Sainsbury's UK School Games North East England 2010

Do you enjoy a challenge? Do you want to be involved in what is fast becoming a major sporting event within the UK? Do you want to be part of a fun and engaging atmosphere? Would you like to make new friends? If you answered YES to any of these questions then why not volunteer for the Sainsbury's UK School Games.

Part of the London 2012 Olympic Games Legacy, the UK School Games see's around 1600 of the UK's future sporting hero's competing across ten different sports.  The sports in 2010 include:

Athletics @ Gateshead International Stadium
Badminton @ Gateshead International Stadium
Judo @ Gateshead International Stadium
Cycling @ Leazes Park / Gateshead International Stadium
Gymnastics @ Gateshead Leisure Centre
Hockey @ Newcastle University
Volleyball @ Northumbria University
Swimming @ Sunderland Aquatic Centre
Fencing @ Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis & Wellness Centre
Table Tennis @ Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis & Wellness Centre

The ten sports are combined into a four-day Games environment designed to replicate the feel of major events such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

To ensure the success of the UK School Games, the Games is reliant upon a 350 strong army of volunteers across a number of roles.  Volunteers play a vital role in the delivery and success of the Games and as a volunteer you will be given a fantastic experience of being involved in a major sporting event, as well as receiving free training, free CRB and the opportunity to volunteer at future high profile sporting events across Tyne and Wear.  Volunteers must be 16 years or above.

The deadline for submissions of interest has been extended until 4th June May, with various volunteering roles to fill.

To obtain an application form please contact the Volunteer Centre on sunderlandvc@aol.com or call 01915678902 before the closing date above.

Wellness Services aims to improve individual's health and well-being. They currently run a walking programme which encourages individuals to walk to improve their health. The walks will be targeted at the 'non active' to encourage them to increase their activity levels.

They are currently looking for Volunteer Walk Leaders. In this role the volunteer will deliver led walks as part of the 'Wellness......It's a Walk in the Park' progamme and potentially further walks once the walking programmes are further developed. Occasionally the volunteer will be involved in the planning and risk assessment of new walks. Walks will be held at times to suit the volunteer.

Volunteers interested in this role should be aged 18+, be good communicators with an interest and enthusiasm for walking and the ability to encourage and motivate individuals to participate in the walking programme. Volunteer Walk Leader Training and First Aid Training will be provided free of charge.

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust runs a centre open to the public and attempts to improve the knowledge of wildfowl issues by offering educational activities. They are currently recruiting Volunteer Flamingo Spies. As the flamingo breeding season approaches, the trust is eager to record the display dances, mating behaviour and individual interactions of the flamingo flock. Volunteers will work with and be trained by the aviculture manager and will be provided with ethogram charts and binoculars to record the flamingo behaviour and interaction with other species. Seats and a thermos of tea/coffee will also be provided. Volunteers need to watch the flamingos for periods of up to four hours, observations for shorter time periods would be of great value also. As the flamingos are warming up for the breeding season, ideally, we can monitor the flock between 9.30am and 5pm each day.

Volunteers who are interested in this role need to be interested in nature conservation, be patient, pay attention to detail and have the ability to interact with visitors, explaining your actions and why they are undertaken. Volunteers also need to be reliable.

NE Sports CIC provides high quality sports coaching to children of any age or ability to enjoy a wide range of sports, games and activities resulting in better quality health and social well being. They are currently have two volunteering opportunities.

Firstly they are looking for volunteers to act as a home based marketing/sales assistants helping to develop NE Sport CIC by raising the profile of the company and generating publicity. They will able be involved in completing fundraising applications and establishing links with various corporate partners to obtain sponsorships. Volunteers should have their own computer with an internet connection and posses excellent people and communication skills. Good keyboard skills and experience with Microsoft office programmes are essential. They should be highly organised and display attention to detail. Sales experience and knowledge of completion of fundraising applications is also needed.

The second role is for female volunteer sports coaches. The role involves helping with the coaching of children’s sports within schools and local community settings. Volunteers must hold at least level one coaching certificate in a recognised sport and be flexible with the use of transport, although in some instances transport will be available. Volunteers need the ability to thrive in a team environment and have good organisation skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with children is essential. Volunteers should also possess customer service experience working with a wide range of customers. Experience of coaching children is required and an enhanced CRB check will be undertaken.

is an infrastructure organisation supporting the voluntary and community sector in the Sunderland and Washington.  They currently require a volunteer to help with Database Administrator who will update a database and related data activity as well as answering and making telephone calls.  Volunteers should have some computer and data entry experience a good telephone manner is required and volunteers should be friendly and willing to operate as part of the CVS team.

Mission 12-17 C.I.C. is a social club for young people aged 12-17 years. They aim to provide a safe and secure environment for young people whilst tackling the issues of binge drinking, anti social behaviour and drug misuse. The club operates between 5pm ands 10pm each day and also noon till 5pm on weekends. They currently have 3 new volunteering opportunities.

The first is Kiosk volunteers. Duties would include answering queries from customers and facilitating customer transactions at reception. Volunteers interested in this opportunity should be aged between 17-40 and have good interpersonal and communication skills. Good numerical and cash handling skills are essential. Experience of working with young people is preferred.

The second opportunity available is Kitchen volunteers. This involves preparing and serving hot and cold food and keeping the kitchen clean and tidy. Volunteers should be aged between 17-40 and have good interpersonal and communication skills. They should enjoy working with young people and have food health and hygiene experience.

The third opportunity is for Service Area volunteers. Duties would be to serve alcohol free drinks and food to customers and to answer any queries that may arise. Again volunteers should be aged between 17-40, have good interpersonal and communication skills. Good numerical and cash handling skills are essential. Experience of working with young people is preferred.

City of Sunderland College – Vtalent Year Programme – is ideal for young people who want to gain some hands-on experience and valuable qualifications. We aim to enlist 19 full-time volunteers (44 weeks / 30 hours pw) onto our Vtalent Year Programme. Each volunteer will undertake a placement within areas such as Supported Learning (disabilities), Mentoring, Classroom assistant, Prince’s Trust, Duke of Edinburgh leadership, Youth work and Business Administration.

We aim to give volunteers the opportunity to gain some practical skills and experience in order to prepare them for the work place, as well as relevant and valuable qualifications. Volunteers should be aged 16-25 and will be expected to complete a minimum Level 2 qualification during the programme: Certificate in Volunteering, Equality & Diversity, and Safeguarding Children & Young People. Volunteers will require Level 2 Adult Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent, although this can be undertaken during placement.

A weekly allowance of up to £100 per week will be given to volunteers and those who successfully complete the programme will be able to access a £1,500 Personal Development Grant at the end of the programme.

All volunteers will be supported throughout their time on the programme. Volunteers need to be enthusiastic, motivated, committed and keen to develop themselves.