Volunteer Centre Newcastle

Archive

New home for table football

Thanks to the efforts of the Newcastle Volunteer Centre, North East charity New Prospects is now the proud owner of a fun four-legged edition to their day service. Donated by a family from Heddon-on-the-Wall, the football table has provided a welcome opportunity for people with learning disabilities to gather and enjoy an activity together. The football table plays an important part in the new Social Club scheme which New Prospects Association launched this July for adults with learning disabilities to meet, greet and socialize in a fun-filled, friendly environment. Ellen Vick, Chief Executive of New Prospects Association, says “New Prospects strives to enhance the lives of people living with learning disabilities. We believe more social interaction and fun-filled opportunities such as our new social scheme are key to this, since making friends and meeting new people inspires confidence, happiness and a greater sense of independence”. New Prospects Association would like to thank Sylvia and her family for their generosity and thoughtfulness donating the football table, and Newcastle Volunteer Centre for their efforts in establishing the contact.

Volunteers' Week 2011

To see the Volunteers' Week newsletter and to download a certificate that you can give to your volunteers please visit

New member of staff

Victoria Potts (Vic) has started as the Positive Choices Volunteer Centre Officer this week. She takes over from Gemma Finch who left the Volunteer Centre earlier this year. Vic started her induction week on 24th May and will be in touch to say hello soon. If you want to speak to her or arrange a meeting please call her on 0191 232 6616.

Festive Closures

Over the festive period we will be closed from 22nd December and reopening on Tuesday 4th January 2011. Any emails or telephone calls, or do-it enquiries which we receive during these dates will not be dealt with.

Carol Singers Needed!

Do you enjoy singing? Want to sing Christmas carols in Eldon Square as part of a group and help raise some much needed funds for charity? Are you free from 3-4pm on Friday 17th December? Then contact Kate or Kerry on 01434 676 843 or email fundraising@lifespanteam.org.uk and help out Lifespan!

Give an Extra Special Gift this Christmas.

Crisis Skylight Newcastle is the learning and skills centre for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. At Christmas time we welcome our guests to enjoy their Christmas time in the safe and welcoming company of our volunteers. To give out as gifts, we are looking for the kind donations of new: - Books, CD’s, Games, DVD’s - Toiletry packs - Boxes of chocolate - Radios - AA batteries - Pens and paper - Clothing (new or nearly new) - Hats gloves, Scarves etc - Jewellery - Male and female underwear Unfortunately we cannot take second hand electrical items We are also looking for donations of: - Canned food - Crisps, nuts and snacks - Biscuits - Canned or bottled pop - Tea and Coffee - Sugar - Any other non perishable food. We are also looking for any local food business that may donate their end of day food on Christmas eve (meats, vegetables, breads etc). If you think you could donate any of the above, please contact nick.sinclair@crisis.org.uk or drop the donations off at the Crisis Skylight centre.

Queens Awards

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities. It is open to any group of two or more people doing volunteering work that is a social, economic or environmental service to the local community. The group must have been running for three years or more. Deadline for nominations is 30 September. To find out more visit www.direct.gov.uk or go direct via http://digbig.com/5bcjha Back to top

Meet the Primes

Meet the Primes 24 September, 10.00am and 12.30pm at Sunderland Stadium of Light This event organised by VONNE aims to give third sector organisations the opportunity to find out who the prime contractors are, what opportunities they may have, what type of partners they are looking to for and how to become a partner. To find out more visit www.vonne.org.uk or go direct via http://digbig.com/5bcjhd

Heritage Opportunites

Heritage volunteering at the Ouseburn Trust We have a number of heritage roles for people from all walks of life – you can learn to be an archivist, oral history interviewer, transcriber, or Victoria Tunnel guide. If you would like to find out more, please come to our special heritage drop in on Monday 20th September from 10am – 12pm, at 53 Lime Street NE1 2PQ. Or alternatively, please contact Kirsten on 0191 261 6595 or kirsten.luckins@ouseburntrust.org.uk . We will be running training for new archive volunteers all day on Thursday 23rd September, so please come on Monday to sign up! Thanks very much, hope I’m not too late – probably am… Kirsten Luckins Volunteer Support Officer Ouseburn Valley Volunteers Ouseburn Trust 53 Lime Street Newcastle NE1 2PQ Tel: 0191 261 6596 Fax: 0191 230 4210 Web: www.ouseburntrust.org.uk Available Monday - Thursday, 9am - 5pm

Paws4Pride

Yes its nearly the weekend and we have a urgent request from Ken at Pride Pet Show Sunday Leazes Park (Yes THATS THIS SUNDAY!) He still could do with volunteers He would love help setting up - help putting up the area barriers, marking out the different spaces, inspecting the grass are for glass before animals arrive Someone intrested in supporting traffic control in and out of the park - specifically to the event Needs Stewarts for the entrance of the "No Dog Zone" Stewarts to Dog sit by the entrance of the "No Dog Zone" so dog owners can look at all the other species Support the judge to give out the winning rossettes This is an LGBT EVENT, but Ken is keen to have volunteers from all parts of the community as long as they are respectful Anyone intrested should call Ken 07969412748 or turn up at the Bandstand in the middle of Leazes Park Sunday 25th at 9am This really is an event not to be missed!! Karen

Refugees Into Teaching - Launch Event

Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No: 5775686. Registered Charity: 1117026 Launch Event Newcastle Refugees into Teaching Project Tuesday the 27th of July 11am to 2pm The Park Centre, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre Come along to find out more about the project: • How we can support you o One to one information, advice and guidance and action plan o Work placement and school visits o Volunteering o Mentoring / support from teaching professionals o Workshops / Support group • CRB checks – what is a CRB check, why do you need one and documentation needed? • Meet teachers who will tell you about their teaching experience • A chance for you to ask questions Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and travel expenses paid If you would like to attend or need further information please contact Yunis Hasaballa: admin@jetnorth.org.uk 0191 226 3620

Creative Communities

Date: 16 July 2010 Venue: Holy Biscuit Gallery, 1 Clarence Street, Newcastle NE2 1YH Time: 2 - 5pm Crisis would like to invite you to an afternoon reception celebrating the positive impact that creative activities can have on people’s mental wellbeing. The event will be a showcase of Crisis’ clients’ talent, with artwork on display and film and drama performances during the event. We hope to highlight the importance of creative activities as part of an individual’s journey out of homelessness as well as demonstrating the range of activities we offer our clients and the community. We have long known that creative activities can help to improve mental health and wellbeing and have undertaken some research looking at the impact of such activities at our London and Newcastle Skylight centres. During the event, the researchers will speak about their findings. We will also be joined by a special guest speaker Godfrey Worsdale, Director of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, who will talk about the importance of the arts. We hope that you will be able to join us in the inspiring setting of the Holy Biscuit Gallery. An introduction to the research findings will begin at 2.10 pm followed by guest speakers and a chance to view an exhibition of work made by Crisis Skylight members, accompanied by light bites and refreshments. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To reserve your place, please email enquiries.newcastle@crisis.org.uk For information and directions to the Holy Biscuit gallery, please visit www.theholybiscuit.org/

The Big Taster at Crisis

To celebrate volunteer’s week 2010, Crisis Skylight Newcastle decided to ‘get all tasty’ in its approach. Skylight volunteers came up with an idea of opening up our café to volunteers from around the city to come and celebrate volunteering with a theme of trying / tasting new things. The BIG TASTER concept was born, the date 3rd June 2010. Executive Chef Steven Brough and our café team put together an amazing menu of weird and wonderful foods including escargot (snails to you and me), haggis and oysters! The Crossings Band provided the musical accompaniment helping to create a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. A magician (Grahame Shaw) worked the room, with some tricks that can only be put down to his apparent supernatural powers. The night was topped off with our free to enter prize draw where kindly donated prizes such as music, surfing and martial arts lessons were handed out to the lucky winners. The prizes were sourced by volunteers Emma Vowles, Seba Sharastan, Kirsty Stafford and staff member Andy Larman, they deserve a special thank you. The evening was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by the 70 people in attendance. At Crisis we believe celebrating and thanking volunteers is such an important thing to do! Crisis knows that we could not do the good work we do without the fantastic support and dedication of volunteers!

Updates on important changes to the ISA

ISA Vetting & Barring Scheme Put on Hold The following information was taken directly from the ISA website. In its recent document ‘The Coalition: Our programme for government’, the Government set out its aim to ‘review the criminal records and vetting and barring regime and scale it back to common sense levels’. In order to deliver this promise and carry out the remodeling, the Vetting and Barring Scheme will be halted. The first phase of registration was due to commence on 26 July 2010. Although the Scheme is halted whilst the Government undertakes its review, new safeguarding regulations introduced in October 2009 continue to apply. These include: A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups. An organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law. If your organisation works with children or vulnerable adults and you dismiss a member of staff or a volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or you would have done so if they had not left, you must tell the Independent Safeguarding Authority. In October 2009, the right to ask for an enhanced CRB disclosure was extended to all those who employ or use volunteers in types of activity called ‘Regulated Activity’. This right remains, and you should continue to carry out appropriate pre-recruitment checks, including CRB checks where appropriate or required by law. The Independent Safeguarding Authority will continue to carry out its work as an independent decision making body as well as continuing to maintain the barred lists, they will also continue to accept referrals. For more information: www.isa-gov.org.uk

Olympic Instired Volunteering for16 -25 year olds

Tyne & Wear Archives are developing a dynamic volunteering project for young people (aged 16 - 25). Supported by v, the project will be inspired by Olympic and Paralympic values in order to help young people and communities reap the benefits of hosting London 2012. In order to achieve the project aims we intend to establish a young person's steering group that will drive this project forward. The project will run until June 2011 and we would hope to work with the group for the duration of the project. The aims of the steering group are: -To establish a brand for the project -To assist with recruitment of a cohort of young people volunteers -To inform and plan volunteer induction and training -To define the meaning of Olympic and Paralympics values within the project -To represent the needs and perspectives of young people and decide how to address them At this stage we are looking for young people to simply register interest in joining the steering group by 30th June For more information contact Louise Britton 0191 2772299 louise.britton@twmuseums.org.uk

Problems with 'Do It' applications

Most roles that are based in Newcastle and advertised on 'Do-It' are posted by Volunteer Centre Newcastle. Between 21st April and the 10th of May our Centre encountered technical problems -this means that we did not receive any applications or enquiries that you may have during this time. This information can be retrived, but it will take a while to process the backlog. If you still haven't heard from someone in two weeks time please contact the Centre

New Green Gym Session in Shieldfield!

Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle already run a number of Green Gym sessions throughout Newcastle and are continuing their good work by starting up a new Green Gym session in Wretham Place in Sheildfield. It will take place each Tuesday from 1.30-3.30pm starting Tuesday 11th May. The Green Gym project is open to volunteers who would like to get involved in conservation and horticulture activities, no experience or qualifications necessary except an interest in conservation, gardening, working outside and as part of a team. Interested? Contact Rhoda on 07894256059

Volunteers for the Late Shows – Museums at Night

Volunteers for the Late Shows – Museums at Night After the last two year’s very successful Late Shows this event is going to be extended and repeated again this year on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th May. The main event is on the Saturday evening where museums and galleries across Newcastle and Gateshead are open between 7 and 11 pm. The city will again become alive with culture, with free admission to over 20 venues and a variety of exciting activities taking place. The night is aimed at 18 – 35 year olds, but everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun. Some venues will be open on the Friday evening as well. More information about the event can be found at www.thelateshows.org.uk. We are looking for a large team of volunteers aged 18 or over to help us with these evening events. Each volunteer will be allocated a venue. The role will include welcoming visitors and giving information, handing out freebies and leaflets, directing people to free buses and getting feedback from visitors. Travel expenses and free T-shirts will be provided. There will be two briefing sessions held at Newcastle City Library for this event on Thursday 6th May at 6 - 7 pm or Friday 7th May at 1 – 2 pm. At these briefing sessions we will allocate you to a venue, provide you with further information about the co-ordination of the evening and answer any queries you may have. If you would like to help us with The Late Shows we would be pleased to hear from you. Please fill in the form overleaf and return it in the Freepost envelope provided by Friday 1st May if possible (no stamp is needed). Confirmation will be sent to you before the briefing sessions. If you would like any more details contact me at jennifer.binns@twmuseums.org.uk or telephone 0191 2772299. If you have any friends who would like to be involved please ask them to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully Jennifer Binns Project Officer – Volunteers

WBCM COFFEE BEANS! Macmillan are looking for WBCM Coffee Beans who will help support the team during our busiest period! WBCM is our most successful event raising millions for people affected by cancer. The team need ‘Coffee Beans’ to spread the word about the event and reach our core audience. They will represent Macmillan and the WBCM in their local areas, we need people who are dynamic and creative and people who have the following skills: • Confident • Articulate • Professional • PC literate • Good Telephone manner Yet we need a range of people with different skills…they don’t have to possess them all and we will play to their strengths. We will need their support from May - September and are focusing on getting people from the following areas, any one who can access those areas are still welcome to get in touch. We need a team of people on the ground and a team on the phones! • Whickham • Whitley Bay • Gosforth • Bedlington • Ponteland • Cramlington They will be given proper training ahead of their time as ambassadors and the recruitment evening will be in a coffee morning style with cup cakes and coffee and tea, we’ll talk about services and the difference their time will make. We only ask they give us what time they can and help us change lives. We need to make this year’s WBCM the BIGGEST one yet…..so we need to recruit as many helpers as we can. This will be an enjoyable placement and a chance to work with other people volunteering in the same capacity, they will also be working with the Macmillan fundraisers. It is an opportunity in terms of someone’s CV and a chance for them to make a real difference. Each year more than a million people participate in our World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. They raise an incredible £8 million for Macmillan's vital services. At the World's Biggest Coffee Morning every cup counts. There are currently two million people in this country living with cancer. Every penny you raise for Macmillan Cancer Support will fund more of our vital services and help to change lives. Find out more about the services we provide and how your money will be put to use: £40 ...will help a cancer support group hold their first meeting. £156 ...will run our cancer support line for an hour. On average 13 people affected by cancer will recieve essential information, practical and emotional support. £184 ...could pay for a Macmillan nurse for a working day. £278 ...will keep a Macmillan cancer information and support centre stocked for a month with all the information resources, leaflets, guides and directories it needs to support people affected by cancer. £544 ...will help run a typical large Macmillan information and support centre . £755 ...could fund a service provided by volunteers that offers emotional or practical support for a working week. £918 ...will pay for a Macmillan nurse for a working week, providing expert information, advice and support to improve the lives of people with cancer.

£1,642 ...will run the benefits phone service for a working day. In this time, it will, on average, deal with 36 cases and identify £59,317 in unclaimed benefits. £1,802 ...could help run a typical small Macmillan information and support centre for a working week. £2,789 ...could fund a Macmillan cancer information and support officer for a month, providing people affected by cancer with the answers to their questions and talking through their cancer concerns.

Be a part of Newcastle Youth Council

The first ever elections for a Newcastle Youth Council take place over ten days from 7th to 17th June. We are currently seeking candidates to stand in the election. Candidates must be aged 13 to 18 inclusive and either live, work or study in the Newcastle local authority area. Most candidates will stand for election in the area in which they live (central – postcodes NE1, NE2, NE4; north – postcodes NE3, NE13; west – postcodes NE5, NE15; east – postcodes NE6, NE7). Candidates who don’t live in Newcastle will be eligible to stand in the area in which they work or study. The latest date for receipt of applications is noon Friday 14th May. Application forms and further information can be downloaded from www.youthelection2010.children-ne.org.uk Further information can be obtained by calling the election office on 0191 2733 997. You can also follow us on Facebook at “Newcastle Youth Council Elections 2010”.

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Exclusive new role with North East Ambulance Service and CSV

North East Ambulance Service and CSV are offering a unique experince to volunteers intrested in developing experince within the NHS and hospitals We are running a pilot programme at the Rake Lane Hospital. Volunteers are needed to support the North East Ambulance Service to provide a meet and greet service which will involve taking patients to wards and departments and returning them ready for the ambulance teams to collect them for discharge.No emergencies will be dealth with on the service. All training required will be done by the service and part uniform will be provided .All applicants will be CRB checked by the ambulance service at their cost and a flexible shift pattern will be available to all successful applicants Age from 18 years old will be required and applicants must be reasonable fit. A driving licence is not essential for this vacancy,however it may be an advantage The ambulance service will provide the volunteer with shoes and a white shirt but the volunteer will have to have their own black trousers If you feel this role is for you then contact Fiona 07912 387 828

ALWAYS WANTED TO RUN A FARM?

Are you sick of the rat race? Wish your life was more “Good Life” than “This Life”? Is a day on the allotment your idea of heaven? Think you can run your own business? BBC is looking for ten couples to take part in a new series which will really put your aptitude for farming to the test. The series we are working on will feature ten couples or pairs (married couples / siblings / friends etc.) who would like to grasp the opportunity to change their lives forever and run a farm/small holding. The programme will see the ten couples learn all the basics they need before decamping to a farm in the beautiful British countryside where they will be challenged in all areas of farm life, from animal husbandry to coping with the unpredictable summer weather. The series will culminate in the winning pair getting the opportunity to live and work on their own small farm. We’re looking for couples of all ages and relationships (married couples / siblings / friends etc.) who are serious about wanting to change their lives and who will relish farm life. Whether it’s a love of animals, a passion for gardening, an interest in sustainability and food provenance or a general lust for all things outdoors, we want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to take on this lifestyle-transforming project. We are really keen to have some city slickers and some urbanites in the series as well though, people who would be keen to make a break from London into the British countryside. We are especially looking for people who may already have some experience in working or volunteering with animals, food or nature, just some kind of demonstrated interest that would make them a credible and hopefully successful small holding partnership. We imagined and hoped there might be many such people using the volunteer centre and involved in self-sufficiency, sustainability, conservation, the environment, animals, food or nature (basically anything outdoors!) now or in the past with you who would jump at the opportunity to take their breeding, growing or craft skills to another level with the assistance of our project. If people want to apply they need to send an email with their name to farm@splashmediatv.co.uk and an application form will be emailed out. The deadline for applications is 28th April 2010 – You must be available for 6 weeks over the summer 2010

St George's Day

Could you be St. George? St. George's Day is just around the corner and BBC Newcastle is looking for a local hero who just happens to be called George… If you know a George who does a lot for his community or other people, or who is a great volunteer for your organisation, we'd love to hear from you. To nominate your local St. George contact Marianne Patterson on 0191 2441493 or marianne.patterson@bbc.co.uk by Friday 16th April.

New website!

With the much appreciated help of our Virtual Volunteer Ariane, we have updated our website.

We have included information which we hope will be useful to people interested in volunteering and volunteer involving organisations.

Positive Choices volunteering

Spring has arrived - it's time to bloom! Enjoy the first sunbeams and a lot of fresh air, while turning a blank canvas of a green area into a bright painting.

On Wednesday the 28th April from 1.30-3.30 pm, CSV Volunteer Centre Newcastle in partnership with Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle are going to work on the wildlife garden in St Lawrence's Park in Byker.

We are looking for 10 volunteers, who are willing to refresh themselves by refurbishing the environment.

Especially for those, who don't have volunteering experience, this taster day is a great opportunity to boost their confidence, reduce anxiety and depression and get to know people.

Dare to give your soul a new coat of paint and be part of a view-changing experience!

Interested contact Gemma Finch at info@volunteercentrenewcastle.org.uk