Volunteers are always in demand, but some local organisations have been in touch recently to say they are really quite desperate for Volunteers. Here is a handful of local opportunities available immediately if you, or someone you know are interested.
Home start
Home-Start helps families with young children deal with whatever life throws at them. They support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.
Volunteers (usually parents themselves) visit the family’s home for a couple of hours every week. They tailor-make their support to the needs of the parents and children. Volunteers are very committed and will keep visiting until the youngest child turns five or starts school, or until the parents feel they can stand on their own two feet. Parents and volunteers often develop a deeply trusting relationship which can lead to powerful change within the family. Full training will be given.
British Heart Foundation Charity Shop
Volunteers are needed to be involved in all aspects of the shop and work as part of a good team and gain valuable customer service experience! Volunteer opportunities include working on the shop floor, helping to sort out stock, selecting, pricing and displaying the best books, CDs and DVDs. British Heart Foundation offer volunteers the opportunity for NVQ levels in Retail.
Age UK – Befriender
As a befriender with Age UK Teesside, you will be making a real difference for people aged 50+ who may be lonely, isolated or struggling to manage at home. We will match you with someone who would like some help. The visits can be to offer company and support, go out for a coffee, a walk, support to attend a social group. We will offer you training and support eg induction, safeguarding, regular supervision sessions, individual training plan identifying particular training needs, dementia awareness.
Next Steps Shop
Next Step Shop is a project of Footprints in the Community. Footprints aims to help local people who are struggling financially and Next Step Shop is one way we are able to do this.
For just £2 per week members of the Next Step shop can access a range of benefits including one visit per week to the shop to purchase 10 items of groceries with a retail value of approx £10
Food is sourced from local stores/supermarkets, FareShare and His Food.
Volunteers are needed to help display and restock food items, advise customers on how the shop works and accept their membership fee on arrival at the shop.
Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum – Guides
Volunteer Guides are needed to take people on a tour of the museum, north drift and ‘the experience’ (the mines). You will need to learn the history and culture of the local area and the mine from the early 1800’s, health and safety, how to carry out gas tests in the mine and utilize radio (certificated training will be given).
If you are (or know someone who would be) interested in any of these volunteering opportunities please contact trish@rcvda.org.uk 01642 440571
