing, see savings in this sector. I hope that all volunteers and the HVC will continue to enjoy local and cross party political support no matter what happens in the May 7th 2026 Local Elections.”
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