An Extraordinary Year for Volunteering

IYV2001Issue 3

An extraordinary year for volunteering Christopher Spence, chair of IYV2001 England national committee and Chief Executive of the National Centre for Volunteering, highlights the achievements of the United Nations International Year of Volunteers and looks forward to the work of volunteers being more widely recognised and supported in the future.

Welcome to this last IYV2001 newsletter. As you will importantly we have put in place various initiatives see it highlights just some of our achievements in what ie the Image Bank, the retired journalists’ network has been an extraordinary year for volunteering, both in and the BBC Skills England and internationally. As chair of IYVEC, the Exchange which will help I am struck too by the consortium of organisations funded by the government’s organisations keep the extent to which the Year Active Community profile of volunteering has seen the spawning of Unit to lead the high in the future. an exciting new level of Year in England, Parliament has played collaboration between I must begin by its part in mounting a organisations and across thanking every one series of Parliamentary sectors, something many for all the time, Hearings, including the people are saying must energy and special Young People’s continue in the future commitment you Hearing, and there is have given to commitment to this dialogue continuing in the future. making such a As well as the official IYV2001 programme we have success of the Year. seen the Year’s logo and ribbon – miles and miles of it – branding volunteering activity up and down the country. I Our partner am struck too by the extent to which the Year has seen organisations, the the spawning of an exciting new level of collaboration NAVB, the WRVS, between organisations and across sectors, something Changemakers many people are saying must continue in the future. Christopher Spence and the Community Development As IYV2001 is wound up, we have been preoccupied with Foundation, together with the chairs of all the sub- evaluating the Year and with ensuring that responsibility groups, have supported the National Centre for for a range of its initiatives is safely placed with Volunteering’s IYV2001 team – so ably led by Ruth organisations that will take them forward. As with other Johnson – to deliver a packed programme of projects successful UN International Years, my hope is that the aimed at leaving a lasting legacy. We are conscious momentum of IYV2001 will be sustained in the years that much of the momentum of the Year has come ahead. At the National from volunteers who have given their time on top of Centre for Volunteering As with other successful professional responsibilities. We are also very grateful we are committed to UN International Years, for the support we have received from the government, working with our many my hope is that the funding bodies, sponsors and professional advisers. IYV2001 networks, momentum of IYV2001 making the contribution will be sustained in the The UN’s main objectives for the Year were increased of volunteers in England years ahead recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of both visible and audible, volunteering. We can be proud of what we have achieved ensuring that their work gets proper investment and in England. Our media files attest to the fact that the support, and overcoming obstacles to the widest diversity Year has raised the profile of volunteering but more of participation in volunteering. The National Reflections of IYV2001 IYV2001 Volunteering Convention Martin Farrell in numbers chair of IYV2001 Speak Up Speak Out sub group One of the highlights of IYV2001 and the UN tag raised the profile of volunteering and gave IYV2001 was the third National “ it an international flavour. There was a difference between the dream Volunteering Convention, which Pat Levison of what could happen and the reality on the ground of 30,000 toolkits was held in October 2001 at making it happen, but we have used the year to put co-chair of the IYV2001 distributed telling people how to get involved the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. health and social care the foundations into place. I have learned the value of Speakers included Home Office keeping a steady hand on the tiller in times of rough sub group minister Angela Eagle, who seas or misty waters. We were going into unchartered I think IYV2001 helped launched the new volunteering territory, but we held onto our vision. I think that as a “ enormously in raising code of practice, which is result of Speak Up Speak Out, the message is going awareness of volunteering in part of the government’s out that people who think they can’t communicate can 36,000 newsletters the health and social care Compact with the voluntary improve, and it is very empowering. distributed sectors. It was a challenge to ” sector. The chief executive incorporate my involvement of United Nations Volunteers, with my job and the lack of Sharon Capeling-Alakija, spoke funding held us back. But I Ruth Johnson about global volunteering, have learned a lot about the IYV2001 Co-ordinator in England 3,132 IYV2001 logos and volunteer magistrate diversity of volunteering Back in December 1999 over 200 downloaded from the UK website, John Shone took to the podium outside the health service and “ organisations to describe his experiences Michael Norton and more from the UN’s website our volunteers have been attended a and discuss the importance chair of the IYV2001 pleased to receive a national consultation of volunteering to the local acknowledgement. Everybody meeting to youth sub group community. likes to be thanked and made explore what A good range of youth 30,120 website visitors The National Centre for to feel what they are doing is they wanted “ volunteering and citizenship during 2001 Volunteering worked with worthwhile. from IYV2001. groups came together as a the National Association of ” All identified one result of IYV2001 to think Volunteer Bureaux and the key principle: that we should creatively, and we came up 50,000 greetings cards UN to organise the convention. focus on delivering longer-term with a lot of ideas. We were sent to volunteers More than 600 delegates legacies rather than “quick-hit” disappointed not to have attended 100 workshops promotional activities. We didn’t enough funding to develop over the three days. aim to generate reams of press many of these ideas, although coverage instead we wanted almost everything that we have to work in partnership to help done will be taken forward build the skills and resources of into the future. The Fun Lovin’ volunteer-involving organisations Activists conference will be in 2002 and beyond. held every two 43,000 volunteer ribbons ” years, and an worn by volunteers international Janet Atfield summer school chair of the IYV 2001 older people sub group at Atlantic The evaluation of the convention College in Wales 896 local press articles Our team of 25 volunteers enthusiastically drove the work of shows that 97 per cent of the could become an “ the sub group to deliver an ambitious programme. We were delegates would be interested annual event. enormously lucky to benefit from funding and in-kind help from ” in attending future events. Help the Aged and Age Concern England. We have developed a 16 national press articles The next convention will be number of valuable partnerships both including a dedicated 8-page in 2003. For more information, formal and informal between people supplement in The Independent contact Fiona Shadbolt at and organisations that work with older the National Centre for volunteers – working together is very Volunteering on 020 7520 8900. important. I have learned that it is 28 trade press articles possible that the skills and experiences of older people can change things and make things happen. 49 radio interviews 2 ” 3 RSA Young Changing places Moving up the Leaders Awards During the next three years’ 100 The European Older Volunteers Exchange took young people aged between 18 government agenda and 25 years old will have been place between 21 September and 7 October last awarded fellowships of the RSA year when 22 English volunteers were catapulted The All Party Group on Charities and the Voluntary Sector hosted a series of six (the Royal Society of Arts Parliamentary Hearings focusing on volunteering early last year. Manufactures and Commerce), Baroness Sally Greengross into a variety of European countries and 18 of their whose membership includes chief with ‘local heroes’ Stanley and Alun Michael MP chaired the hearings, which were held in the presence of a cross- executives from the top UK Doreen Shiel European counterparts visited England. party group of MPs and peers. “We wanted to listen to and learn from people in the companies, leading artists, cutting world of volunteering, to explore our role as parliamentarians, and then come to edge journalists and voluntary In addition to the European National co-ordinator Bridget Cass says it was hard work to arrange, but enormously discussion with ministers at a later stage,” he says. sector leaders. It is hoped that the exchange, the older people’s successful. “It was Europe at its best,” says Bridget. “There is now a network of Held in conjunction with the United Kingdom new fellows will help encourage sub group organised a variety people across Europe who all realise that we have a common goal in improving the Volunteering Forum, topics under discussion included other young people to get involved of other schemes under the lives of others.” why volunteering matters in the 21st century, creating in the RSA’s work and act as role leadership of a team of 25 The volunteers from England visited projects in seven different countries, including a vibrant image for volunteering and the role and models for other young volunteers. older volunteers. those for refugees in Greece, severely disabled children in Germany and homeless responsibility of government. Several young ambassadors have The ‘local heroes’ parliamentary people in France. Bridget says that the exchange gave the European visitors the The group concluded that Parliament should establish been appointed to drum up reception in July 2000, hosted opportunity to see the a formal mechanism for continued engagement applications over the past six by Alun Michael MP and held strength of volunteering with volunteering issues, such as a joint committee months. One of these is 24-year- at Portcullis House. Around in this country and Alun Michael MP of both Houses. old Katherine Blaker, vice 50 MPs attended, each allowed the English president of Student Community accompanied by an older volunteers to reflect on Action at Hull University. She says: volunteer from his or her their work from a Young people speak – MPs listen “The RSA seems to be a bit of an constituency. different perspective. “The future is not what older people think, but what younger people do,” Adam Short, old boys’ network. They need A conference was held in The fortnight’s exchange national youth advocate for Changemakers, told MPs at the House of Commons on fresh blood and to get in touch Liverpool to discuss older has had lasting effects. 29 November. with the needs and ambitions of people’s volunteering. The 130 Members of the Suffolk young people. I think these young A Youth Parliamentary Hearing was organised as part of IYV2001 and a panel of nine attendees, agreed a statement Library Service are people will challenge the RSA to young people made presentations to MPs in the Jubilee Room of the Commons. of what older volunteers want. planning to visit Austria think about what is going on in Angela Eagle, the Home Office minister with responsibility for the voluntary sector, Among the eight points, the to help set up a home the country.” attended, and Phil Hope MP chaired the meeting. Around 35 young people aged statement asks for the abolition visiting service, and it between 16 and 25 were also there from a variety of youth organisations including the Nominations for the first round of age limits which have no is hoped that another Carnegie Young People’s Initiative, Somerset Youth Volunteering Network and of entries closed at the end of bearing on volunteers’ ability and exchange will take The volunteers from Europe took new ideas home with them Youthbank. The discussion focused on the opportunities for young people to take part 2001. The judges are looking for welcomes government measures place in 2003. in government decision-making, perceptions of volunteering and whether young people young people who have made to expand volunteering among should participate in decisions about grants for youth projects. innovative contributions to their older people. June Hargreaves from the British Red Cross Society in Manchester community and who plan to do Since the hearing, a committee of young people is putting together a proposal for the The sub group are also working went to stay in Athens. She worked with the Hellenic Red Cross in more in the future. The first government, which will be presented to Angela Eagle in March. with CSV to set up a Retired a nursing home and then at a Médecins Sans Frontièrs pharmacy round of award winners will be Jornalist Network in order checking donations of medicines for refugees. announced in March and they will to harness the Phil Hope MP, chair of the All Party Group on Charities and the Voluntary Sector, says: also receive a bursary and the skills and talents of She says: “I thoroughly enjoyed my work in the pharmacy and wished I could “I thought the Hearing was a good opportunity to hear directly from young people about opportunity to be mentored by a retired journalists. have stayed longer. Whenever the staff had any free time they would come their experiences, the successes they were having and the implications for government prominent individual. More information and have a chat with me, wanting information on our National Health Service, policy. There were some quite moving, stimulating presentations about their work. To nominate about the activities the refugee situation, even football and the Royal Family. I learned a lot “I genuinely think the minister was impressed and was taking on board the messages young people for of the older people’s about the Greek way of life and its many cultures. that the young people were putting across. I hope we can see some real benefits from future rounds sub group can be “Since returning to England I have felt very unsettled. I think the devotion, the Hearing. contact Jeremy found in their final patience and dedication of the staff at the pharmacy has rubbed off on me, Quinn at the newsletter. For copies “I think it was an important contribution to bringing politics into young people’s lives as and I feel I need a change of direction. I have made arrangements to do National Centre of the newsletter something that they can understand and engage with. some work for the Message and Tracing Service run by the Red Cross. I for Volunteering contact Jeremy Quinn feel that this will be very rewarding and fulfilling.” “The challenge now is to make sure we use the achievements of IYV2001 as a on 020 7520 on 020 7520 8900. springboard and carry the momentum further on into the millennium.” 8900.

4 5 The team of Image Bank photographers travelled across the country in search of unique images of volunteering. They saw first aiders in action at a football march, followed students on a soup run in London, and waded Images of in mud to record the work of environmental volunteers cleaning the Thames beach.

One of the photographers, Chalky Whyte, says volunteering the project gave him the opportunity to carry out reportage photography, a great love of his. A £50,000 grant from the Home Office has enabled a team of photographers to compile A former photographer with Lord Lichfield’s hundreds of images that reflect the diversity of volunteering across the country. studio, he now specialises in lifestyle and interior photography for the leisure sector. The photographs are stored in an online, user friendly Image Bank and charities can The Image Bank project drew him away from download these high quality images for a small fee to promote their own volunteering this glamorous life and plunged him into activities. Battersea Dogs’ Home and Holloway Prison.

One of the organisations that had photographs taken of its volunteers was HIV/Aids Image Bank photos have been used to centre Lighthouse West London. Stuart Allen, community support manager, says: produce colourful posters that can be used “A few years ago, my phone never stopped ringing with people wanting to volunteer. to promote your own volunteering initiatives. Now it’s harder to find people. That’s why we were so pleased to take part in the Available in either A3 or A4 size, the posters Image Bank project to promote volunteering.” include space for your details. Contact Anna The huge spectrum of activities that volunteers perform is reflected – such as working Mentzel on 020 7520 8936. in an office or helping look after disabled people, or sitting on a school committee long after everyone has gone home.

As the infrastructure for this unique resource is now in place, more photographs will be added over the coming years.

See www.volunteering.org.uk/imagebank NCV Image Bank/Joseph Duggan

NCV Image Bank/Chalky Whyte

“I have been very impressed with people I have met. I have enormous respect for people who do voluntary work, and it has increased since seeing it first hand. The volunteers are able to maintain a very positive attitude to life and transmit it to those who really need that.” Chalky Whyte, Image Bank photographer

6 NCV Image Bank/Anne Misselwitz 7 The BBC shares its talents The power As part of its commitment to supporting community organisations, the BBC of persuasion launched a pilot skills exchange The best way to recruit volunteers is by asking them directly to get involved. This is initiative during IYV2001. the inspiration behind Speak Up Speak Out, a project to develop the communication To date, four BBC staff have skills of volunteers and volunteer managers through training so they become Asher Craig from CEMVO with taken a fortnight out of their usual confident ambassadors for volunteering. Sean Risdale of the National Centre jobs to work with charities. for Volunteering at the Birmingham Sue Warner, a charity consultant, thought up the idea three years ago after receiving lecture in November Faye Ruck-Nightingale, partnership training from Toastmasters International, a network of clubs that help people to manager for the BBC SkillXchange develop their communication skills. Her project really A series of regional lectures, team, says that the staff benefited took off when it became part of IYV2001. organised by IYV2001 and the from interacting with different As Martin Farrell, chair of the Speak Up Speak Out RSA, are tackling the issues of people in new environments. sub group, says: “We want all volunteers to feel recruiting volunteers from more confident enough to talk about their volunteering. diverse backgrounds and the Christina Nsamba from the BBC If spoken about it would inspire other people to value of volunteering in building spent a fortnight with East Sussex get involved.” communities.

Disability Association developing NCV Image Bank/Chalky Whyte a training event on disability Employee volunteers help clean up Thames beach To date, around 2,000 people have had contact Supported by Whitbread, two equality for people who work in with the scheme through attending one-off sessions, lectures were held in Birmingham the media. Deputy chief executive one of the three Speak Up Speak Out clubs or and Bristol. Speakers from Nick Tapp says: training courses. the Council of Ethnic Minority Helping the Voluntary Organisations “It was great to have a fresh In the future Speak Up Speak Out will build on the highlighted why voluntary approach. Christina is a very NCV Image Bank/Chalky Whyte foundations that were laid down during IYV2001 and orgainsations should ensure passionate person who really continue to run training courses for volunteers and volunteer managers. A full time their volunteers reflect the worked hard to cover every angle corporates to care secondee from the Home Office is working on the project at the National Centre for diversity of the communities in in the short time she was with us.” Volunteering for the next two years. For information about courses contact Phil which they operate. Employee volunteering has been the fastest Thomas on 020 7520 8900. There are bursaries available for small organisations. Christina Nsamba says: For more information on “This placement has made me growing method used by companies to become diversity in volunteering see more aware of disability issues in www.diversitychallenge.org new media and made me want more involved in their communities over recent YMCA volunteer Daniel Allum took part to actively support when I can. years. As social responsibility has become one of in a Speak Up Speak Out workshop It made me question and not take for granted the resources that I the most popular phrases in the corporate sector, “The workshop was pretty terrifying. You start off by speaking for 30 seconds RSA have available to me at the BBC. the movement looks set to grow. about your favourite topic in front of 15 strangers. Then later you start speaking Despite the limitations on resources for longer amounts of time. The group comes together to help each other using and funds, the work ESDA do is A company can improve its image by encouraging its employees to volunteer, and the feedback sessions. remarkable. I found the people experience enhances the skills of the participants. At the same time, charities benefit that I worked with extremely “I had practically no education as I am a Romany who spent much of my London’s LBC radio station from gaining a fresh perspective from volunteers with business skills. supportive and felt they valued childhood travelling in a caravan. I practically taught myself to read and write. became a partner in IYV2001 the work that I did for them.” During IYV2001, a 94-page book was produced to help employee volunteering to Coming from a minority group is like being part of a world within a world, and and broadcast a series of reach every corner of England and every level of an organisation. It is a practical when you step outside that it is frightening. Now I am writing plays and teaching interviews with local volunteers. guide to aid private, public and voluntary sector employers in drama, and Speak Up Speak Out was part of me overcoming my lack of Organisations that are interested In total, 38 five-minute managing a volunteering programme. There is a description of education and turning things around. in applying for someone from interviews were carried out many different types of volunteering that employees can do, the BBC Skills Exchange can “The next thing for me was speaking at the National Volunteering Convention with participants in IYV2001. such as mentoring, becoming trustees and challenge events. download an application form in front of hundreds of people. I enjoyed it and I think it went down very well. Organisations represented There are also hints to help organisations that receive from www.volunteering.org.uk or Speak Up Speak Out is a great way to find out about what you feel passionate ranged from large charities to volunteers to choose the right partners and activities. contact Jeremy Quinn at the about and once you find out you have got interesting views and how to put them smaller community groups. National Centre for Volunteering Employee Volunteering: The Guide is available for £15 from across, you can move on from there.” on 020 7520 8900. the National Centre for Volunteering on 020 7520 8936 or www.volunteering.org.uk/publications.htm

8 9 Wear your ribbon We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has given their with pride Meeting and time, talents and commitment to IYV2001. A great many amazing people have helped make the year a success. The orange and blue volunteer ribbons, which were introduced as part of IYV2001, have become greeting a great way to recognise and celebrate volunteers. Around Health care volunteer managers often feel isolated in BP 43,000 volunteers have worn the ribbon throughout the year their work, but a government grant and work started in England – even HRH Princess during IYV2001 are helping to combat this Royal has sported one in NCV ImageBank/ChalkyWhyte recognition of her work as Department patron of Crimestoppers. of Health Volunteers in Australia and the USA are also wearing them.

And we haven’t seen the end Joseph Rank London Liverpool of the ribbons. They are set to Jessops become a feature of Volunteers Trust Electricity County Council Week, which is held every year in June, and they will be relaunched on every annual International Volunteers Day on 5 December.

You can buy them from www.volunteersweek.org.uk for £5 for 20 ribbons. Or contact Karolyn Andrews at the National Volunteer managers are now benefiting from new networks Sellwyn Lloyd Task Force Centre for Volunteering on THE RANK FOUNDATION RSA Charitable Trust Trust 020 7520 8932. Volunteer managers in health and social care organisations often feel isolated in their roles with little peer support or the opportunity to meet colleagues carrying out similar work.

During IYV2001, the Department of Health gave a £30,000 grant to help provide networking opportunities for people in these positions. Some of the funding was used to provide 20 places at the National Volunteering Convention, worth £450 each. Many of the attendees participated in the health and social care learning group, which helped them to find the information they needed at the conference and meet their peers. Thank you to all these people, and others too numerous to mention. Pat Levison, co-chair of the health and social care sub committee, attended the convention. She says: “The information I got and the people I met were really useful, Abdi Ahmed Abigail Page Adam Short Adrian Barrett Aileen Bennett Alan Ordish Alan Siao Ming Witherwick Alison McGovern Althea Wolfe as was the opportunity that it gave me to exchange ideas. I learned a lot.” Amanda Bowman Amar Abass Andrew Purkis Andy Sawford Angela Vivian Annabelle Dalby Anne Jones Anne Jacques Anne Unwin Anne Ivis-Shaw Anne Misselwitz April Bird Arthur Moore Ash Rahman Asher Craig Asifa Patel Barbara Smith Bharat Mehta Bibi Small Bill Freeman Bill Jackson Dedicated supplements for health and social care Brian Richards Brian Hutchinson Bridget Cass Chalky Whyte Chris Strorey Christina Nsamba Christine Stanley Christine De Cruz Clare Gardner volunteer managers are being placed in Volunteering Clare Shinner Cllr Arun Ghosh Colin Cardwell Colin Moore Colin Startup Daniel Lindley Dave Cooke Dave Hirst David Lloyd David Thompson David Cutler magazine during January, February and March this year. David Robinson David Hammond David Davies David Strickland David Ford David Thompson David Wilkinson Debra Cook Debs Clark Dee Martin Delci Martinez-Acosta Dennis Goodwin Djan Hamit Dorothy Harvey Dr James Clark Eileen Wimbury Elfiede Pirker Ellen Sanders Emma Price-Thomas Called Vitamin V, the supplement contains news, Enid Irving Faye Ruck-Nightingale Fiona Dawe Gayle Lacey Georgia Stabb Gill Ornstein Gillian Dyer Grace Ochapa Greville Bickerton Harry Marsh The Lord Mayor and volunteers sign features and case studies of successful projects. Hazel Stephens Helen Keyes- Evans Helen Richardson Hilary Hares Humera Khan James Edleston Jane Forster Jane Gorham Janet Atfield Jean Meredith Coventry CVS’s giant orange and Jenny Rooke Jill Flannigan Joan Lewis Joan Billington Joe Dilger John Stockdale John Ramsay John Canavan Jon Kudlick Jon Fox An online community has also been set up to help blue ribbon to mark IYV2001 Joseph Duggan June Hargreaves Karen Loynd Katherine Blaker Katie Wyndham Keith Jackson Kevin Munday Krishna Sarda Lannah Carbonilla Laura Anderson volunteer managers in health and social care to share Lauren Foster Lene Holling Lewis Turek Louise King Marcello Bonfanti Margaret Quass Mark Waters Mark Hodge Martin Farrell Mary Steensma information and knowledge. Established in October last Mary Nisbett Maureen Pierce Meg Odling-Smee Michael Wulff Micheal Norton Michelle Goodwin Mike Silverman Muhammad Ali Muriel Woodman Neil Riley year, to date, around 30 organisations are using it to Nick Styles Olga Apostalova Pat Knock Pat Hill Pat Levison Patricia Mason Patricia Mortlock Patrick Vernon Penny Wrout Peter Burgess Peter Bull discuss all sorts of issues such as developing volunteer Peter Bancroft Phil Hope MP Raina Gee Renata Neilson Richard Angell Rob Jackson Roni Douglas Rosalind Mansfield Rosemary Jones Roy Bray policies and training. It’s simple to join – just send an email Rt Hon Alun Michael MP Santiago Arribas Pena Sapna Desai Sara Bryson Scott Mcmillan Shanel Johnson Sheila Gold Sue Warner Sue Wilding Susan Dennell Susan Skinner Suzanne Long Suzanne Rauprich Thomas Conway Tim Leech Tim Shand Tom Ely Victoria Brown Victoria Deakin Wally Harbert to [email protected] 10 11 To celebrate IYV2001, six extra award categories were added to the annual Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards. The work of these volunteers was celebrated at a ceremony in London in December

Sports volunteers of the year (joint winners) Volunteer of the year Frank Harrington and Katrina Venner in a health and social care setting Crime, vandalism and John Nicholson drug abuse by young people in London’s Maida Retired social worker, Vale and Paddington have John Nicholson, has been reduced, thanks to Frank dubbed the Pied Piper by his colleagues at Trailblazers, Harrington’s efforts at the a mentoring and life skills programme for prisoners at WEST Sport Project. Feltham Young Offenders Institution. By offering support A Millennium Volunteer, 17-year-old Frank is the main and friendship to young people, 61-year-old Nicholson has co-ordinator of this football project. He also sits on a improved their self-esteem and helped them to find jobs committee that helps evaluate and award small grants to and homes when they are released. local projects.

Katrina Venner’s gymnastics club has provided invaluable Environmental/conservation volunteer support to children of families affected by foot and mouth of the year disease and BSE, which have hit the area hard. The 23- Jenny Waldron year-old teacher is a coach, fundraiser and administrator to the North Devon Display Gymnastics Hundreds of children and members of community Club, which sees 100 children every groups have learned about marine conservation from week. Local crime rates have ‘environmental superstar’ Jenny reduced, and Katrina’s enthusiasm Waldron’s fun educational talks. and dedication have helped her to A volunteer for Earthkind in Dorset, become an important role model for Jenny, 39, has studied hard to learn many young people in the area. the key environmental issues and also volunteered for WWF-UK for six years.

Employee volunteers of the year Community or campaigning volunteer (joint winners) of the year Anupam Ganguli and Elaine Carey Mohammed Amran

Anupam Ganguli is a 34-year-old After last summer’s Bradford finance manager at KPMG. riots, Mohammed Amran set Volunteering through Arts & up ‘bridge building’ meetings Business, he has shared his skills between all of the city’s with eight charities, introducing communities. The 25-year- commercial best practice and old part time Commissioner training staff in finance and general management. Currently for Racial Equality has been he is helping the British-Asian theatre company, Tamasha, volunteering in his community since 1995. He has also devise a three-year business plan and he is a voluntary organised community clean-ups and assertiveness member of the audit committee for London Arts. employment training for young people in the area.

Newcastle’s crime rate has dropped by half, partly Volunteer manager of the year because of Elaine Carey’s Carola Vorlop voluntary work with Northumbria Coalition Against As Bristol Zoo’s volunteer manager, Carola Vorlop includes Crime. The 45-year-old Marks her volunteers in the decision-making processes at the zoo and Spencer employee has and uses innovative training methods to keep their skills worked on Magistrates Retail Awareness Sessions, youth up to date. Her volunteers offender workshops and the North East Retail Crime include people with learning Partnership and by doing so has helped to forge a new disabilities, homeless people sense of community spirit. and students.