Community Action:

Central Beds & Volunteering Newsletter 11 February 2021 Included in this newsletter: • Cheering Volunteering update • Current volunteering opportunities • Staying safe whilst volunteering • Additional information – Council Coronavirus Update

Community Action Bedfordshire is the accredited Volunteer Centre for Central Bedfordshire and Luton. You are receiving this newsletter because you have either registered your interest in volunteering on the CBC website or you have registered on our online volunteering platform, Volunteer Connect, and opted-in to be part of the Volunteer Bank. www.cabeds.org.uk | [email protected] | Facebook | Twitter | @CABedfordshire Cheering Volunteering Update Coming soon!!

Cheering Volunteering - The Movie - celebrating our wonderful volunteers, is due to be released in February where all the nominated volunteers will get a mention and our presenters will announce the winners and those chosen as 'highly commended' in the following categories:

• Lifetime Achievement • Sir Captain Tom Award for Outstanding Contribution • Sport and Wellbeing • Supporting Communities during COVID • Volunteer Group of the Year • Volunteer of the Year • Young Volunteer of the Year • Panel's Choice

We will also be announcing the winners of the Inspiring Volunteer Grants awarded this year. Keep your eyes open for our release campaign which will let you know when the movie will be released and give you the details on how to view it or click here to visit our website where the link to the both the video and the downloadable programme with be available shortly.

Current volunteering opportunities

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew

Please see below current volunteering opportunities from a variety of organisations across Bedfordshire. Some roles below may be temporary to support organisations or individuals during the current COVID-19 crisis, whilst other opportunities may be ongoing, and therefore may require a regular commitment.

Organisations currently recruiting volunteers: Please scroll down to find out more and click on the role title and/or links for more information!

• Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) • Luton Borough Council • Royal Air Forces Association • RSCPA Bedfordshire South • Leighton Helpers • Penrose Roots • Citizens Advice & District • Women’s Aid in Luton

Bedfordshire volunteering opportunities

Central Bedfordshire Council – Community Champions

We are calling on people throughout Central Bedfordshire to help us to reach their friends, family, neighbours, colleagues and thousands of other local people, with trusted information and advice related to COVID-19. Sign up and join our existing network of 197 community champions.

We know there are a lot of myths that need busting and questions people are asking when it comes to COVID-19 and we need to know what they are. Which is why we are asking as many of you as possible to please sign up, reach out and help keep Central Bedfordshire safe. Anyone interested in joining our network of 197 Community Champions should visit and register here.

Do you have a hobby, passion or skill you could share with others online? Online Activities Programme in Central Bedfordshire

Central Bedfordshire Council is hosting a programme of online activities for customers who would normally attend its day centres. We are looking for volunteers who could offer 1 hour a week to provide an activity of their choice. Current volunteers are offering activities such as nature talks, memory games, sing-along’s, bingo, book readings and calming the mind sessions. If you’d like to get involved in this exciting opportunity, we would love to hear from you! For an informal chat, please email: [email protected]

Luton Council – Covid-19 Community Champions

“Luton’s volunteers and community groups have been exceptional throughout the coronavirus crisis in supporting each other and helping people in need.So many countless acts of love, care and kindness are what makes us all so proud to live and work in this wonderful town. To build on this we are looking for Covid-19 community champions from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, faiths, ages and interests to reflect the diversity of Luton, who can help pass on important public health messages and keep people safe from this deadly disease.”Councillor Khtija Malik Click here to find out more and sign up!

Royal Air Forces Association

Connections for Life Volunteer

As part of the organisation, our Connections Volunteers offer the vital connection and support our beneficiaries need. In the role of a Connections Volunteer, you will help support a lonely individual via regular telephone calls.

Depending on the beneficiary’s requirements, you will remain their volunteer for the duration of the project with the aim of integrating them back into the community and helping them become confident and independent again. As a Connections Volunteer, you will have the whole support of the Association behind you and a designated co- ordinator as your point of contact. We will provide you with all the necessary training so you can rest assured that you will have all the skills you need.

Not having someone to talk to during these challenging times can be lonely, particularly if the person is used to social activities and spending time with others. A friendly, 30-minute chat that you will offer will make all the difference.

RSPCA Bedfordshire South

Trustee

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare?

The Bedfordshire South Branch wishes to appoint a new Trustee who will report to the Chair of the Board. As a trustee you will have the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals in the local community. This is a voluntary unpaid position which typically involves a commitment of up to 1 day a week but on occasions can be more and will involve you in:

- Attending board meetings monthly, currently these meetings will be held virtually - Meeting regularly with our staff and volunteers - Completing actions between meetings - Advocating on behalf of the Bedfordshire South RSPCA

Minutes Secretary We are looking for somebody ideally with previous experience and good admin and IT skills to take accurate and detailed minutes at our monthly Trustee meetings which take place on the 2nd Monday of each month, alternating between Dunstable and . During Covid-19 our meetings are being held remotely so you will need access to a laptop to join our meetings remotely.

Leighton Linslade Helpers

Volunteer Drivers

We are currently looking for volunteer drivers to assist with our food parcel deliveries and prescriptions. We currently do deliveries Monday to Saturday and this role is extremely flexible to fit in with the volunteers’ availability. If you enjoy being part of a team and would like to help please email [email protected] to arrange to come in for a chat to find out more about the role.

Penrose Roots - Luton

Gardening Volunteer – Roots to Recovery Garden

The Roots to Recovery Garden in Luton is a community hub promoting inclusivity, good physical and mental health through nature. The garden which sits in 1.5 acres of land and during the winter months, is currently open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am -2pm. We would like to hear from anyone over the age of 18, ideally with a knowledge of gardening and plant care (whether professionally or as a hobby) and who is a self-starter and able to plan and run weekly gardening group sessions to develop and maintain the garden whilst providing support and encouragement to clients who attend. Main tasks will include replanting, cutting back, weeding and facilitating workshops in basic gardening and growing vegetables.

Lead gardening sessions run for approximately 2 hours and days and times can be flexible to suit the volunteer. Staff will be on hand for support during sessions as volunteers become acquainted with the garden and clients. Volunteers will receive regular supervisions iIdeally we would like volunteers to be able to help for 4 hours a week for a minimum of a 6 week period. If this sounds like the opportunity for you please email: [email protected]

Citizens Advice Dunstable & District

Volunteer Treasurer Are you a retired professional or graduate seeking valuable experience in your chosen field? Or simply feel you have skills you can offer your local community? We are looking to recruit a volunteer Treasurer/Bookkeeper who will also sit on our board of trustees. Financial knowledge/experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. If you would like more information on what the role entails, or would like to express an interest in applying, please contact the Chief Officer on 01582 670003 or by email, on [email protected]. Trustees Do you want to help change people’s lives? Do you want to give something back to your community?

Citizens Advice Dunstable & District is looking to recruit new Trustees to sit on our board of directors with skills in the following areas: Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Business Improvement and Quality. This however is not an exhaustive list and should not deter anyone from applying. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

For further information, or to arrange an informal discussion with our Chief Officer, please contact us: [email protected] or 01582 670003

Women’s Aid in Luton

Women’s Aid in Luton is the sole provider of refuge accommodation in Luton for women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse. We are looking to strengthen our existing Board of Trustees through recruiting additional people to sit on our Board and individuals who have expertise in all aspects of strategy and leadership.

At the heart of our service is the desire to provide safe, secure and confidential accommodation for women and their children and give them the practical and emotional support that they need to start afresh. Our dedicated team of specialist staff support women accessing our services and act as an advocate for them as they empower themselves to build a new life for themselves and their family.

We are currently looking to strengthen our governance team so if you have some time, energy and interest in the domestic violence sector and believe you could make a difference to Women’s Aid in Luton, we would love to hear from you. We are particularly interested in encouraging applicants from a diverse background to reflect the community we work within and the women and families we support. The Board hold between 10-12 board meetings annually and there are an additional 2 half day planning days and periodic sub-committee meetings as well as the annual AGM. Meetings take place at our premises in Luton or via Zoom.

Chairperson We are looking to strengthen our existing Board of Trustees and are looking to recruit a Chairperson to provide leadership and direction to the Board.

Treasurer We are looking to strengthen our existing Board of Trustees and particularly looking to recruit a Treasurer with expertise in finance to:

• Lead on financial matters for the Board. • Report to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals on its financial health. • Analyse, propose and challenge financial proposals and their consequences. • Make recommendations to the Board with regard to financial matters. • Work with the Business & Finance Manager, ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.

Trustee Trustees are responsible for the overall governance of the Charity; ensuring decisions that are taken serve to support the Organisations’ strategic goals and aims and contribute to the on-going sustainability and growth of the Charity. If you have an interest in the domestic violence sector and believe you could make a difference to Women’s Aid in Luton, we would love to hear from you.

Staying safe

Keeping Safe whilst Volunteering

Always follow the Government staying alert and safe social distancing guidance even when you are helping others or volunteering.

If you are returning to a volunteer role, always discuss the individual risks and talk to your volunteer manager about the measures that have been put in place to keep volunteers safe.

Please remember:

• Only volunteer if you feel well enough, and are not self-isolating • Always follow government social distancing guidelines • Do not place yourself in positions where you may feel unsafe • Always adhere to the latest government advice on guidance on volunteering and helping others safely during the pandemic, which are aimed at potential and existing volunteers.

The British Red Cross have prepared a short training session and quiz to help you volunteer safely.

If you are currently providing transport to others, you may find this article of interest from The Guardian which offers some practical tips about how to make car travel more COVID safe when there is more than one person in the car click here to view.

This newsletter was produced on 11/02/2021 and follows government recommendations correct at this time.

Please keep checking the GOV website for official advice and the latest information on staying alert and safe.

Additional information

Central Bedfordshire Council Coronavirus Update The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against coronavirus. The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few weeks for your body to build up protection from the vaccine. The vaccine has been shown to be effective and no safety concerns were seen in studies of more than 20,000 people. The vaccine will be provided free to all UK residents. You will not be charged and can only get it through the NHS. Please do not agree to any vaccination where you will be charged. These are not genuine vaccinations and could cause harm. The NHS will never ask for your bank details, or just turn up on your doorstep offering the vaccine. These are fraudulent activities. People aged 70 and over or individuals who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID and who would like to, are being asked to book their appointments now. Until now the NHS has asked people to wait until they are contacted to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first. Over 12 million people in the UK have now been vaccinated. Now everyone who are aged 70 and over, or clinically extremely vulnerable no longer need to wait to be invited to make an appointment but are being encouraged to book their vaccination as soon as possible. The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Vaccinations centres in Central Bedfordshire are in the following sites:

• Rufus Centre - Steppingly Road, Flitwick - MK45 1AH • Weatherly Centre - Eagle Farm Road, - SG18 8JH • Priory House - Monks Walk, Shefford - SG17 5TQ There are also centres in and Luton that can be booked if these are closer to you. Please note, when you try to book an appointment, only those centres with available appointments will show. If a centre is fully booked it will not show. If you want to wait to book a centre closer, you can do this, but you will need to keep checking online to see if appointments are available. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. If a suitable and convenient slot is not available people can also call their GP practice.

COVID-19 health advice

Coronavirus update on travel to vaccination centres The Coronavirus vaccination programme has begun to roll out in Central Bedfordshire. Following Government guidelines those over 80s will be vaccinated first followed by other groups such as front-line key workers and carers. To get to the vaccination centres, local transport businesses and volunteers have offered to take those who have no access to a transport or a network to help them to the centres. Dial-a-ride

Dial-a-ride operators have confirmed they will offer free transport to the local vaccination centres in their areas (but not to Stevenage as this would take their vehicles out of circulation for too long). To book a Dial-a-ride for a vaccination appointment, please follow the instructions on our website. Please note, the number of vehicles available are limited, so booking for transport will be based on a first come first served basis and at the discretion of the operators. Dial-a-rides don’t operate at weekends. Journey Planning

Journey planning website for anyone wishing to travel to a vaccination appointment by public transport. - the journey planner is up to date with changes to routes and timetables. Where possible, local public bus services that pass vaccination centres will be diverted to either enter the site or stop very close by where this facility does not currently exist. Volunteering groups

We have a network of volunteer-led groups and local Good Neighbour Schemes with volunteer drivers who can assist vulnerable residents to attend their vaccination appointment if they don’t drive, or have family close-by, or a support bubble that can’t help them or they cannot afford a taxi. Find out more about good neighbour schemes in Bedfordshire. Mutual Aid groups can also help but please note that the types of support available from each group may be slightly different. Visit the CVS website to find a list of groups in your area. Good Neighbour Groups and Mutual Aid groups can also assist vulnerable residents with shopping, collecting medication and checking you are ok. Uber

Uber has pledged to offer free taxi rides to or from all Covid vaccine hubs. The firm will cover up to £15 of passengers' trips to help the most vulnerable receive their covid jabs. Those wishing to use an Uber taxi will need to enter the correct promotion code for the mass-vaccination hub they are travelling to in the app, ahead of booking their journey. Trips must start or end at one of the seven vaccine centres, the nearest mass vaccination centre to Central Bedfordshire is Stevenage. Passengers heading to get their jab will be able to claim their free trip until February 28, 2021. Subject to availability. If you don’t currently have an Uber account, you can sign up to Uber here More info uber.com/ukvaccines on how to claim one of the free tips Local taxi operators are also available. See local directories for contact details and call taxi operator for prices. Guidance when sharing a car

Car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason. An exempt reason includes getting to medical appointments and also getting your vaccination. It is difficult to socially distance during car journeys. Where it is essential to car share, you can reduce the risk of transmission by:

• sharing the transport with the same people each time • minimising the group size at any one time • opening windows for ventilation • travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow • facing away from each other • considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle • cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch • asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering Do not waste your journey - please remember to take your booking number with you when attending a vaccination appointment. Those who arrive at the centres without their booking number will be turned away. Central Bedfordshire Council - Scam warning As the vaccination programme is being rolled out across the country, criminals are using this as a way to create new scams. We have been made aware scammers are sending fake texts messages claiming to be from the NHS offering the Covid-19 vaccine. The link that accompanies the fake text message takes you to a fake NHS website which requests personal and financial details. Please do NOT click the link if you receive a fake text message and please note that the NHS will NEVER ask you for personal information, or for your financial details for the vaccination. The vaccine is only available from the NHS and your GP will contact you when it is your turn. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 7726 (which spells “SPAM” on the keypad). This free-of-charge short code enables your service provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.

Samaritans Bedford Launch of new online Safer Internet Resource Samaritans have launched some new online safety resources for young people to give them the tools to stay safe online when talking about self-harm and suicide. These resources have been co-designed by young people with experience of self-harm and suicidal feelings, and experience of supporting others at risk. The link to the resources is: www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/internet-suicide/online-safety-resources/

The online tools cover practical guidance on how to support someone online, how to flag content that causes concern and they offer guidance on finding supportive communities to share personal experiences safely.

They also encourage supportive content and positive stories about people overcoming a crisis. Focusing on how someone has recovered can encourage vulnerable people to seek help and is associated with fewer suicides.

The four resources are available on the Samaritans website and include:

• Tips on posting about suicide online safely. Tips on how to talk about suicide online in a safe way. • Reporting worrying content online. A guide on what to do if you see something online about self- harm or suicide that could be upsetting or harmful. • Safe ways to share your personal experiences. A guide on sharing your personal experiences of self- harm and suicide online in a safe way and tips on finding safe and supportive online communities. • Supporting someone online. A guide on supporting someone online who is posting things that worry you.

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AbilityNet – Free Technology Support for Older & Disabled People

AbilityNet's ITCanHelp volunteers provide free IT support to older people and people with disabilities of any age. Our volunteers also provided specialist advice on adapting technology for those living with vision, hearing, cognitive or motor impairments whether you are disabled or living with a long-term condition. Our volunteers can support people located anywhere in the UK. They are all disclosure- checked and can help with all sorts of IT (information technology) challenges, from setting up new equipment, fixing technical issues, showing you how to stay connected to family and use online services.

Whilst our home visit service is currently suspended, the good news is that our volunteers already provide our services remotely, whether that is by telephone or through a trustworthy remote access service called TeamViewer. They can also use other free remote tools such as WhatsApp video call, Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger and so on.

You can request our support by:

• Completing our on-line Request our help form • Calling our helpline on 0800 048 7642 (freephone and minicom) during UK office hours • Sending an email to [email protected]

Community Action Bedfordshire - Job Vacancy

Bank Staff Opportunities at Cafe in the Park, .

Café in the Park are looking for people to join their team of Bank Staff. If you are adaptable, flexible, community focused and have excellent customer skills, they would love to hear from you.

Please forward your CV, including details of two referees to [email protected]

This email has been sent Community Action Bedfordshire. You are receiving this email because you registered your interest in volunteering via the CBC website or opted-in to be part of the “Volunteer Bank” when you registered on Volunteer Connect – you can opt-out at any time by un-ticking the box on your profile. Alternatively, please reply with ‘Unsubscribe’ in the subject line. Community Action Bedfordshire - www.cabeds.org.uk/coronavirus - [email protected] Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @CABedfordshire