Volunteering

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Free English Courses and Free Teacher Training through Talk English

May 20, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged ,

Talk English is a community based volunteer led project which delivers free beginner English classes to local communities. Classes are 12 – 15 weeks long and can be delivered in one and a half to two and half hour sessions per week.  Certificates are issued to learners once their course has been completed.

Fircroft College is currently looking to expand provision into Sandwell from September 2019 onwards and is looking for:

* Partner organisations who are working with beneficiaries who can host a course.

* Volunteer teachers can attend a free two-day teacher training course available at Fircroft College during May and June 2019. Please visit https://www.fircroft.ac.uk/esol-teacher-training for more information.

You can read more about the Talk English Project at https://www.fircroft.ac.uk/talk-english

Please feel free to contact Neena Chauhan (Project Manager) at neena.chauhan@fircroft.ac.uk or on 07719 257 319.

Company Secretary required at The GAP Centre

May 13, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged ,

The GAP Christian Family Centre is a friendly community centre in Hargate Lane, West Bromwich, from which many services are run.  The Centre is seeking to recruit a Company Secretary.

This is primarily an administrative role. You will organise the agenda for Directors’ meetings, take minutes and ensure all relevant compliance information is accurately maintained, and action points followed up. One of your main tasks will be to support the Chair, as you make sure the Board of Directors conducts itself professionally and effectively and provide sound governance of the Charity.

To see the person spec and a comprehensive list of the main responsibilities, click here. Interested? Please email Les Trumpeter on l_trumpeter@hotmail.com.

This is a voluntary position with expenses paid, where required.

Volunteers Wanted for Creative Heritage Project Finding Our Funny Roots

May 13, 2019by Leona in Blog, Volunteering tagged

Creative Black Country are looking for volunteers to support their National Heritage Lottery funded project Finding Our Funny Roots (FOFR).

The project will explore how humour in the Black Country is rooted in the heritage of comedians from the past and we’re looking for volunteers to support the project by helping to identify research and record the heritage of humour in the Black Country from 1950 -2000. Volunteers will work with Creative Black Country, the artists Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists and archives & museums in the Black Country to research and develop four heritage humour tributes celebrating the lives of the Black Country’s forgotten stars.

Volunteers will help film the performances and assist in capturing memories through oral history recordings as well as help form this media into digital stories, which will be available online, creating an archive of Black Country humour heritage.

What being a Heritage Tributes Action Group Volunteer involves:
• Research and source content about Black Country humour including heritage performers, local language, comedy venues and local comedy experiences;
• Attend training events including oral history, heritage research and film & editing basics;
• Contribute to social media content;
• Record oral history interviews and create interview summaries;
• Work with the artists Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists to create heritage tribute performances and films
• Support Heritage Tributes performance events;

Your key skills:
• A team player;
• A keen eye for detail;
• An interest in local history or heritage;
• Adaptable, and keen to learn new skills;
• Able to volunteer on a regular basis;
• Able to travel to locations about the Black Country, using public transport or your own transport (for which expenses will be paid).

This is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to like to gain skills in heritage research, collecting oral history, filming & editing and to be part of the Funny Things comedy festival in Wolverhampton. It’s a chance to ensure there’s a lasting legacy of the important comedy history of the Black Country.

Travel expenses will be paid and full training provided for oral history recording, archive research, filming, editing and much more.

Volunteering for the Funny Things Comedy Festival

Creative Black Country are also looking for volunteers to help us run Funny Things, Wolverhampton’s comedy festival taking place 26 October to 2 November 2019.

This will include:
• Handing out flyers to promote the festival, as people arrive and leave comedy events in Wolverhampton during September and October, and in key city centre locations throughout the festival (26 Oct to 2 Nov)
• Stewarding events, including checking tickets on the door, answering enquiries from the public and signposting people to where events are taking place in venues where there are multiple spaces.
• Supporting participatory activities and workshops. If you wish to support children’s activities you will need to have a current DBS check;
• Event assistants, working alongside the Creative Producer to manage the events, including artist liaison, supporting event set-up and break down and running errands.

How to sign-up
• Please email info@creativeblackcountry.co.uk with Finding Our Funny Roots Heritage Volunteer in the title;
• Please give your full name, full contact details, including mobile phone number and email address;
• Deadline to sign-up as a heritage tribute volunteer is Tuesday 28 May;
• An introduction event will take place on Thursday 6 June 2019 (time and venue TBC);
• Please let us know if you’d be interested any other volunteering roles during the Funny Things Festival between 26 October and 2 November 2019.

For more information on the festival go to www.funny-things.co.uk

If you have any questions about this volunteering opportunity, please call Rosalind Argo on 0121 525 1127 or email her on info@creativeblackcountry.co.uk

Friends of Tividale Park Needs You!

May 10, 2019by Libby Mahoney in Blog, Volunteering tagged , ,

Are you a Tividale Resident?

The Friends of Tividale Park Group support plans to improve the facilities in the park, organise and develop a range of community activities and events, to bring people of all ages together to have fun and enjoy the park.

The Friends of Tividale Park Group are seeking community minded individuals to join them on their committee (on a voluntary basis). Don’t worry no prior experience is necessary, as access to training and support will be provided and you can give as little or as much time as you can spare (as a guide you need to be prepared to spare approximately 1-2 hours every week for attendance at meetings and on an occasional basis a few hours in between meetings as required).

The friends of Tividale Park are a residents’ community group who work to improve the park in various ways, including fundraising for new play equipment or improvements to the park, volunteering at community and social events held in the park. So why not get involved and help them to make Tividale Park a real hive of community activity.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills with like-minded individuals, support the development of the facilities and community activities taking place within the park.

If you would like to become a friend or for more information, please email secretary@friendsoftividalepark.org.uk

They would love to hear from anyone who is interested in making a positive difference within their community or would just like to find out more about what is involved.

The Friends of Tividale Park want to bring Tividale Park back into the heart of their community making it a community facility that everyone can be proud of!

Why not take a look at their website at www.friendsof tividalepark.org.uk

FREE Training Opportunity…Bid Writing for Charities and Community Groups

May 9, 2019by Stuart Ashmore in Funding, Training Support and Resources tagged

The Course

Get Grants’ popular “Introduction to Bid Writing for Charities & Community Groups Workshop” is aimed at organisations who are interested in increasing their income through grant funds.

Whether you have a wealth of experience in fundraising or are new to applying for grants our Introduction to Bid Writing Workshop supports attendees to explore how to identify opportunities with a range of grant programmes whilst providing advice on writing successful applications and exploring the common mistakes made by applicants.

Topics covered include:

– Finding Grants
– Finding the ‘Right’ Funder
– Completing Application Forms
– Need & Outcomes
– Top Tips

Date & Time: Tuesday 18th June 2019, 1pm to 3:30pm

Venue: The Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham. B13 8JP.

 Booking Process: To book a place on this workshop please contact Get Grants via www.getgrants.org.uk/contact-us/

Could You Be a Volunteer on 6Towns Credit Union Board of Directors?

March 7, 2019by Leona in Blog, Vacancies tagged

6Towns Credit Union is currently seeking community minded volunteers who have an interest in the financial wellbeing of people and society at large.

6Towns Credit Union provides financial services to not only the most vulnerable in society but encourages everyone to save something no matter how small. That could be through saving directly from benefits, salary or through payroll deduction.

 

The role:
To provide guidance and support within the board
To make strategic decisions on the direction of 6Towns Credit
Meet once a month for the Board meeting
Receive weekly updates
The role does not require day to day hands on input to the running of 6Towns

In the first instance please email arun.budon@sixtowns.co.uk for an application form.
Please be aware that all applicants must have an unimpaired Credit history.

The deadline for submitting an application is 1st June 2019.

6Towns Credit Union is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Home From Hospital Care seeks Volunteers for Befriending and Shopping

February 22, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Volunteering tagged , ,

Home From Hospital Care is a charity that provides aftercare for people who have recently been discharged from hospital. They support Birmingham residents in Birmingham Hospitals and, since January 2019, also support Sandwell residents who have been admitted to City Hospital.

The charity was established in 1972 and aimed to enhance the safety of hospital discharges. Today, HFHC is an essential part of the discharge planning process. They work to optimise recovery, reduce loneliness and isolation and to enhance wellbeing. Their support significantly reduces the risk of re-admission to hospital.

Volunteers help HFHC deliver the service and are most commonly involved in befriending and shopping, but there is also emotional help, benefits advice, aid to attend medical appointments, support with correspondence and form filling, a sitting-in service for carers and a cleaning and handy-man service. The service is for six weeks and it is free.

Home From Hospital Care is currently recruiting volunteers in Sandwell. Following DBS checks and training, volunteers are matched with a service user who they support for an hour each week for a six-week period. Visits can be more frequent if the volunteer feels able to commit to this. At the end of the period of facilitation, the volunteer can take a break, or be matched with another service user. It is important that volunteers commit to the six-week period so that the support provided is reliable and consistent. Home From Hospital Care can help volunteers to gain an NVQ2 with Free Courses in England, in a range of subjects, including Falls Prevention and Working in Health and Social Care.

An illness or injury and a hospital admission can be a difficult and life changing experience. Many people face this alone, or with little support. Having someone there in the weeks following discharge can reassure can transform lives.

For more information contact telephone 07483165930, email admin@home-from-hospital-care.org.uk or visit the website at www.home-from-hospital-care.org.uk

‘Do you have what it takes to join us’ – CVT Shared Lives looking to recruit Paid Carers to an innovative new Scheme across the Black Country.

February 19, 2019by Stuart Ashmore in Vacancies, Volunteering tagged ,

National charity, Camphill Village Trust, has recently been awarded the contract to deliver a Shared Lives Scheme on behalf of Dudley MBC, and are looking to recruit paid Carers to significantly expand this innovative service across the wider Borough and surrounding Black Country areas over the coming years.

As a starting point, Shared Lives is sometimes described as being similar to providing ‘foster care for adults with additional/complex needs’…but it’s so much more than that, as you support the Person to make choices and decisions, maximise independence and lead an ordinary life at the heart of the community just like you and me. Being a Shared Lives Carer, you encourage the Person to develop practical skills, build self-esteem and develop new friendships and social networks in the neighbourhood, which creates a sense of belonging.

CVT Shared Lives will provide a comprehensive induction programme and on-going support to ensure that the highest quality of care is maintained throughout each Shared Lives Arrangement. An Enhanced DBS Check and references are also required. Training will take place in your own home, via e-learning and also as a group at our community hub in Stourbridge. The Assessment process can take between 3-6 months. Once approved by an Independent Panel, you are carefully matched with a Person who comes to stay/live with you on either a live-in, short-break or day-support basis…it’s such a rewarding role!!!

96% of all Shared Lives Schemes inspected by the Care Quality Commission are rated as Good or Outstanding as people are known to lead longer, healthier, happier lives when living in the community. Not only is Shared Lives more cost effective but it also provides a viable alternative to other long-term settings such as hospital or residential care.

Registered Manager for CVT Shared Lives, Kate Morgan, said “We already have 38 households in the area supporting people with a learning disability, mental ill health, autism and physical disability. The recent demand for the service, means there is a continual need to recruit dedicated Carers and by joining our Scheme, caring people can build a paid career from their own home, doing a role they love and which is very much valued by all those involved.”

You must be over 21 years of age and don’t need any qualifications or experience, just the right values, commitment and of course…..a spare bedroom. If you don’t own your own home, you will need to ask your landlord’s permission to use your property as a Shared Lives Arrangement.

As a Shared Lives Carer you can be paid from £370 – £560+ per week, depending on the level of support you provide to the Person who comes to stay/live with you. That works out between £19-29K annually, as well as qualifying for tax relief and receiving four weeks respite.

To find out more about becoming a Shared Lives Carer , please go to www.cvt.org.uk/sharedlives Call 01384 441505. Email sharedlives@cvt.org.uk or follow us on Twitter: @CVTSharedLives

Volunteer Opportunities at Wildlife Trust

February 11, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Volunteering tagged ,

The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country have ambitious plans to grow their fundraising opportunities and are looking for flexible, organised and friendly individuals to help with community fundraising.  If you are interested in helping to grow your local Wildlife Trust and have good connections in your local community, please get in touch!

Volunteers will support with delivering a variety of community fundraising initiatives e.g. sponsored walks, pub quizzes, raffles, office dress down days and coffee mornings to raise funds for the Trust.

Volunteers may also be suited to member recruitment by supporting the team at community events.

For more information contact Emma Thompson on 0121 523 0094 or email emma.t@bbcwildlife.org.uk.

You can register your interest in volunteering online at https://members.bbcwildlife.org.uk/Volunteer-Registration – be sure to identify on the form that you are interested in volunteering as a community fundraiser.

Seeking Volunteer Chaplains for West Bromwich

January 14, 2019by Mazeline Hemmings in Blog, Did you know...?, Volunteering tagged , ,

Black Country Urban Industrial Mission is seeking to recruit volunteer Workplace Chaplains to visit with people in the Businesses, Shops and Factories of West Bromwich.

Who Are Workplace Chaplains?
Chaplains are men and women from a range of business, employment and cultural backgrounds who are good listeners.Chaplains wish to bring their faith and understanding to the world of work. Each Chaplain is a member of a church who can count on a reference from their church leader, vicar, minister or pastor.

Do you live in or close to the Black Country? Could you offer a few hours a week to be a workplace chaplain, and be part of an exciting area of the church’s mission?

One volunteer chaplain described being a Chaplain as the best experience in his Christian ministry.

A five week training course in basic Chaplaincy skills is planned for February. Dates, times and location will be decided in discussion with those who respond.

There’s no upper age limit, and workplaces can often accommodate different levels of agility. Chaplains may need to spend long periods on their feet.

Contact Bill Mash at bill.mash@bcuim.co.uk 01902 710407 for more information.

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