Volunteers Week What’s On 1 to 7 June 2009
Celebrating 25 years of National Volunteers Week
Everyone is invited to join this national celebration of volunteering, it’s up to you to decide exactly how you join in. This booklet contains information about some of the activities taking place locally which you can get involved in. Volunteers Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year. This year, Volunteers Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Volunteers Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly contribute to society, while inspiring others to get involved too.
– all week event – The Great & The Good of Tunbridge Wells Monday 1 June 2009 Launch at 12 noon – 2.30pm and continues throughout the week
At Trinity Gallery at Trinity Theatre 1–7 June
A photographic exhibition at Trinity Gallery celebrating volunteers in our communities. Often these unsung heroes who give their time and energy to many local causes go unrewarded even though their work creates so much for people around them. Captured in beautiful pictures and their own stories, come and celebrate their achievement and, who knows, perhaps become inspired to volunteer yourself.
Run by Town and Country Foundation.
Contact Dawn Grant on 01892 501702 for more information.
– Monday – Dunorlan Park – Meet the Volunteers morning Your chance to meet the Head Gardener and his volunteer team.
Monday 1 June 2009 10.00am – 12.30pm
The volunteer gardeners will be working in the park – signs at the main entrances to the park will explain how to find them.
Volunteer activities at Dunorlan Park include: gardening and monitoring plants and wildlife. Enthusiasm is more important than experience!
Call in and meet Tony Ewins, Head Gardener, and chat to the Monday morning volunteer team.
Organised by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and English Landscapes.
For more information contact 01892 554029.
Get More Out Of Life with Volunteering Monday 1 June 2009 9am – 6pm
At Royal Victoria Place. Exhibition area on the upper floor close to Marks and Spencer. Get more out of life – come along to our volunteering showcase and find out how to: a. make new friends c. find new interests b. learn new skills d. help your community Representatives from local voluntary organisations and community groups will be available to talk to you about how you can get involved in helping them with their important work. These include: Hospice in the Weald; West Kent Positive Support; VSU Youth in Action; 3H Fund; Pickering Centre; TW Mental Health Resource; Diabetes UK; South East Sevenoaks Air Squadron; KCA; British Heart Foundation; Children’s Centres; Working Horse Trust; RNIB; Kent Scouts; Hospices of Hope; Barnardos; RSPB; Cards for Good Causes; British Legion; Contact-the-Elderly; National Society for Epilepsy; TW Hospital Radio; CSV BBC Action Desk; Self Unlimited; Kent Events; CSV; Headway; Victim Support; Parents Plus; Leonard Cheshire, Chipstead; Compaid; NT Southeast Region; Eden Air Cadets; Governors One Stop Shop.
Run by Voluntary Action West Kent in partnership with Town and Country Housing Foundation and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Contact Christine Terry 01732 866901 or Jessica Morris 01892 554438 for more information.
– TUESDAY – Non-contact Boxing Every Tuesday 6 – 6.45pm (Boys and Girls) 7 – 7.30pm (Girls Only)
£1.50 under 16yrs old £3 over 16yrs old
At Number One Community Centre (Library) Rowantree Road, Showfields Estate, Royal Tunbridge Wells
All welcome, please drop in or call Jamie on 07931 158586.
Also, everyone is invited to the No.1 Community Centre’s FUN DAY on Saturday 18 July.
Run by Number One Community Centre.
Contact Jamie Johnson on 07931 158586 for more information.
The Val Joy Community Awards 2009 Tuesday 2 June 2009 12pm – 3pm
The ceremony on 2 June will publicly thank those nominated and celebrate community spirit. Held at the Christian Centre, Hanover Road , Royal Tunbridge Wells (behind Tesco’s).
Town & Country Foundation’s Val Joy Community Awards recognise local people who give up their time to improve community life.
The categories are:
■ Young Volunteer of the Year ■ Volunteer of the Year ■ Community Group of the Year ■ Community Champion of the Year ■ Good Neighbour Award
The person or group must live on a Town & Country Housing Group estate as a tenant or resident.
Val Joy Community Awards celebrate the unpaid work to improve community life done by Town & Country Housing’s residents.
Contact Dawn Grant on 01892 501702 for more information.
– WEDNESday – Tackling the Himalayas Invasive species control on a nature reserve, involving hand-pulling plants.
Wednesday 3 June 2009 10am to 3pm including a 45 minute break for lunch
At Hilbert Woods Local Nature Reserve, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Meet at the big iron gates at the end of Hilbert Road. We ask all new volunteers to fill in a health check form.
Himalayan Balsam, a non-native species of flower, has taken hold at Hilbert Woods and threatens to crowd out some of our more delicate native wildflowers. Help us to look after this important nature reserve by tackling this floral menace before it sets seed for another year.
Organised by Kent High Weald Partnership.
For more information contact Nick Robinson on 01580 212972
PHOTO : Bluebells, a native wildflower often found in ancient woodland, is one of the species that Himalayan Balsam can threaten.
Health Walk Wednesday 3 June 2009 12.30pm – approx 45 mins
Starting at Five Ways at the Millenium Clock, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Health walks are a great way of meeting new people, getting fit, getting out and about and getting to know the area.
We go at your pace and they last between 30 mins and one hour. If you enjoy the walk, why not think about becoming a volunteer walk leader – we will train you free of charge and you can commit to do as many as you feel happy with.
To join in the walk, all you need to do is turn up.
We will ask you to complete a short registration form but other than that all you need are sensible shoes and appropriate clothing. Walking will be at your pace and in a relaxed and informal setting.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council organise these walks but they are often led by volunteer leaders.
Contact Helen Wolstenholme, Healthier Communities Coordinator, 01892 554230 for more information.
Pickering Centre Cancer Drop-in Centre Wednesday 3 June 2009 10am – 4pm
At 27 Monson Road
Got time on your hands? - pop in to find out more about the valuable support and work that we do.
For more information call 01892 511880
Volunteer Centre Sevenoaks in the Market Wednesday 3 June 2009 9am – 12 noon
At Sevenoaks Market
Find out about getting involved in your community and do your shopping too! Run by Volunteer Centre Sevenoaks. Contact Christine Terry on 01732 866901 for more information. – THURSday – Volunteer Centre Edenbridge in the Market Thursday 4 June 2009 9am – 12 noon
Edenbridge Market
Meet volunteer centre staff, find out about helping in your community and do your shopping! Run by Volunteer Centre Edenbridge. Contact Christine Terry on 01732 866901 for more information. – FRIday – Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery Volunteering Open Day Friday 5 June 2009 9.30am – 5pm
Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery Civic Centre, Mount Pleasant Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JN
Drop-in to find out about volunteering opportunities at the Museum & Art Gallery and register your interest.
Run by: Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery. Contact Katrina Burton on 01892 554171 for more information. A regular volunteer gets to grips with a documentation task at the Museum & Art Gallery.
Residents Coffee Morning Friday 5th June 2009 10.30am – 12.00 noon
Monson House, Monson Way, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Come along and find out more about Town and Country’s Charitable Foundation and how if you are a tenant of Town and Country Housing you can get involved in our Tenants Representative Committee. This will be your chance to meet TRC members, understand the role of the TRC, and find out about all the other ways you can assist us. We offer free training and cover all your out-of-pocket expenses.
For more information call 01892 501688. – SATURday – TN2 Walking Carnival Saturday 6 June 2009 10am – 5pm
In and around TN2 Community Centre, Sherwood.
On Saturday 6 June, TN2 will be hosting a Walking Carnival through Sherwood, an Arts and Crafts Fair, and a Family Fun Day. This will be a busy day, and you will see representatives of all the activities that go on at TN2 and the surrounding area. Come to the TN2 stall for more information about how you can get involved. Run by TN2 Community Trust. Contact Alison Baker on 01892 538230 for more information.
– SUNday – Weald Forest Ridge Conservation Day Sunday 7 June 2009 11am – 2pm (3 hours)
An opportunity to work out doors and learn new skills; take part in a conservation based activity within an ancient forest of the Weald Forest Ridge.
At Weald Forest Ridge (Broadwater Warren – to be confirmed) Contact BTCV Community Project Officer for details.
This event is all about raising awareness of the Weald Forest Ridge (a few miles from Tunbridge Wells) by involving volunteers in a practical conservation task within the Weald Forest Ridge. Over the years the Ridge has become overshadowed by the wider High Weald AONB; today BTCV will be working in partnership to provide opportunities for people to make a positive, practical contribution to the environment around them, at the same time improving their own health, gaining new skills and meeting people.
A minibus will be provided to pick-up volunteers from a suitable town location. Full training, tools and tea and biscuits will be provided.
Volunteers need to register for this event – contact details below.
Organised by British Trust Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).
Contact Warren Young (BTCV Community Project Officer Weald Forest Ridge) by e-mail: [email protected] or phone 07740 899 678
Hedge-laying on the Weald Other Volunteering Opportunities Health Trainers This is an on-going initiative. The next training will be held in Tonbridge. Telephone: 01622 723824 for details.
Health trainers are a new nationwide workforce supporting individuals from within their own communities.
A health trainer offers tailored advice, motivation and practical support to individuals who want to adopt healthier lifestyles.
After initial training you will be able to be a volunteer health trainer. If you like, you can do further training and become a paid worker.
Run by West Kent NHS. Contact the Health Trainer Coordinator on 01622 723824 for more information.
Time2Give Time2Give is an exciting volunteering programme with Kent Libraries & Archives, giving people from across the county the opportunity to get involved with their local library or archives centre.
There is a wide range of interesting activities at different times and places, including delivering books to customers who cannot come to the library; helping people with computer queries; assisting staff with Baby Rhyme Time or Homework sessions; helping with local studies research and information management; and developing reading gardens. All help enrich and enhance Libraries & Archives services. No specific experience is needed for most activities.
All volunteers receive training for their role and ongoing support from staff and other volunteers. We provide expenses and free reservations and audiovisual hire for our volunteers.
For the latest vacancy information, ask your local library or archive centre; log on to www.kent.gov.uk/libraries, e-mail [email protected] or call 01622 696468
10 11 Active Tunbridge Wells Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has set up a Community Sports Network called Active Tunbridge Wells. A Community Sport Network (CSN) is an initiative that involves a collection of organisations that have a desire to develop and promote sport and physical activity in their local area. Active Tunbridge Wells has representatives from Tunbridge Wells Schools Sports Partnership, Fusion Lifestyle, Forestry Commission – Bedgebury, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, KCC Wardens, West Kent College, Kent High Weald Project, VAWK, VSU and a number of local sports clubs.
Active Tunbridge Wells was launched in November 2008 and has three main priorities: to increase participation in physical activity, improve communication and increase volunteering opportunities.
If you would like any more information about Active Tunbridge Wells or any sports related volunteering opportunities please contact Natalie Coode, Sports and Wellbeing Officer on 01892 554201 or email [email protected].
Volunteering There are opportunities in the Tunbridge Wells area for volunteering:
Monday: Children’s Club at TWGGS 3.45 to 5.15pm
Tuesday: Oakley Girls Club 4 to 5.15pm (Transport from TWWGS provided)
Tuesday: Ladders for Young People with Disabilities 6 to 7.30pm TWGGS
Thursday: See Saw Younger Children with Disabilities 4.15 to 5.45pm at the Sunrise Centre, Southborough (Transport from TWGGS provided)
Sunday 7 June: Weekend Fun Club 15–18 yr olds with learning difficulties
Sunday 14 June: Weekend Fun Club for 10–15 yr olds with learning difficulties. Details from Jen on 07930 509910.
All of these opportunities are based at Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School and if they are out of base activities transport is provided.
All of the opportunities we offer are about you, the volunteer; the clubs are run around your ideas and enthusiasm. We train you to the specific needs of the club, offer you great ways to develop your own skills and to build on them. They are all great fun and a fantastic way of helping your community. Just contact Alex on 01732 362699 or 07932 878750 or [email protected].
VSU is the leading Kent Young Volunteer organisation with many fantastic ways to get involved. Ranging from term time weekly projects, weekend work, one off events, and a great summer scheme too! 10 11 If you require this information in large print, on audiotape or in any other format, please contact us on 01892 526121.
This leaflet was produced in partnership by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town & Country Housing Group and Volunteer Centre Tunbridge Wells .