Volunteering

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Transport Solutions need Volunteer Drivers

October 23, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Volunteering tagged , ,

People often struggle to find appropriate transport to attend their  hospital appointments. Transport Solutions Volunteer Drivers make a positive  difference by enabling people to access vital hospital appointments.  Have you got time to give?

If you are interested in volunteering, you will be making an invaluable contribution in supporting people through some of the most difficult times of their lives. You will:

• be volunteering at a time to suit you
• be supported by volunteer co-ordinator and team
• have out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• find it an enriching experience
• meet new people

If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Volunteer  Co-ordinator for more details.   Telephone 0121 612 2939
or fax 0121 612 2934

Review of Sandwell Make a Difference Day Volunteer Recruitment Fair

October 23, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged ,

Staff and volunteers from Volunteer Centre Sandwell and over thirty voluntary and community groups, attended Sandwell’s highly successful Make a Difference Volunteer Recruitment Fair, on Tuesday, 17 October.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with so many people actively seeking volunteering opportunities. It was a real pleasure to be able to have a chat with those interested in finding out more about what we do!

Over 60 individuals expressed an interest in current opportunities, 27 individuals completed registration forms after having a chat with groups recruiting volunteers on the day!

Feedback from 95% of organisations said that the day was extremely well organised. Several  groups took to twitter to spread the word about Make a Difference Day!

Although there were dozens of other organisations keen to recruit new volunteers,  North Smethwick Development Trust based in Brasshouse Lane, seemed to capture the imagination of quite a few of the people who attended the Fair.

Positive reports were from received reports from Sandwell Libraries, Victim Support, Age UK Sandwell, National Memorial Arboretum, all who are seeking to recruit volunteers from diverse communities.

The Volunteer Centre is currently on the lookout for additional volunteers to help out with finance, legal, fundraising, marketing, web design, reception duties, ground maintenance also nursery management.

Jean Taylor chief executive officer said “with over 230 new volunteering opportunities being offered by organisations and groups, we always welcome new volunteers who are interested in bringing new ideas initiatives and skills, to benefit local causes. So if that sounds like you, please be in touch! We’d love to hear from you”!

 

Community Transport looking for Volunteer Drivers

October 16, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged ,

Can you spare some time to help others?  Community Transport is looking for Volunteer Drivers to transport elderly vulnerable people who struggle or are unable to use public transport, to get to medical appointments, shopping or attend social activities.

As a Volunteer Driver you will incur no personal costs as you will receive car mileage and be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.

If you would like to volunteer or would like to know more about being a Volunteer Driver, please get in touch with CT Passenger on 0845 209 0191,  or email SWPassenger@communitytransport.org

Visit ctpassenger.org

Make a real difference and volunteer

October 2, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, News and Events, VCS Feature tagged , , ,

Community-spirited people are being urged to find out about a host of volunteering opportunities in Sandwell and make a difference.

Volunteer Centre Sandwell is championing national Make a Difference Day on October 17 which puts people and volunteer opportunities together.

The centre has joined forces with more than 40 community groups, voluntary organisations and agencies to promote lots of volunteering opportunities in Sandwell.

And it is encouraging people to go along to Wednesbury Town Hall, in Holyhead Road, between 10am-2pm on Make a Difference Day to find out more about it.

People can find out about everything from helping out in charity shops, getting involved in community art projects, mentoring, befriending, administration, advice work and much more.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader, said: “Volunteering is win-win because it not only helps others but also benefits the person volunteering in many ways. There are lots of options and ways to volunteer and I would urge people to go along to Wednesbury Town Hall and find our more on Make a Difference Day.”

Jean Taylor, Sandwell Volunteer Centre chief executive, said “Volunteering gives people the chance to come together and address the issues we all face. Getting involved with charities, agencies and voluntary groups means helping to build a stronger more vibrant community.”

For more information www.volunteercentresandwell.org.uk  or email reuben@volunteercentresandwell.co.uk.  Telephone 0121 544 8326.

 

 

 

Visit the website

Smethwick Library Friends Group – Coffee Morning

September 25, 2017by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Did you know...?, News and Events, Safer, Stronger Communities, VCS Feature, Volunteering tagged , ,

Smethwick Library is looking to form a ‘Friends Group’ who will support the development of library events and activities – benefiting our community, fundraising activities and promoting the benefits of library membership all with a view of helping your local community to expand the range of opportunities available to them on their doorstep!

If you have some spare time and are interested in helping in the local community, then please come along to the Friends Group’s Coffee Morning at Smethwick Library on Wednesday 4 October between 11am – 12.30pm. Library staff will be on hand to have a chat about what being part of Smethwick Library Friends Group might involve.

Please feel free to share our invitation with anyone you know who might be interested in getting involved and helping us to support the diverse needs of our community.

For more information please contact Smethwick Library on 0121 558 0497 or email Smethwick_library@Sandwell.gov.uk

Annual Report on Volunteering Supply and Demand Summer 2017

September 25, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged

Is this figure changing? The proportion of people formally volunteering at least once a month is now significantly higher than in 2010/11 (29% compared to 25%) and is higher than in all years since 2007-08. The proportion of people who formally volunteered at least once a year over the same period has also significantly increased from 39% in 2010/11 to 44% in 2012/13, and is at its highest level for three years. It is possible that the Olympic and Paralympic Games have inspired more people to volunteer and placed volunteering higher in the public consciousness. Therefore, there may be a dip in volunteering in future years. However, in any event, people are still volunteering in very large numbers.

So who is volunteering? Perhaps surprisingly, people in employment are more likely to volunteer than those who are economically inactive (48% and 40% respectively, and 34% for people who are unemployed). The age range most likely to volunteer is aged 35 to 49 (almost half of these people formally volunteer at least once a year compared to 41% of those aged 26 to 34. However, older people (aged 65 to 74) are most likely to volunteer frequently, at least once a month. Women were slightly more likely than men to volunteer, with 46% of women volunteering compared to 42% of men.

Read the report in full

Spotlight on Midland Film and Art

September 25, 2017by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Did you know...?, Local Impact Spotlight tagged , ,

1. Tell us what you do.
Midland Film and Art (MFAA) was established 2014 with the aim of advancing the education, understanding and appreciation of all aspects of art, film, craft and allied techniques.

In August 2017 MFAA took on The Art Yard in Reddal Hill Road, Cradley Heath; with a view of improving public access to art and creating three distinct multi-purpose art and craft galleries.

Our first monthly exhibitions commenced in September 2017 showcasing the work of local artists and others. MFAA’s exhibitors demonstrated a wide range of skills, abilities and experiences all adding to the eclectic mix we are keen to encourage.

MFAA relies on volunteers to run the galleries during normal weekly shopping hours and plans are underway to introduce Life Drawing and painting classes led by former college tutors and experienced professional artists.

2. What is your proudest achievement?
Our proudest achievement to date is that by using funds donated by Cradley Heath Film, MFAA members and sponsors, together with volunteer time, the demise of The Art Yard was prevented and the premises refurbished, access to art increased and the first pubic exhibition was opened within one month of MFAA taking over the premises.

The anecdotal evidence from visitors and exhibitors alike is that The Art Yard is a welcome facility that is providing new life within the surrounding community and a much required outlet for artists to publicly showcase their work.

3. What is your experience of support received from SCVO?
The Art Yard is new to SCVO and what it however, SCVO have been extremely interested in what The Art Yard can offer within the community and have agreed where possible to help MFAA going forward.

4. What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Sandwell?
The most valuable lessons MFAA has learned is that Sandwell is made up of one of the most diverse blends of communities in the West Midlands which taps into and maintains links with a wide range of arts and crafts that emanate from such a diverse range of people from all walks of life.

5. What are your plans for the future and some of the challenges you face?
Moving forward, MFAA intends to ensure that The Art Yard remains financially independent of its patrons’ support.

6. How can SCVO help to support your organisation in the future?
MFAA (at The Art Yard) would welcome any support SCVO can provide to help move the project forward; help obtain resources; assist in promoting The Art Yard to the wider public and help to establish the organisation within Sandwell’s communities.

If you are interested in exhibiting in the Art Yard  please refer to our e-bulletin post entitled ‘The Art Yard – Call for Artists’ or would like further information on how you can get involved at the Art Yard please email Warren at infoartyard@gmail.com

Volunteers wanted to take part in a public art project

September 4, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Volunteering tagged , ,

Creative Black Country is looking for volunteers to be part of the Joke Exchange at the Funny Things Festival, by holding up placards that tell jokes that have been collected from the people of Wolverhampton.

The Joke Exchange is a public art project by Redhawk Logistica, commissioned by Creative Black Country as part of the Funny Things Festival, a new comedy festival for Wolverhampton and the Black Country which takes place on 23 October to 7 November, in venues across Wolverhampton.

There are plenty of other opportunities to volunteer to be part of the Funny Things Festival, handing out flyers during the month before the festival, stewarding events and supporting participatory activities. All volunteers will get their travel expenses covered and get the opportunity to attend events for free or at special reduced ticket prices during the festival.

Click here to find out more and to sign-up to be a volunteer.

 

KeyRing Support seeks Community Living Volunteers

August 29, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Volunteering tagged , ,

KeyRing Support seeks to recruit Community Living Volunteers.  The role of Community Living Volunteer includes 14 hours of support to vulnerable adults within the Sandwell area. Volunteers assist with a wide range of tasks such as housing, bills, benefits and community activities.

The role requires no experience as training will be given.  KeyRing Support can offer free accommodation.  Successful candidates are subject to a DBS check.

For further information please contact Lucy on 07534 350 167, email lucy.haddon@keyring.org or Michelle on 07974 673 154, email michelle.lloyd@keyring.org

 

Emconet seeks Volunteers

August 29, 2017by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged

Emconet is a Smethwick based registered charity, led by migrants and aimed on improving Eastern European migrants’ economic and social aspects of integration in the UK.

The goal of Emconet is to help East-Europeans regain their confidence, learn about their rights and responsibilities within the UK job market and be able to live, work and become fully integrated in the community without the fear of being excluded due to their cultural background.

The group is looking for volunteers to work in a variety of roles. Please click on link
to find out more about the role and how to register your interest.

Administrative Assistant
Information and Advice
Befriender – Coach
Community Support Worker

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