On behalf of all of the staff and trustees of Volunteer Centre Sunderland I would like to take this opportunity to say that it has been a pleasure to have worked with you all over the last twelve months. We look forward to working with you all again over the next twelve.
Hopefully the record number of volunteers we have recruited this year will continue to benefit your organisations and the people of Sunderland this and for many years to come.
Have a good Christmas break and we will see you in 2010.
David Curtis
Chief Officer
Record Breaking Year
The Volunteer Centre has had very busy year and has seen a massive 1500 volunteers register since January, which is almost a 30% increase from the same time from last year. We currently have over 250 member organisations who provide local people with over 350 different volunteering opportunities.
The Volunteer Driving service and the Volunteer Befriending Service have also both grown over the past year. With both projects having to recruit new Volunteers to keep up with the increase in demand for the service. The Volunteer Driving Service helps approximately 25 older people to and from doctors, hospital appointments, social visits etc on a weekly basis. The Befriending service volunteers spend approximatley 85 hours per week visiting older people in their homes.
To find out more about both services please click on the links below
The Volunteer Centre is currently undertaking a Training Needs Survey to help identify what training needs individuals and organisations have around volunteering and volunteering issues. We would appreciate if you could spare a few moments to complete this short survey and return it to us at the Volunteer Centre.
The results from the survey will then be used to put together training packages to meet the needs of the sector.
Please also remember that the Volunteer Centre can offer organisations good practice advice and guidance on all volunteering related issues such as volunteer agreements, expenses, recruitment and selection etc. This advice is free and can be tailored to suit the needs of the organisation.
We still also have copies of the Volunteering Toolkit which is free to all.
To mark this years International Volunteer's day the Volunteer Centre held a celebration event to thank their volunteers for all the support they have given over the last year. The event that was attended by Centre's Volunteer Befrienders and Volunteering Drivers who help to provide both services.
Two of these volunteers are Janet Cheal and Stanley Burdess. Here are their stories:
For 18 hours a week Janet takes the time to look out for others as a befriending volunteer. It benefits the elderly people she visits and the 63 year old says it also brightens up her week.
"I throughly enjoy it. Iv'e been visiting one lady for 14 years and you become like part of the family"
Janet juggles her volunteer role with her job as a cleaner and says she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I first got involved 16 years ago because I was looking for something to do and its ended up becoming like a full time job for me but I wouldn't swap it. The people you meet are so nice. Apart from the home help, you might be the only other person that elderly person sees that week. If we can go and give them a boost it really makes a difference"
Former Royal Mail worker Stanley Burdess, is one of the newest volunteer recruits. He became a volunteer driver about a year ago and is enjoying every minute of it.
"I saw and advert in the Washington Star for the volunteer drivers and applied to the Volunteer Centre. I had retired and wanted something to where I could potter around"
Stanley volunteers as and when he's needed to help elderly people to get around. "You can take them anywhere they need to go, but my trips tend to be to the hospital for appointments. Its really useful because they can't always book an ambulance and it means they don't have the expense of hiring a taxi. I enjoy it. It's no hardship"
Dates for Volunteering Forum
Meetings 2010
The dates and times for next years forum meetings have been set and are as follows:
Mon 8th March, 10.30am - 12.00noon
Wed 5th May, 10.30am - 12.00noon
Mon 5th July, 10.30am - 12.00noon
Thurs 2nd Sept, 10.30am -12.00 noon
Mon 1st Nov, 10.30am - 12.00noon
Venues are still to be decided but to find out more about the Volunteering Forum and to access previous minutes please click on the link Volunteering Forum
Independent Safeguarding Authority Vetting and Barring Scheme
The Independent Safeguarding Authority, Vetting and Barring Event took place on Friday 11th December 2009, with over 34 organisations from across the region gained access to up to date information from the Home Office. You can find a copy of the presentation and the question and answer session by clicking on the following link. Vetting & Barring Scheme.
Employee Volunteering
Do you have a garden that needs some attention or a room that would benefit from a new coat of paint? Then my not consider Employee Volunteers to help you out. We are currently working in partnership with a number of different local companies who are looking for projects in the local community to get involved with throughout 2010.
Many of the organisations have a small pot of funds to contribute to materials i.e. paint and plants etc and it can be a great way of getting a job done that requires a team of people. If you think your organisation could benefit from this or you wish to know more then please get in touch with the Volunteer Centre.
Sunderland Women’s Centre
has new courses starting Monday 11 January 2010.
Courses include:
Brush up your Maths Beginners ICT
Esol Cross Stitch
Stress Management Living History
Jewellery Making Edwardian History
Brush up your English Psychology
Card Craft Confidence Building
To book your place or to find out more please call Sunderland Women’s Centre on (0191) 567 7495 or call in to see us at 8 Green Terrace, Sunderland, SR1 3PZ.
Stop Smoking 2 Day Training Course
If you are in a position to support clients in quitting smoking on a regular basis and you have time to dedicate to this important area of work, then this is the course for you.
The training will cover information in relation to smoking, stop smoking medication and how to support a client through the quit process.
The dates for 2010 include:
22 & 23 February 2010 8 & 9 March 2010
12 & 13 April 2010 10 & 11 May 2010
To find out more or to book a place please contact David Bailey on (0191) 529 7156.
Stroke survivors in the South of Tyne and Wear are set to benefit from a unique new service which will assist them to integrate back into society and return to employment. The Changing Lives service will be jointly delivered by charities The Stroke Association and Momentum North East (formerly Rehab UK Brain Injury Services).
Changing Lives is an individually-tailored rehabilitation service which will assist people to get their lives back on track. A multi-disciplinary team of staff will support people to manage the effects of their stroke and to regain their confidence, develop new and existing skills, and provide employment and training opportunities for those who want to get back to work. Support will also be offered to carers.
The service will combine outreach and centre-based elements including: social skills, leisure activities, work-related skills, IT training, stress management, travel training, work placement, and interview techniques.
Alistair Miller, Community Integration Co-ordinator, Momentum North East, said: “I am excited to be involved in developing a new service which draws on the experience and shared vision of both Momentum and The Stroke Association. This is a real opportunity to make a difference to people’s quality of life after stroke.”
Stephen Simpson, Community Integration Co-ordinator, The Stroke Association, said: “I believe that the development of Stroke Services are bringing focus from many different areas that previously lacked awareness of stroke and its effect on individuals. This partnership heralds a new benchmark in its combining of resources to transform the lives of people affected by stroke. The initiative will raise the profile and priority of stroke rehabilitation across South Tyneside and Wearside.”
For 18 hours a week Janet takes the time to look out for others as a befriending volunteer. It benefits the elderly people she visits and the 63 year old says it also brightens up her week.
Former Royal Mail worker Stanley Burdess, is one of the newest volunteer recruits. He became a volunteer driver about a year ago and is enjoying every minute of it.
