Thinking about volunteering?

The Volunteer Centre, Teesdale and Wear Valley 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.

See for yourself on the Do-it website

  Binchester does clear up for CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK’s biggest day of volunteering

Saturday 25^th October was CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's biggest annual day of volunteering, when ordinary people across the country become community heroes by organising or taking part in an activity.

In Binchester, near Bishop Auckland, 2D Voluntary & Community Support co-ordinated a project to clear land behind the village’s Granville Terrace. Member’s of Binchester Residents Association and other local people took part in the scheme which, it is hoped, will kick start improvements to the wider area.

Another day is planned for 6^th November where students from Bishop Auckland College will be continuing the good work started by the residents.

Already 4 skips, kindly loaned free of charge from Durham County Council, are full of rubble, metals and green waste. Groundwork West Durham and Darlington also provided the tools.

The day was a great example of a community pulling together to tackle local issues and working with neighbouring organisations.

Thousands of people get together every year to make a difference in their communities. And there’s an easy way to volunteer, contact your local Volunteer Centre at 2D on 01388 762220

Museums Live!

The West Durham Cultural Volunteering Project Museums Live! exists for young people aged 16-25 living in or near to Teesdale, Weardale or Wear Valley.

It’s mainly designed for young people who aren’t in full time education or employment, and who might want to gain new skills in a practical, hands-on way such as - Art, Drama, Film, Heritage, Environment, Music, or a completely new idea of your own- as a route into further volunteering, training, college or paid work.

Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills outside college, to try new ideas before choosing a career, and to build your CV with real workplace roles and responsibilities.

Activities will take place at Killhope Museum and across West Durham. They have teamed up with loads of exciting organisations (see photo) to help plan & deliver activities for Museums Live! And Weardale Community Transport to make sure everyone can get where they need to be.

Visit: http://www.museumslive.co.uk/home.ikml

Mental Health Volunteering Project

2D, in partnership with Wear Valley District Council, has recently commenced a project specifically aimed at promoting the mental health benefits of volunteering.
This will involve:

• Raising awareness of issues relating to mental health to individuals, groups and organisations. From the importance to all of taking care of mental wellbeing in tandem with physical health, to understanding the diversity of mental health problems and the support measures that can be put in place.
• Working to reduce the stigma around mental health problems through supporting individuals and groups and providing appropriate information advice and guidance.
• Empowering Individuals with mental health problems to make decisions regarding their future.
• Improving social aspects and quality of life of those with mental health problems through the experience of volunteering, improving skills, confidence and self-esteem.
• Developing and maintaining opportunities for volunteering, with local voluntary or statutory agencies.
• Providing opportunities for progression into employment.

Should you wish to get involved in any capacity, please contact Katja Francis or Lindsay Wright at 2D on 01388 762220.

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!

Think of the things you enjoy, with all the volunteering opportunities available, there is definitely something for you. 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.