VOLUNTEER CENTRE NEWCASTLE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2020
We hope you find something that interests you – if not check out our complete list of roles online roles https://www.volunteercentrenewcastle.org.uk/volunteer/opportunityhome.php
Happy Reading
Karen
Karen
WHITEHILLS COMMUNITY CENTRE Park run marshals
Whitehills Community Centre was built by the Warriors Community Project who are responsible for the growth and development of this newly formed community centre in Whitehills, Windy Book and High Heworth.
The centre hosts a vibrant Parent Toddler group, ladies fellowship, men’s group, ukulele group, lunching club, disco and street dancing groups, slimming world, ladies fitness along with various exercise classes and clubs but also welcomes more involvement from residents and the local community.
The centre also provide a running group within the Windy Nook Nature Reserve Park and host a park run around the scenic location every Saturday morning.
The group are looking for volunteers marshals to help assist and deliver the park run. These volunteers will be required to guide runners along the track and to where the start and finish points are etc. Volunteer marshals will be provided with all information and necessary equipment to deliver this role.
If you are interested in this volunteer role please email volunteering@gateshead.gov.uk
Get ready to GLOW! Volunteer for a world without dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society’s brand new event, GLOW Tyneside, will be shining a light on dementia, with an evening walk starting at finishing at Baltic Square on Saturday 14th March.
We are looking for around 70 volunteers in Tyneside to help make GLOW a success. Without the help of amazing people like you, we couldn’t hold our GLOW walks at all.
There is something for everyone, with roles based in the event site and along the route. Be part of an unforgettable event experience as you cheer at a marshal point, sell some goodies or congratulate walkers with their finish line medal. You will have the opportunity to pair up with a friend or another volunteer and will receive a full briefing pre-event and on the day.
Did you know dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, yet research still trails far behind other health conditions? By volunteering at GLOW, your time spent helping at the event will create lasting change for people affected by dementia.
We really appreciate a few hours of your time to help make the evening a success. Go to memorywalk.org.uk/volunteering to sign up or find out more!
Resolution Run in Newcastle coming up in February (Sunday 23 February, to be exact) and we are looking for some amazing volunteers to help make the day a great success!
I will have some posters, postcards and banners in the New Year, so if I could come and put some of those up/drop them off at the centre that would be brilliant ☺
In the meantime, here are the links to sign up: https://www.stroke.org.uk/webform/volunteer-resolution-run https://www.resolutionrun.org.uk/newcastle/
Volunteers can be under 18, but they will need to be supervised by a staff member or another volunteer. Volunteers under 16 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In both cases we will ask parents/legal guardians to sign a consent form.
We want volunteers on site from 9am until around 3pm.
If people don’t want to sign up online then they can contact me via email ([email protected]) or call me on 0191 731 6773
ONGOING OPPORTUNTIES FOLLOW
EXHIBITION AND BRANDLING PARK
Volunteer opportunity:
“The most useful asset of a person is not always a head full of knowledge, often it is a heart full of love, with ears open to listen and hands willing to help.”
You don’t need to be skilled wildlife conservationists, zoologists, biologists or veterinary technicians, you simply need to love our wildlife and a wiliness to help.
If this sounds like YOU and you want to volunteer to make nesting sites for our Swans, Coots, Moorhens and Ducks please email: [email protected]
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE NORTH EAST WITH RE-ENGAGE
Re-engage has over 900 volunteer-led groups across the UK. Our aim is to reduce loneliness and isolation amongst the oldest members of our community (age 75+) . We do this by organising monthly, volunteer-led tea parties. One Sunday afternoon a month, throughout the UK, Re-engage groups meet for tea and companionship. These groups are a lifeline of friendship for isolated older people. Our older guests usually:
• live alone • are generally well into the 80s and 90s • are unable to get out without a little assistance • are without friends or relatives nearby • feel very lonely and live isolated lives
Each older guest is assigned a volunteer driver and together they become part of a small group invited to a volunteer hosts’ home for tea. They visit a different host each month but the group remains the same and relationships grow. A warm welcome; a family home; meeting old friends and new, provides older members with companionship and a vital link with the community from which they have become isolated. This simple idea is the essence of Re-engage.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS The volunteer drivers will use their own car to pick up and accompany one or two older people just one Sunday afternoon each month. They collect the same older guest from their home, driving them to the host’s home to spend a couple of hours together over tea before returning home. Drivers are not required to do any lifting only assisting with a steadying arm. Volunteer as a regular driver (one Sunday a month) or as a reserve driver (as and when needed, e.g. if a regular driver is ill)
TEA PARTY HOSTS.
The role of a host is to provide a warm welcome, a friendly atmosphere and a simple afternoon tea with sandwiches and a few cakes for the older guests and the volunteers (once or twice a year). Hosts need a downstairs toilet, no more than three steps and seating for six or more older people (many hosts use a mix of hard and soft chairs). Over time, this group of volunteers and older guests get to know each other well and together they spend many Sunday afternoons full of fun and laughter, sharing stories over cake and cups of tea.
VOLUNTEER GROUP COORDINATOR The coordinator arranges the monthly outings, arranges the annual host schedule and is the main contact for the group’s volunteer drivers and hosts. The coordinator welcomes and ID checks new volunteers into the group and meets and assesses new older guests prior to them joining the group. You will be supported by your Regional Development Officer/National Volunteer Support Officer, who in turn liaises with the Re-engage National Office. Being a group coordinator for Re-engage is a fulfilling and enjoyable role. Just a few hours a month from you can make all the difference of the lives to lonely older people. COORDINATORS CURRENTLY NEEDED IN TYNEMOUTH, NORTH TYNESIDE, WEST TYNEDALE.
"I don't think people realise how lonely and isolated these elderly people feel and just a few hours one Sunday a month can make an incredible difference. The gatherings are tremendous fun and I can feel excitement in the air each month when I ring around my members, my hosts and my drivers." Christine – Group coordinator and driver
For more information about any of these roles and to discuss current vacancies please contact Jane Murphy on 07442 096145 or [email protected]
Angel Court – Gateshead RVS
Would you love to help run our wonderful social group?
Do you love chatting to older people, knowing that a simple smile can really improve someone’s day? This friendly social group are looking for dedicated volunteers who make things happen in their community.
Both men and women attend this lively group while getting involved in games, music and memory activities, bingo and craft projects. Our volunteer co-ordinator would really appreciate your help and Royal Voluntary Service can support you every step of the way. These social sessions run every Tuesday 1pm – 3pm at Angel Court in Gateshead.
Volunteers are our lifeblood, and with your helping hands and a willingness to bring people together we can reduce loneliness and give older people the opportunity to get involved and connected to their community.
“Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation.” – Oscar Wilde
To find out more, please contact:-
Julie Crocker – Community Engagement & Development Worker
(Royal Voluntary Service) M: 07769 369250 E: [email protected]
Diabetes UK
Are you interested in volunteering for Diabetes UK? We have a number of volunteer opportunities available in the North East including: lead ‘Know Your Risk’ volunteer, speaker volunteer, events volunteer, local action volunteer, and our most recent role, a befriender volunteer.
Diabetes UK will provide any training and support necessary for the role you are interested in, as well as reimbursement of any out of office expenses incurred while carrying out the role. If you are passionate about making a difference, connecting with others and would like to be a part of a fantastic team of volunteers in the North then please get in touch for further details.
Contact: Evie Kinghorn, Volunteer Development Officer, Diabetes UK [email protected] 07885 557 010
ENGLISH HERITAGE
What did you do last week?
Conserve and clean a Renaissance masterpiece? Walk in the footsteps of a Roman? Create a Tudor garden?
As an English Heritage volunteer you can do all this and more.
We care for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites – from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman Forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker.
Volunteering lies at the heart of what we do. Become part of our fantastic volunteer community whether you want to make friends, learn new skills or indulge your passion, every contribution makes a difference.
Please contact Sophie Hearn for more details ([email protected] /07557 834133)
GOSFORTH COMMUNITY MINIBUS
A Local charity operating a 12 seater minibus in the Gosforth and Jesmond areas of Newcastle upon Tyne
Our customers use our services to offer
• Trips to Gosforth Library • Shopping trips to local supermarket • Trips out for local community groups, care homes and youth groups
Join us as a volunteer driver or escort.
Drivers need to be 25 – 69 and have a D1 category on their licence
Want to join us?
FOODCYCLE
FoodCycle combines surplus food, volunteers and free kitchen space to create nutritious, three- course meals FREE for the community.
Based in the same location at Felling Food Network, FoodCycle will be delivering a free meal to those in need on Friday of each week starting from March 2020.
The group and the volunteers will come together to host and cook a meal for members of the public. This will be a three-course vegetarian meal.
There are 5 main volunteer roles available within this group. Including:
- Cooking Project Lead Volunteer – you will take the lead for the meal during the session. You will be asked to organise the other general cooking volunteers and oversee the delivery of the meal. You will be provided with training including level 2 food safety, and first aid etc. You will be required to lead at least one session per month.
- General cooking volunteer – you will assist the cooking project leader volunteer and help to chop, peel, mix, boil, fry and generally prepare and cook the three-course meal. You will receive all relevant training as well as access to optional training. You will be asked to deliver an estimated 6 hours per month. You can be part of one of session or volunteer more than once.
- Hosting Project Lead Volunteer – The Hosting Project Lead volunteer will be responsible for the hosting on the evening, including front of house, the appearance of the room, the serving of the meal and the clearing away afterwards. You will be responsible for the other general host volunteers who will be asked to work with under your supervision. You will need to lead at least one session per month. Training will be provided.
- General Hosting volunteer – This volunteer role will involve helping out at the session, including preparing tables, serving meals, socialising and chatting to people, and clearing away. You can take part in a one-off opportunity or come along to more than one session.
- Food Collector volunteer - The Food Collector volunteer role is for people who collect the items to be used in the meal, from organisations and groups that would like to donate them. This will be within the local area and you will be informed where and when to pick up and drop off items. You will need to have access to your own transport and be insured.
You will be reimbursed for all expenses up to £15 within two weeks and proof of evidence.
HATTRICK PROJECT
Social media – Volunteers to help improve our social media! You would be working towards improving Hat-Tricks marketing and advertising, promoting our programmes. Raising awareness locally of our brand and what we offer on a weekly basis.
Sports delivery – To plan and deliver safe, enjoyable coaching sessions for groups that are structured and progressive, and contribute to the overall Hat-Trick mission of maximising the potential of young people regardless of ability or background.
BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION
We are looking for volunteers in BHF Furniture & Electrical in West Denton. We need volunteers for each day of the week and can offer training in shop floor and warehouse roles. Please let me know if you can lead us to any volunteers. [email protected]
CHILDREN NORTH EAST
Children North East Baby and Child Nearly New Sale Sat 22nd Feb 2019
Venue: Grand Hotel Gosforth Park, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HN
Children North East are looking for volunteers to help us with our Baby & Child Nearly New Sale.
Children North East are hosting our first Baby and Child Nearly New Sale on Saturday 22nd February at the Grand Hotel in Gosforth.
We're looking for a team of 4-6 volunteers to come in to our Head Office in Fenham on one week day ahead of the sale, ideally w/c 10th February, for roughly 4 hours to help sort and price stock.
We're also looking for volunteers on the day of the sale itself Saturday 22nd February, with opportunities available from 8am-4pm, including on till points, welcoming shoppers, and as stall assistants.
To find out more and to sign up to volunteer please contact Catriona on 0191 256 2444 / [email protected]
OUSEBURN FARM
Corporate Event Day Coordinator
The Corporate Event Days Volunteer Coordinator will support our Partnerships Officer and our Community & Events Fundraiser.
If you enjoy working as part of a small, friendly and dedicated team are confident, well organised, outgoing with strong communication skills and have fundraising experience - or are looking to gain some with a view to a career in the Voluntary Sector - we would love to hear from you.
● Working closely with the Partnerships Officer to plan Corporate Volunteering Days. ● Liaising with representatives from local businesses about their day ● Coordinating the day’s schedule of events and facilitating all activities. ● Supervise corporate visitors during their volunteering day. ● Take responsibility for corporate volunteer resources, making sure all days are properly resourced and that resources are stored and organised adequately. ● Ensure that corporates receive appropriate recognition for their efforts on social media. ● Use evaluation tools provided by the Partnerships Officer to record feedback from the days. ● Liaise with the Fundraising Team as well as other Ouseburn Farm staff to ensure the smooth running of all events and activities ● Provide quality administrative support ● Become familiar with Ouseburn Farm’s ethos and history ● Keep up to date with current activities and services on offer
There will also be the opportunity to help out at Community Fundraising Event days as well as more general fundraising and other events held at, or organised by, Ouseburn Farm. e: [email protected] m: 07719549379
CITIZEN ADVICE NORTH TYNESIDE
Adviser
Our teams of trained volunteer Advisers are central to helping our clients and providing the service they need. Advisers are the main members of staff who help the public with their problems, whether face-to-face or through telephone or digital channels, and deal with a wide range of different problems and questions. Tasks include:
· Interview clients in the bureau, over the telephone and on live webchat.
· Research information from our electronic information system and other sources.
· Provide advice, explanation and help with the choices and consequences that the client faces.
· Help clients negotiate with people such as creditors and service providers.
· Give practical help by writing letters, making telephone calls, completing forms, etc.
· Refer clients to other agencies who are better placed to help.
· Keep detailed records of all clients’ cases.
· Prevent future problems for clients by identifying failing policies and poor services.
The Adviser’s Skills You don’t need any particular qualifications or experience to train as an Adviser. All sorts of people become advisers, but you will need to:
· Be good at listening and being patient.
· Be able to work in a team.
· Be able to read and write English, and do basic maths.
· Be open-minded and non-judgemental.
· Enjoy helping people.
· Be supportive to clients and colleagues.
· Be confident using Information Technology.
Our Advisers don’t need to know everything - we provide free and comprehensive accredited training, backed up by supervision and guidance to help you achieve the skills you need to deliver a high quality service to our clients. For further information, please contact Daniel on 0191 270 4490 or email [email protected]
PEAREY HOUSE
Gardener
Pearey House Centre For Visually Impaired (formerly Tynemouth Blind Welfare Society) is a day centre for visually impaired adults living in North Tyneside.
We are looking for a volunteer to come and do "a bit of pottering" in our garden.
No gardening experience is necessary, just general tidying up of the borders. Time and day to suit the volunteer. please apply to [email protected] Tel 0191 257 4388
USEFUL VISION
Activity Volunteer
We are looking for Activity Volunteers to assist us with our family fun days. Volunteers will be required to meet and greet families, give them relevant information and make them feel welcome.
You will be socialising with families, offering help and support where needed and you will get the opportunity to enjoy a fun day out.
Volunteers will always work with Useful Vision Staff. Relevant training will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact Louise on [email protected] or 0845 604 8491
SMILE FOR LIFE – CAFE BEAM
George is 22 years old and autistic. He loves his work placement at Cafe Beam, a bistro café in the heart of Gosforth. He wants to learn skills and build his confidence so that he can get a paid job. He is very friendly and eager to learn but he needs guidance to keep him focused. George and the small team of young people on shift need a volunteer mentor to support them and oversee the smooth cafe operation. Could this be you? You need to be over 18+ and should be friendly, approachable, patient. Please get in touch with Lauren – [email protected] or 0191 284 4166.
THE KITTIWAKE TRUST
The Kittiwake Trust always needs volunteers to help in the Multilingual library based in Eldon Square
We do training on the spot, so library experience is not necessary (though most welcome).
The day is generally split into two shifts: Morning 11:00 - 14:00 and Afternoon 14:00 - 18:00. We are open Monday - Saturday
Languages other than English are also most welcome, but again not essential. It could be helpful to have some older volunteers as students - while enthusiastic and great to work with - have to take a break for exams etc, so we are sometimes left with gaps in the schedule.
There's a volunteer form on our website: http://www.kittiwaketrust.org.uk/volunteering/
On that page you can also find a form to volunteer for Borderline Books in Pelaw where we collet books to give away free of charge to those in need.
ACTION TUTORING
Action Tutoring links volunteer tutors with pupils who otherwise might not get extra help with their schoolwork. We support them with English and maths ahead of their SATs or GCSEs. We are still looking for a few more maths tutors for this upcoming semester, particularly on: Monday 3-4 in NE12 Tuesday 2:30-3:30 in NE28 Wednesday 3-4 in NE3 All training, DBS certificates and reasonable travel expenses covered, making it a great opportunity to get involved in the local area and develop your skills! If you're interested, message me or go to our website: www.actiontutoring.org.uk
FAMILY LIVES
Could you spare 4 hours a week?
Family lives are looking for volunteers to work on the helpline, afternoon or evenings.
Family lives offer support for all the family, with any issue.
We are a free national helpline. We are based in South Gosforth.
Full training given.
Please e mail [email protected]
for more information, please included a telephone number
The next Training will be: March
Monday 16th – 6pm -9pm
Saturday 21st 10am -4.30pm
Monday 23rd 6pm -9pm
Plus 8-12 hours training in the call centre
Newsletter sent by
Karen Watson || Volunteer Centre Officer
07419 988821 Commercial Union House, 39 Pilgrim Street.