E- Newsletter - June 2011
Please find below some information below on upcoming events and some of the latest volunteering opportunities that are looking for your help and support. If you wish to find out more about any of these opportunities then please get in touch with us on the contact details below. |
Volunteer Centre Mentoring Project Information Session
Are you caring and supportive? Enjoy working with people? Then why not become a Volunteer Mentor. Volunteers aged 18+ are required to act as mentors to people who would like to volunteer themselves but have issues around anxiety, confidence, languages, disability etc that may prevent them from volunteering independently.
Volunteers need to be confident communicators with good listening skills, be non judgmental and tolerant, display a willingness to learn and be able to motivate others to reach their full potential. Volunteers will need to undergo training and a CRB disclosure and work within clearly defined boundaries. All expenses will be reimbursed.
To find out more about the Project why not book a place at one of our Information Sessions? Dates available include Monday July 4th or Thursday August 11th.
The session is informal and will cover the following:
- Background Information
- Volunteer Centre History
- What services are on offer
- How can volunteering make a difference?
- Who can volunteer?
- Role of Volunteer Mentor
- Our commitment to volunteers
- Volunteer pathway and the next steps
If you would like to come along to one of these sessions or to receive further info please get in touch with us on (0191) 5678902 or email supportingvol@aol.com.
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Action for Children helps children achieve their full potential. Through their services, they support some of the most vulnerable and excluded children in the UK.
They are currently looking for Volunteer Independent Visitors. Volunteers will spend a few hours once a fortnight with a young person, maybe just sitting chatting or participating in an agreed activity such as swimming, shopping, cinema, eating out, going to concert, museum, football match etc. All expenses will be reimbursed. It is also a possibility that Visitors may be asked to attend meetings with other professionals to do with caring for the young person. Volunteers should be aged 19+ and have patience, consistency, a sense of humour and commitment. Be trustworthy, understanding, reliable, able to give praise and to listen, be impartial, energetic and enthusiastic, non-judgemental, flexible and able to communicate with young people |
Arthritis Research UK aims to raise awareness of the Arthritis Research Uk and its services within the local community.
They are currently looking for a Branch Volunteer the role will be tailored to suit the needs of the individual but in general the volunteer would be required to assist on a variety of fundraising activities and projects. Volunteers interested in this role should be aged 18+ and display enthusiasm and an awareness of the needs of arthritis sufferers would be advantageous.
They are currently looking for Volunteer Shop Assistants aged 18+ to assist in various areas of shop work. Duties would include pricing goods, customer service, displaying goods and general upkeep of the shop. Volunteers should be friendly and helpful and be prepared to operate the till. A willingness to learn new skills is also important. |
 Restless Development (formally SPW) is a leading youth-led development agency with over 25-years experience in implementing internationally-recognised programmes We know that young people have the energy and commitment to solve some of the world's biggest problems. For 25 years we have been working with both international volunteers and young people in Africa and Asia to deliver programmes tackling some of the most pressing issues facing young people today. Our experience shows that when young people work together with a common purpose, change is possible.
Long-term community development placements:
As a core principle of our organisation, we remain committed to providing young people with either a stepping stone into development or a meaningful placement overseas. Our long-term, direct-delivery, community-based placements provide the opportunity to lead grassroots development programmes on Sexual & Reproductive Health and Livelihoods in rural communities in Nepal and Uganda within a team of national and community volunteers.
We are currently recruiting for 7 month placements in Nepal (beginning October 2011) & Uganda (beginning January 2012).
International Citizen Service (ICS):
International Citizen Service (ICS) is a global volunteering experience funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development. This new scheme will give young adults across the UK the opportunity to volunteer in Africa and Asia, contributing to the fight against global poverty.
Our ICS placements will run in a range of countries in Africa and Asia where we have existing programmes and offices, and will be open to young adults aged 18-22. We also have a select number of placements for those aged 23+, suited to those looking for leadership roles or a stepping stone into the sector.
Each placement is different. That's because all of our programme work is designed specifically to meet the needs of the country and communities we are working in. However, as we focus on the issues that most affect young people, it is likely that with the support of our dedicated staff, you will be helping us to address crucial issues such as sexual and reproductive health (including HIV), unemployment and other factors that contribute to poverty. Importantly, you will also be helping young people become leaders of their own development.
On your return to the UK, and as lifelong Restless Development Alumni, you will be given a range of opportunities to remain involved in development work in the UK. You will receive further support and training to pursue opportunities of interest to you. You might campaign with us, became a development trainer or raise awareness in your local community. You will be playing a key role in helping people in the UK understand why reducing global poverty is important and how they can help.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference to the world you live in, while developing your own skills, knowledge and experience.
All of our ICS placements are 12 weeks long and run in the following countries:
- Uganda
- Zambia
- South Africa
- Sierra Leone
- India
- Nepal
Departures will be in October, 2011 and January and April, 2012.
Who are we looking for?
If you are excited about the prospect of spending 12 weeks in a new and challenging environment, learning new skills and meeting new people, then you are just what we are looking for.
To be an ICS volunteer you simply need to ensure you meet the below specifications:
- You are a British citizen, aged between 18 and 22.
- We are also seeking a smaller number of volunteers aged 23+ to conduct specific placements, help lead groups as well as participate.
- You have an interest in international development, volunteering and the leading role of young people in development.
- You believe in the values of Restless Development.
- Have a desire to achieve the goals of your placement.
- Be adaptable and flexible and be willing to work as part of a team and in partnership with national volunteers.
- Hold a sensitivity to other views and be willing and able to listen to others.
- Be able to cope with limited resources with a commitment to learning as well as giving.
- Be able to commit to the timeframes and funding of your placement.
- Be able to provide references and a full CRB check.
We don't want cost to be a barrier to anyone taking part. Therefore, depending on your/or your household's income, you will either be offered a fully subsidised placement or be asked to make a contribution to your placement.
For more information contact the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on (0191) 567 8902 or email sunderlandvc@aol.com
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Important information on the new v 24 /24 Full Time, Personal Development Programme.
The programme is currently looking to recruit the first 10 young people to begin this programme on July 4th. You must be eager and willing to stick this programme out as we only have one chance with the 10 young person selected. We can not re-recruit following drop out.
DfE 24/24 Programme
24 hours a week for 24 weeks.
The programme will engage young people aged 16-19 in 24 weeks of structured, full time volunteering and social action activity.
We will have three intakes of 10 young people over a two year period, i.e. 30 young people in total.
The placement structure will be:
• 24 weeks duration x 3 cohorts over 2 years
• 4 days / 24 hours per week of volunteering commitment
The programme will contain 3 modules
- Induction / Orientation ( Part of the induction will be on residential at our Allenheads Lodge Residential Centre )
- Project planning, development and delivery (each young person is supported to develop a social action project)
- Support & Progression
Target Group
The target audience for this programme will be young people who are: 16-19 year old NEET and come from one or more of the following groups:
– in care/care leaver – young carer
– ex-offender – refugee
– lone parent – have a disability
– low educational attainment (fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades A-C)
– homeless/experienced homelessness
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Benefits for the young people
Each participant will have access to:
- Mid point review
- £200 Enterprise / Project grant per young person to deliver a social action project
- Level Two accredited qualification (National learning provider link to ensure participants gain a level 2 qualification
- £250 personal development grant at the end of the programme
For more information please contact Brian Watson MBE, Volunteering Manager on 0191 5640291 or 07711232245.
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Northumbria Circles
Barnardo's is seeking to recruit Rehabilitation Volunteers aged 18+ for this exciting and innovative addition to the work of protecting and safeguarding children through direct work with sex offenders. Northumbria Circles is now a year old and there are 24 volunteers working in 5 Circles supporting the rehabilitation of 5 offenders who have sexually abused children.
Circles of support and accountability have impressive results in successfully supporting the reintegration of offenders who have sexually abused, back into the community. We are hoping to increase the number of Circles and need volunteers from a cross section of society. We are short of adults over 30 and particularly of male volunteers. The commitment is one evening a week. The next training course is Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th July 2011.
What is the Circle about? The circle helps an offender who has sexually abused children to reintegrate responsibly into the community, thereby enhancing public safety when there is a perceived element of risk. It is able to act as a support and safety mechanism for both the offender and the community.
What does a Circle look like? A Circle is a group of trained volunteers recruited from the community that is set up at the request of public protection agencies (mainly probation officers) for an offender who wants to stop offending. The project works alongside others, such as family members, police and probation services.
A circle meets weekly for at least 3 months with the Core member and the project’s volunteers are supported and supervised by the Circles coordinator throughout the period of contact with offenders. The pattern of contact can vary after 3 months but it will be managed in relation to risk and the work undertaken.
Who are the volunteers? Volunteers are recruited from all walks of life as no qualifications are required and they receive 2 days initial training with ongoing support and supervision by the Circles Coordinator. Volunteers need to be able to work with offenders who commit offences of sexual abuse and have the ability to work in a group. There is a weekly commitment for a period of 18 months as this is the average length of a Circle. Volunteers are Barnardo’s volunteers and are subject to CRB checks, references and must follow the organisational induction programme.
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Volunteer Centre Sunderland, 4 Toward Road, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 2QF
TEl (0191) 5678902, Fax (0191) 5678906 sunderlandvc@aol.com MAP HERE |
