More than a Ball - the inaugural Harlequin Masquerade Ball
What the Harlequin Masquerade Ball gave Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre
On Friday 2 October, The Vale Golf and Country Club in Bishampton was transformed for Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre’s very first Harlequin Masquerade Ball. With glittering masks, fizz on arrival, and dancing until the carriages arrived at midnight, one thing was clear: the inaugural Ball had been a triumph.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the evening, especially our headline sponsor The Vale Golf and Country Club. Thank you as well to every business and supporter who donated raffle prizes. Together, we raised money for Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre, and of course, that money matters. It will help keep our befriending, community transport, lunch clubs and social activities running for people across Pershore and the surrounding villages who might otherwise face loneliness and isolation.
But the total isn’t the whole story...
Putting the Centre in the spotlight
A fundraiser like the Harlequin Masquerade Ball is one of the best chances Pershore Plus Volunteer Centre gets to tell people what we do. For one evening, our VIPs and guests from across the region, including local businesses, friends and families, and many people who had never visited the Centre, got to hear first-hand about the difference our volunteers and staff make every week.
Many of them hadn’t realised how many people in their own community feel cut off, or how much a friendly voice at the door, a lift to an appointment or a shared lunch can change someone’s week. Visibility matters. People can’t support a cause they don’t know exists.
The ripple effect
What happens after the music stops is just as important. Evenings like this start conversations that carry on long afterwards:
• New Volunteers – Someone who came for the dancing may leave wondering whether they could give a few hours a month as a befriender, a driver or a lunch club helper.
• New financial supporters – Our guests and sponsors have seen the Centre’s work up close, and some will go on to give regularly, join our lottery, fundraise for us or support us in other ways.
• New Ambassadors – Every guest now has a story to tell colleagues, neighbours and friends about who we are and why it matters.
• New partnerships – Local businesses that supported the evening have seen how a community charity and its supporters can work together.
Each of those connections helps the Centre reach more people who need us.
Along with our CEO Karon Swinburn (pictured left) and Tony Rowley, our Chairman (pictured right), we were delighted to welcome Dame Harriet Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire to our inaugural Harlequin Masquerade Ball.
Dame Harriet Baldwin is sure to be among the many new connections made on the evening who will continue to share the good work that our Centre does with the contacts that she has.
Dame Harriet Baldwin is sure to be among the many new connections made on the evening who will continue to share the good work that our Centre does with the contacts that she has.
What’s next?
To everyone who bought a ticket, sponsored the evening, donated a prize, danced, volunteered on the night, or simply spread the word: you made the Harlequin Masquerade Ball a night to remember, and you’ve helped build a stronger, better-connected community.
If the evening has inspired you, there are plenty of ways to stay involved:
• Talk to us about sponsorship, fundraising or corporate volunteering: contact our Centre on 01386 554299 or at communitybuilder@pershorevolunteers.org.uk
We can’t wait to see what comes next.