Record Breaking Year

The Volunteer Centre has had very busy year and has seen a massive 1500 volunteers register since January which is a almost 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 both grown over the past year.  With both projects recruiting more Volunteers to keep up with the increasing 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 hours visiting older people in their homes

To find out more about both services please click on the links below

Volunteer Driving Service

Volunteer Befriending Service

Training Needs Survey

The Volunteer Centre is currently undertaking a Training Need 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.

Training Needs Survey

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 you 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 find out about the toolkit please click on the link. Volunteering Toolkit

International Volunteers Day Celebrations

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 a befriending volunteer.  It benefits the elderly people she visits and the 63 year ld says it also brighten up her week.

"I through 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

Tues 15th June, 10.30am - 12.00noon

Wed 8th September, 10.30am - 12.00noon

Thurs 9th December, 10.30am - 12.00noon

To find out more about the Volunteering Forum and to access previous minutes please click on the link Volunteering Forum

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.