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.
ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY – DEMENTIA ADVISER
Dementia Adviser volunteers provide a key role in supporting the Dementia Advisers to provide an effective information and signposting service to individuals who have a diagnosis of dementia, or are in the process of receiving a diagnosis as well as their immediate family and friends.
No special qualifications or experience needed. The role may be ideal for you if you are: a good listener and able to communicate clearly, have empathy and an understanding or experience of dementia – or want to learn. Have an understanding of the health and social care environment or are willing to learn, have basic IT skills and able to maintain clear record keeping.
The role is flexible but you need to be able to commit to a minimum of half a day per week and to maintain continuity over at least a year. Ongoing training and support will be provided.
ROSEBERRY COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM
Assist individuals and disadvantaged groups of young people by delivering education projects in the arts, life skills and horticulture projects. They help develop the young people’s capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals. The groups and individuals they work with are: looked after young people, NEET, young people in poverty and those challenged by Dyspraxia and Dyslexia. The organisation is run and operated by volunteers directed by a dedicated team of six trustees and supported by a variety of in-kind support from other like-minded organisations. They are looking for volunteers for:
- PLOT TO PLATE
- Plot to Plate is an ideal opportunity to build and develop a community garden. Plenty of opportunities available including digging, planting, weeding, craft, art, cooking. No experience necessary.
- DYSPRAXIA SUPPORT GROUP
- The volunteer offers one to one support and assistance to young people aged 13 to 25 years old affected by Dyspraxia eg group activities, making new social connections, develop skills and confidence. No experience is necessary but volunteers need to be creative, sociable and interested in the charity sector.
AGE UK – BEFRIENDER
Age UK befriending service has a waiting list of people who have requested a befriender! As a befriender with Age UK, 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 to identify particular training needs, dementia awareness.
You can also work from home as a telephone befriender – out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
KICK OFF THE SUMMER – FRIENDS OF REDCAR
Friends of Redcar urgently need 20+ volunteers per day to help with the ‘Kick Off the Summer’ event on Saturday 28th Sunday 29th and Bank Holiday Monday 30th May. Roles include Stewarding, helping to set up/dismantle stalls, minding stalls, helping sculptures create art, even run an event such as sandcastle comp or treasure litter pick.
Briefs start at 7:30am and 1:30pm each day and action ends around 8pm at its peak 28th and 29th.
WINKIES CASTLE FOLK MUSEUM
Winkies Castle is situated in a small white cottage founded in the 16th century. There is a different display each year with many unique hands-on artifacts from hundreds of years of Marske’s history for visitors to explore. There is also a large collection of photographs, newspapers and other printed material which may be viewed on a touch screen for enjoyment or research.
The Museum is run entirely by Volunteers, and open 3 days a week. They need help in reception; someone to meet + greet visitors etc. You do not have to be an historian – training will be given, hours to suit.
TEESSIDE & DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
Volunteers are needed to drive a minibus to pick blind/partially sighted clients up from their home, transport them to the social centre in Middlesbrough, also guide the clients into the centre and collect them at 2 pm to transport and guide them safely back into their home. Volunteers must have a full clean driving license, have good communication skills and a friendly personality. Visual awareness training given prior to placement.
CLEVELAND IRONSTONE MINING MUSEUM – SKINNINGROVE
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).
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION CHARITY SHOP REDCAR
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.
NEXT STEP 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.
ARTSBASE
ArtsBase promote a safe and therapeutic environment for individuals and groups to have access to Art Psychotherapies and Open Art Groups.
Artsbase are looking for Creative individuals with a sound knowledge of mental health issues to join their Team. The successful volunteers will have a creative background and be enthusiastic about the Arts. In addition to this we are looking for individuals who have a particular interest in how Art in all its forms is beneficial for vulnerable individuals.
You will have the opportunity to work alongside a range of artists and become involved in exciting creative projects, exhibitions and performances. You will be supported by the ArtsBase team and have access to training, supervision and our Volunteer led group ArtSpeak. You will have access to our Professional Self Care Programme (PSCP) which currently delivers a weekly singing group and a mindfulness group.
LINK CHARITABLE TRUST– Trustee/Secretary
The Link Charitable Trust promote good health for the public benefit, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing support for children, young people and families suffering from emotional well-being and mental health issues.
Duties of a Trustee/Secretary may include planning/preparing committee meetings and AGM take minutes, maintain membership records, deal with correspondence.
BEANSTALK READING HELPERS
Beanstalk is a national charity and their aim is to build a nation of confident children who are literate for life by training and supporting a team of amazing people who volunteer their time to become reading helpers in a local school. Beanstalk ask that you are able to commit to 3 hours a week (broken down into two one-and-a-half hour sessions, mostly in the afternoon) and that you are able to do this during term time and school hours. Reliability is paramount so you must be able to commit to a minimum of one school year to ensure the children get the consistent support they need.
You would need to undertake a 7 hour pre-placement training course and would receive on-going support from Beanstalk Volunteer Support Worker once placed in a school.
More information can be found on www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk
If you, or someone you know, is interested in any of these volunteering opportunities please complete this registration form and return to trish@rcvda.org.uk indicating which opportunity you are interested in, or contact Trish on 01642 440571 for further information.
