Welcome to the Volunteer Centre’s first Newsletter.  The aim of the newsletter is to keep member/partner organisations up to date with information relating to volunteers on a regional and national level.  This could include changes in volunteer law, up and coming training, new initiatives, events etc.  If you feel that you have anything to contribute to the newsletter relating to volunteering then please get in touch and let us know and please feel free to pass on the information contained to those you feel would benefit from it, including your volunteers.

Volunteer Centre’s Services

The Volunteer Centre offers a range of free services to local voluntary and community sector organisations.  These include:

Brokerage.  Once an organisation becomes a member of the Volunteer Centre, the centre will then start to recruit volunteers on behalf of the organisation via a number of marketing methods including Helping Hands within the Sunderland Echo, displays and exhibitions, the Do-It website (National Volunteer database) www.do-it.org.uk and our in house Volunteering Opportunities Directories.

Advice and Guidance on all volunteering issues.  Whether you are looking to start recruiting volunteers or want advice on writing up volunteer policies and procedures we have staff who can support you throughout the process.

CRB’s The processing of Volunteer and staff CRB’s for Voluntary and Community Sector Groups.  The charge for volunteers is £10 per person and for staff £55 per person. 

Employee Volunteering. Working  in partnership with local business’s on their Employee Volunteering Schemes the Volunteer Centre Sunderland helps to organise a range of hands on activities for staff to carry out in the local community.  Organisations that we have worked with in the past have included, T-Mobile, EDF Energy, More Than, Turner & Townsend, Barclays Bank, Gala Casino, amongst others.  They have contributed to numerous local community groups and taken part in painting and decorating activities, conservation and gardening, hosting and planning celebration events etc. 

If you feel you could involve a group to take part in a day long activity then please get in touch as we would welcome any suggestions.

Volunteering Training and Events

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Training – 18th November

Delivered by Volunteer Centre Project Workers, this training is aimed at anyone who is responsible for the recruitment and supervision of volunteers within an organisation and will cover best practice and helpful suggestions and tips on the recruitment and retention of volunteers.  Places range from £5 – £30 to book a place and please contact Rob Charlton at Sunderland CVS on (0191) 5651566 or rob.charlton@sunderlandcvs.co.uk.

Volunteer Centre AGM – 27th November

We would like to invite our members and partners to our AGM to be held at St Mary Church Hall.  The meeting will start at 2.00pm, anyone interested please get in touch to book a place.

Volunteer Christmas Celebration Event

To say a thank you for the valued support volunteers have given to local voluntary and charity groups in Sunderland over the past year, the Volunteer Centre in partnership with and funded by the City of Sunderland Council, we will be holding a Volunteer Christmas Celebration Event.

The event will take place on:

Friday 5th December 1pm - 3pm,

St Mary Church, Bridge Street, Sunderland, SR1 1XH.

The free event will be open to all volunteers across the city, so please inform your volunteers to come and join with us for light refreshments and Christmas carols.

To book a place please contact the Volunteer Centre by November 21st.  Please note that as this event has limited places they will be allocated on first come first served basis.

Voluntary Sector Training Need Audit   

It’s that time of year again!                         

As you may or may not know Sunderland CVS undertake a city-wide VCS training needs audit on an annual basis. This is your organisation's opportunity to shape the next 12 months training provided for the sector by Sunderland CVS. You can do this by clicking on the link below where you will find a short questionnaire which we would like both paid staff and volunteers to complete.  We would appreciate if you could return all completed forms to Rob Charlton via emai to rob.charlton@sunderlandcvs.co.uk or by post to Sunderland CVS, Riverview House, West Wear Street, Sunderland, SR1 1XD.

Training Needs Audit 2008

A report will be produced from the consultation early next year and will be freely available to anyone who would like a copy. For further information please visit www.sunderlandcvs.co.uk

Sunderland Volunteering Forum

The Sunderland Volunteering Forum has been in existence for the past six years and is open to representatives from volunteer involving organisations from the statutory, voluntary and community sector.  The Forum holds meetings every quarter and allows organisations to network with other members and discuss volunteering issues.  The group also has two sub groups who look at and organise events and training for the sector.  For further info on the Forum and dates of up coming meetings please check the website. Volunteering Forum

Community Volunteering Qualification (CCV)

We are pleased to inform you that City of Sunderland Council have received funds to deliver a Level 2 Asdan course which is free and available to anyone currently volunteering.  The course is aimed to give volunteers a broad range general skills, that they will need to be effective in their voluntary activities, whatever the context.

It will involve 12 weekly two hour sessions beginning on 7th January 2009, with additional volunteer placement hours and will cover the following topics;

· Personal skills improve upon their skills

· Preparing and dealing with meetings

· Team work

· Skills for self management

· Health & safety requirements

· Equal opportunities

 -Understanding good practice standards

Anyone wanting a free place on the course will need to contact Rob Charlton on (0191) 5651566 as soon as possible.

Please feel free to distribute to your friends, family and colleagues.