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Thinking about volunteering?

The Volunteer Centre aims to promote, support and develop volunteers and volunteering in the area. If you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer the centre can provide information on the opportunities and range available.

Tel: 01388 762220

Or have a look on the Do-it website for a list of the opportunities available in your area.

Join in the fun! Volunteers Week is 1-7th June!

More than 90 guests attended a moving awards ceremony on Wednesday (2 June) to recognise and pay tribute to individual volunteers and groups that have gone the extra mile for their communities.

Volunteer Centres in County Durham are working together to promote all aspects of volunteering, in particular good practice in working with volunteers.

One of the first projects they have worked on collaboratively since establishing the new brand ‘Volunteer Centres County Durham’ is National Volunteers Week (1-7 June) which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK.

They held a celebratory event on Wednesday, in partnership with the Phoenix project and funded by the Big Lottery, which showcased a number of groups from County Durham, focusing on their activities, their volunteers and the roles undertaken and the way in which they have been supported by the six Volunteer Centres.

Volunteers from each group spoke about what they personally gain from volunteering and what they liked about the group they volunteer for, highlighting how important it is for groups to look after their volunteers.

Groups awarded for their good practice were:

· Natural England at Castle Eden Dene

· Chester-le-Street & District Voluntary Welfare Committee

· Derwentside Citizens Advice Bureau

· Waddington Street Centre, Durham

· LEAPS and BLIND Life

· Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal Trust

· Stonham

· County Durham Youth Offending Service

· Durham University Phoenix Project

As well as the presentation ceremony there was a buffet lunch and Trish Greensmith, the founder of the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal Fund, ended the fantastic event on a high note by entertaining us with a selection of songs. Trish is pictured right receiving her award from Lindsay Wright. The LEAPS and BLinD group pictured above. These were the two groups nominated by 2D for their good practice in working with volunteers.

The Volunteer Centres County Durham ‘Guide to Good Practice in Working with Volunteers’ was also launched at the event. The aim of the guide is to help achieve an all round satisfying experience for the volunteer, the agency and beneficiaries.

On behalf of the Volunteer Centres County Durham, Lindsay Wright, Development Officer for 2D said “Volunteers Week is the perfect opportunity to thank all the wonderful volunteers who give their time to benefit others in the community. Of course their contribution is appreciated all year round, but this is a particularly special week in the volunteering calendar. They deserve a public recognition.

Volunteers should feel valued and respected and be fully involved in the organisation. Showing your appreciation with a small event or gesture can really boost a volunteer’s morale, self confidence and sense of self-worth.”

“I would also encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering to drop into their local Volunteer Centre to find out more about the opportunities available. Volunteering plays a vital role in our community, and it could make a lasting difference to your life too!” For further information visit www.volunteercentrescountydurham.org

Why do people volunteer?

Whether you want to gain experience, get promoted, or move into a specific field, volunteering can point you towards your future career.

Do you need experience or to improve your existing skills? Lots of people have found voluntary work has helped them find permanent employment. It offers a way to gain new skills or develop the ones you already have

Someone could benefit from your skills or experience.

Passing on your knowledge to an organisation or an individual is both helpful and rewarding.

You may want to volunteer to increase your own quality of life, confidence and social networks, or just have fun!

Volunteers can be of all ages- you can meet new people and get involved in all sorts of social activities.

Or, you may want to volunteer to simply improve your local area without having any interest in training or employment.

There are so many different ways you can help and if you enjoy it, you are helping yourself too!

Whatever the reason we can provide you with the advice and support you need to succeed. We offer:

An area to chat confidentially, at our office or at a location of your choice.
Information on volunteering opportunities, either in person, on the phone or on the web.
Support for volunteers after placement and for people working with volunteers.
Representation of issues concerning volunteers and voluntary work to local and national policy makers.
Opportunities with local organisations whose work involves volunteers including community groups, health services, colleges, sports clubs etc.
Targeted opportunities to members of the community who are under represented in volunteering. Ensuring that volunteers are not discriminated against and that volunteers are supported in their voluntary activity.
newsletters featuring news, events & opportunities.

The range of opportunities is vast and, as well as local, national and international placements are also available.

How we can help your organisation

We actively participate in, or organise events under the regional and national campaigns to market volunteering. Such as Volunteers Week and Make a Difference Day.

We promote volunteering through our newsletters, the Internet, in local and regional press, and information points throughout Teesdale and Wear Valley.

We have an extensive list of contacts from all sectors, which we frequently network with.

We are able to offer training in specialist areas to suit the requirements of each individual organisation.

As well as referring volunteers to meet your organisations needs, there are also opportunities available for employee volunteering. An individual could offer their professional skills in a particular role or take part in a team challenge, a team building exercise where employees can put something back into the community.

The Volunteer Centre has 6 core functions:

Brokerage - the Volunteer Centre holds information on a range of opportunities with the aim of matching volunteers with appropriate volunteering opportunities. We also offer potential volunteers support and advice.

Marketing volunteering - we stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns.

Good practice development - promoting good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. We deliver training and accreditation for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure.

Develop volunteering opportunities - working in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities.

Policy response and campaigning - identifying proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering.

Strategic development of volunteering - As the local experts on volunteering Volunteer Centres inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.