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June 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 33BucksVisionBucksVision is the local charity supporting people with sight loss across Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell, Olney and surrounding villages. Our aim is to help visually impaired individuals live fuller, more connected lives through social activities, peer support, and accessible volunteering opportunities.Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. From driving members to and from our social clubs, to guiding walks and providing one-to-one support, their impact is felt every day. Right now, we%u2019re urgently looking for more volunteer drivers and helpers to support our social and walking groups in the local area. These groups off er a lifeline to many %u2013 reducing loneliness, building friendships, and boosting confi dence.As one of our members recently shared, %u201cWithout the volunteers, I%u2019d be stuck at home. They%u2019ve given me my social life back.%u201dAnd from a long-standing volunteer: %u201cIt%u2019s not just about helping others %u2013 it%u2019s the friendships, the laughs, and the joy of seeing someone fl ourish. %u201dWhether you can spare a few hours each month or support regularly, we%u2019d love to hear from you. Training and support are provided, and you%u2019ll be joining a welcoming, purpose-driven team making a real diff erence in your local community.To fi nd out more, visit www.bucksvision.co.uk or call us on 01296 487556.FOLIOAround 10 years ago, FOLIO (Friends Of the Library In Olney) was set up to support the service at a time when library hours were at risk. Since then, we have run library sessions from 11am-1pm on Tuesdays and 2.30pm-4.30pm on Thursdays. These prove popular %u2013 we have recorded in excess of 50 people visiting during one session.Additionally, we off er children%u2019s activities within the library, ranging from Saturday Craft club to Storytime sessions and, previously, a Lego club.You may have visited the Kidzone at BOFF. This has been run by FOLIO, providing face-painting, lucky dip, toy stall, etc, to keep the little ones happy during the festivities. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of volunteers, we are unable to off er this in 2025.Many of our activities are aimed at children. However, monthly on Monday evenings, we take over Room 4 at the Olney Centre and invite a local person or business to speak on a range of popular and fascinating topics from wildlife photography to local history. It%u2019s a fun evening, with the opportunity to mingle over a glass of wine and a delicious snack after the talk %u2013 why not join us for the next one on Monday 2nd June: Podington Aerodrome in WW11.Our committee meets four times a year to plan each event, and we are always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in joining us as a committee member, a volunteer, or to attend our events, please contact olneyfoliofriends@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting you.Sharnbrook Mill TheatreVolunteers are the lifeblood of Sharnbrook Mill Theatre; we could not operate without them. We have a wide selection of opportunities where people can off er their skills and talents, or learn new ones.From front of house meeting and greeting, selling ice creams, coff ees and programmes or being a Fire Marshall in the auditorium for a show, right through to creating scenery and costumes, working in lighting and technical and, of course, all our actors and Stage Managers are volunteers too.As part of Volunteers Week we are opening our doors for a free Open Day on Saturday June 7th from 10am-3pm to give people of all ages the opportunity to access all areas of our unique theatre and discover how they could get involved if they would like to.Performances will be on the stage, and an opportunity to join in with some sessions.Visitors can join behind-the-scenes tours and even try on some of our extensive range of costumes.Teas, coff ee and cake will also be served.We hope to welcome lots of people, both young and young at heart, who are interested in our theatre and who may never have visited before.For more information, go to our website: www.sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk or email: info@sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.ukAge UK Milton KeynesCelebrating our incredible volunteers. As Volunteer%u2019s Week shines a national spotlight on the vital role of volunteers, we at Age UK Milton Keynes want to say a heartfelt thank you to our incredible team of over 350 volunteers who go above and beyond every day to support older people in our community.Our volunteers are the beating heart of our charity, generously giving their time, energy, and compassion to help make life better for local people in later life. From delivering three-course meals in our meal delivery service and off ering a friendly face through our befriending service, to providing crucial IT support, advocacy, and stepping in for one-off tasks on an ad hoc basis, our volunteers provide a lifeline for those who need it most.They support memory sessions for people living with memory loss or dementia, lead walking groups that promote wellbeing and social connection, and help run our friendship and lunch clubs that bring laughter and companionship each week. Behind the scenes, volunteers make a huge diff erence too, supporting with administration, organising events, and raising vital funds to keep our services running.Every act of kindness, big or small, makes a diff erence. Whether it%u2019s a warm welcome at a social club, a helpful chat on the phone, or a walk in the park with good company, our volunteers create real, lasting impact in people%u2019s lives.Volunteer%u2019s Week is our chance to publicly recognise their dedication, warmth, and tireless efforts. We simply couldn%u2019t do what we do without them.To every volunteer, thank you. You are changing lives every day, and we are so grateful.