my volunteering guide
DESCRIPTION
Your guide to helping your community through volunteering including details of local organisations and groups in Sefton and West LancashireTRANSCRIPT
Volunteering
Your guide to helping your community through volunteeringincluding details of useful local organisations and groups
VolunteeringVolunteeringGUIDE
VolunteeringMY
VolunteeringVolunteering2011
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The Adhouse Ltd, Design . Advertising . Marketing, would like to show itssupport for Claire House Tel: 0151 707 0800 email: [email protected]
“I love going to Claire House. I have friends there and the nurses always make me smile and laugh. My parents tell me I go there because I am special. I sometimes feel poorly sick but when I go to Claire House they always make me feel happy so I feel better. You should come and visit, Claire House is a very beautiful and colourful place…”
Claire House Children’s Hospice desperately needs volunteers in your area. Without the support of our volunteers our task of raising £2.5 million every year would be simply impossible.
Can you spare a few hours to help our fundraising team? All we ask for is enthusiasm and a love for meeting new people!!
For more details pleasecontact Yvonne Cave, Senior Area Fundraiser –Sefton and West Lancs0151 227 4941 [email protected]
Registered Charity No.1004058
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Liverpool and Sefton
Volunteers make a differenceMake a change
Make a start on a new career Make a phone call now
0800 002 9006
Make it happen
Age Concern Liverpool and SeftonSir Thomas House, 5 Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool L1 6BW
93 Tulketh Street, Southport PR8 1AW
www.ageconcernliverpool.org.ukJoin Ellie, Martin and Ann in our team of volunteers
1093226
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If you would be interested in getting involved atNetherton Feelgood Factory or for some more
information please do not hesitate to contact us: 0151 291 8010
www.feelgoodfactory.org.ukNetherton Feelgood factory,
Glover’s Lane, Netherton, L30 5QW.
The Netherton Feelgood factory is a community led healthy living centre in South Sefton. We use a community development approach to enable people to improve their health, well being and quality of life. The Feelgood Factory provides services for the whole community from childhood to old age in order to promote health and well being. Our programme of activities is delivered both in the centre and through outreach work. We also include volunteers in everything we do so if you would be interested in volunteering as well as accessing any services please get in touch. Our services include:
Your Health Project (16-25yr olds).This is a young person’s volunteering project which enables young people to work with their peers to improve their health and well being. We also run a 12 week course for people aged 13-18 which covers every aspect of a healthy lifestyle.
Advice and Information.We are a one stop shop for local people enquiring about relevant agencies and sources of help and advice.
Breast Start (breastfeeding support project). We provide information and support to mums who are breastfeeding or want to breastfeed.
Healthy Lifestyles.We offer a range of activities to improve health and well being including exercise sessions, weight management groups and Peer Mentors to help people to give up smoking and a community allotment.
Mens Health Project.This aims to improve health and well being of men in South Sefton. Through exercise sessions (at various levels), cookery classes and weight management.
Skills For Living.Works with people affected by mental health issues and helps them maintain positive well being. Through classes such as positive thinking, anger and stress management and bereavement. We also have drop in sessions offering information and advice.
Older and Vulnerable Persons Project.Offers a variety of services including a shopping squad, Mow and Grow service to maintain the gardens of people who want to stay in their own homes, chair based exercises, handyman service and a history group.
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Editor Laurent Saletto Advertising Karen Simms Design Mike Rose
PUBLISHED BY
Champion Media GroupClare House, 166 Lord Street,
Southport, PR9 0QATelephone : 01704 392 392
www.champnews.com© 2010 CMG. All rights reserved.
Information contained herein believed correctat time of going to press but subject to change
without notice. E&OE.
ContentsVolunteering changes lives forever. Here are some great quotes to encourage you …
“The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Ghandi
‘No joy can equal the joy serving others.’ — Sai Baba
“When you open your heart to giving, angels fly to your door.” — Unknown
A wise lady once told me that when you find your ideal job, you will do it for less than they pay you and when you find your calling you will do it for free.” — Martin Tichenor
There is only one thing worse than training your volunteers and having them leave – and that’s not training them, and having them stay. — Unknown
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” — Aesop
“Volunteers are paid in six figures ... S-M-I-L-E-S” — Gayla LeMaire
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” — Sally Koch
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’”— Rev. Martin Luther King
Why be a volunteer? .. .. .. .. 6
North Sefton Social Inclusion Project . 10
The Samaritans . 14
vinvolved Sefton . 17
Promoting Sefton .. .. .. .. .. .23
InnoV8 .. .. .. .. .. .28
Volunteer Centre West Lancs .. .. .33
A day in the life of a magistrate .. .. .. .36
Age Concern. .. .38
If this guide helps you make a decision to help others, please tell the organisation you have
chosen to work with.Thank you.
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This is an often asked question as many of us do not realise the benefi ts to be had from volunteering.
Volunteering is not just helping others
but often, it is also about yourself and what
it can do for you as a person. Rewards
in life are not always monetary, and often
volunteering benefi ts far outweigh fi nancial
remuneration.
So let us explore some of the reasons
why you could enjoy be a volunteer..
Self EsteemVolunteering is about working with and
for others and challenges are numerous.
You will explore your own self in a way you
probably never have had to and this in turn
will increase your own self confi dence and
belief in yourself. Volunteering is all about
your own personal journey.
Helping everybodyEveryone can be a volunteer. You may
have some time on your hands, or get fed
up of going round shops on your days off.
Giving help to someone will revolutionize
the way you think about others and will fulfi l
you like no other activity can. There is no
age limit to be a volunteer. Everyone of us
can do something worthwhile.
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FriendshipsWhen you are a volunteer, one of the best
rewards is meeting like minded people in
a common setting and with similar goals.
Because there is no remuneration involved,
volunteering is a straight playing fi eld, where
everyone has the same value. Bonds of
friendship develop easily and in general,
are long lasting too. Friendship is defi nitely
one of the best rewards life can offer and
volunteering offers this opportunity again
and again.
Opening new doorsBecause you spend a great deal of time
liasing with organisations and individuals,
volunteering offers amazing opportunities
to meet people who, in turn, may be key for
you to start a new job or a new career.
Value of volunteeringVolunteering for a while can add value to
your list of achievements for a prospective
employer. Never forget that volunteering
will add a huge skill base to your abilities
and that many employers will welcome a
candidate who can network, speak to people
at every level and organise teams naturally.
Something that a lot of volunteering activities
will have taught you!
Why be a volunteer?
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Personal SatisfactionReceiving is always better than giving,
and this is certainly true of volunteering.
Helping someone out of a dilemma and
feeling that you are the key to the solution
can never be matched by remuneration
alone. By getting to know a problem and
being actively involved in solving it, you will
also be able to help those making decisions
when they consult you.
And you’ll be fi tter! Physically and psychologically,
volunteering has a lot of extra benefi ts. You
will increase your self esteem for starters
and automatically, will begin to feel better.
Many volunterring activities are also out and
about and give you extra exercise that your
body will enjoy.
Sign me up…This guide that you are about to read
will give you all the necessary contacts for
you to start making a real difference to your
community. You will be able to choose from
a variety of organisations and we are sure
you will fi nd something perfect for you.
Being a volunteer is much much more
than spending a few hours each week
working on a project. It is about you and
unleashing the power of changing things
that all of us possess but few of us choose
to apply.
Why be a volunteer?
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A man is guilty ofdriving with threetimes the permittedlevel of alcohol in his bloodstream. Headmits to being alife-long heavy drinker.
BANNED FROMDRIVING ANDPRISON?
You don't need legal experience orqualifi cations to serve as a magistrate.
You do need to be able to sit in court for a minimum of 26 half-days each year. Magistrates aren't paid, but many employers allow time off with pay, or you can claim a loss of earnings allowance.
To fi nd out more call01772 272834 or 01772 272840or go to www.magistrates.gov.uk
The man is in his late 60's and has health problems which require medication.He also looks after his disabled wife who is housebound and requires round-the-clock care.
BANNED FROM DRIVING AND A COMMUNITY SENTENCE?
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The aim of the project is to support and encourage social inclusion for older people. The project is divided into two main areas, Ageing Well Clubs and the Southport and Formby shopping services.
The Clubs are for residents of North
Sefton who are aged over 50 years and
are socially isolated due to physical
disability, bereavement, sensory disability,
long term illness or low self-esteem. The
aim of the club is to provide a safe place
for socially isolated people to meet other
individuals and participate in a range of
activities.
We want to provide a place where
members can get together and share their
experiences and stories with each other.
The Social Inclusion project takes
referrals from all sources whether it
be self referral, family/friends, Health
professionals or Voluntary, Community
and Faith Sector professionals.
The service is supported with a group of
dedicated volunteers who help with group
activity, prepare healthy refreshments and
encourage club members to interact in
a warm friendly atmosphere. The clubs
are held every Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday from 1.30pm til 3.30pm.
Southport and Formby shopping is a
service for older people who are unable
to shop for themselves. Priority is given to
older people who have no family or friends
near by to support them. The service is
coordinated by the project worker and
supported with a group of volunteers.
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Be a volunteer forThe North Sefton Social Inclusion Project
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Southport shopping service takes place
every Friday when the volunteers and the
coordinator meet at 9.30am to complete
the shopping. The delivery and transport is
arranged by the project, and on a rota basis
two volunteers complete the deliveries
which can take two to three hours.
Formby shopping service takes place
on a Wednesday and again is supported
by the coordinator and the volunteers.
Delivery is currently done by the
volunteers in their own transport.
We need your helpDo you feel you can make a difference
and offer a warm and friendly approach
to our clients? We need your support to
make the project a success and maximize
our purpose.
If you feel you could support us and
have a few hours to spare then please
come and join us at Ageing well clubs or
as a shopping volunteer.
If you would like to become a volunteer
or want to any further information please
contact: Cathy Sutton on 01704 501024
ext 203, North Sefton Social Inclusion Project Coordinator
Be a volunteer forThe North Sefton Social Inclusion Project
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Samaritans launched a hard-hitting campaign to combat suicide amongst men. Around 6,000 people in the UK take their own lives every year and three-quarters of them are men. Of these, the men most likely to die by suicide are those aged 25-55
The advertising campaign, Men On The
Ropes, aims to reduce the 4,000 plus,
male suicides that happen each year by
persuading men in distress to talk about
their problems and consider calling
Samaritans.
With its boxing theme, the campaign
specifi cally targets men in their 30s, 40s
and 50s, who are the most likely of all to
die by suicide. Network Rail is backing
the campaign as part of its fi ve-year
partnership with Samaritans to reduce
railway suicides by 20 per cent.
Samaritans aim is to get all men
talking about their feelings. They want
men to consider calling Samaritans’ 24/7
confi dential helpline to talk about how they
are feeling before those feelings build up
to a point where life doesn’t seem worth
living.
Welsh International rugby union referee Nigel Owens, who attempted
to take his own life, said: “Men from my
town would just get on with things, you
weren’t even aware men had problems.
My depression started because I didn’t
like who I was and I was too ashamed to
talk to anyone.
“I let these feelings build up and up and
before I knew it I couldn’t see a reason to
live anymore.
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“Looking back there were people
I could have and should have turned
to. I think that if I had been able to talk
to someone that day, I might not have
attempted suicide.
“Today, I can’t even fi nd the words to
explain how thankful I am that I am still
here.
“That’s why this campaign is so
important; because it has the power to
make men aware help is available and that
they should use it.”
Jayne, a volunteer from Southport Samaritans said: “We believe that many
men don’t feel able to talk about their
feelings and instead either bottle them up
or let them spiral out of control, sometimes
with tragic consequences. The main
aim of the campaign is to make calling
Samaritans’ 24/7 confi dential helpline an
option for them.
Southport Samaritans are open to
anyone who wants to call in and talk at
32 Union Street – look out for the new
green door!
Also look out for the new posters at
stations around the north west.
The Samaritans can also be contacted
by telephone at anytime of the day or
night on 01704 538038 or 08457 90 90 90
or by email: [email protected]
Be a volunteer forThe Samaritans
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Sefton advocacya voice for people in need
BE A VOLUNTEERHelp vulnerable people in Sefton
Voice their views, secure their rights,address problems in their lives
CALL: 01704 500 500www.seftonadvocacy.org
Volunteers work with people in Sefton to help• People air their concerns about the service they receive
• To secure their rights• To address problems in their lives
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Be a volunteer forvinvolved Sefton
vinvolved Sefton is part of the National Youth Volunteering Programme, a network of teams across England that have been established to develop volunteering for 16-25 year olds. We are funded by national youth volunteering charity V.
We work across the borough to
promote the benefi ts of volunteering to
young people through presentations
at schools and colleges, youth clubs
and drop-in sessions at venues across
Sefton. vinvolved staff then spend time
with potential volunteers to help them
fi nd suitable volunteering placements
that can complement their studies, career
aspirations or interests.
Since vinvolved Sefton was established
in April 2008 we have supported over 1300
young people to fi nd the sort of volunteer
placements they want to get involved
with. If a volunteer wants to use particular
skills but a suitable volunteer opportunity
doesn’t exist then we will work with them
to create something especially for them.
For example we have been able to create
website design and translation roles
for individuals who approached us with
specialist skills or interests.
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vinvolved Sefton also works with
voluntary, community and faith
organisations to encourage and support
them to work with younger volunteers. If
organisations need volunteers, whether for
full-time, part-time or one-off roles, we can
promote them to young people who may
be able to help.
To help us manage our project we
have recruited a Youth Action Team
(YAT), a group of young people who
are passionate about volunteering and
want to help their peers reap the benefi ts
of getting involved! The YAT advise
vinvolved Sefton on key aspects of our
work and also get directly involved in
how we deliver our service. They have
promoted volunteering to their peers,
worked with organisations to develop new
opportunities and developed celebration
events to reward young volunteers for
their hard work. Most recently they have
developed a short fi lm to promote the
benefi ts of young volunteers to community
organisations: plotting it, writing it and
starring in it.
Volunteering is really fl exible and you
choose how much time you can give, what
sort of volunteering you want to do and
where you do it. It gives you the chance to
develop new skills that could help you get
a job or get into university. It’s a chance
to meet new people, try new things, have
fun and make a big difference to your
community!
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Be a volunteer forvinvolved Sefton
Whether you want to volunteer regularly
or just try it as a one-off there are
opportunities out there for you, and once
you are registered with vinvolved Sefton
you will be kept informed of new ways
of volunteer roles as and when they are
developed.
If you are aged 16-25 and interested
in fi nding out more about volunteering
then contact Alicia St. Hilaire, Youth Volunteer Advisor, on 0151 920 0726 ext 207 or [email protected]
If you are an organisation who wants to
recruit more volunteers or needs support
in engaging volunteers for the fi rst time
then contact Mike Howlett, Youth Volunteer Development Manager, on 0151 920 0726 ext 321 or [email protected]
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For more information contact
Eileen T. Snow at:West Lancs Council for Voluntary ServicesVolunteer CentreThe Ecumenical CentreNorthway, Skelmersdale WN8 6LU01695 733737 • 07903 312315Email: [email protected]: www.wlcvs.orgRegistered Charity No: 1039563Registered Company No: 2940823
ENGAGE inVOLUNTEERIING
ENGAGE in Volunteering is a project run inpartnership with Moving On Lancashire andWest Lancs Council for Voluntary Services -Volunteer Centre. The project aims tosupport people who have had or still have: • Low confidence/self esteem • Feeling of isolation from society and friends • Low mood • Been unemployed for a long time • Feelings of vulnerability • Periods of anxiety
ENGAGE in Volunteering offers • Advice • Guidance • Training • Support • Mentoring • One to one support
Moving On LancashireIn partnership with WLCVSVolunteer Centre
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ServicesThe CVS offers a range of services to help you set up, organise and run your group.
Volunteer CentreThe Volunteer Centre can help you become a volunteer, and help organisations recruit volunteers.
Our main activities are:• Providing information and support to voluntary organisations• Helping local people to set up and develop voluntary and community groups, and network with other organisations• Representing voluntary and community groups to statutory and other organisations, and partnerships
We are democratically accountable to the voluntary sector through a membership of over 300 groups. To fi nd out more about your group becoming a member of the CVS, please contact us on 01695 733 737 or visit our website
For Information on volunteering please call
01695 733 737or visit our website www.wlcvs.orgOur registered charity number is 1039563.We are also a company limited by guarantee- registration no: 2940823.
West Lancashire Council for
Voluntary Service is a charity,
set up in 1973, and is the key
umbrella group for voluntary
and community groups in
West Lancashire.
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Christmas
Your guide to making the fi nest festive season for your familyincluding details of useful local companies and services
PLANNERChristmas
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Your guide to local services for your outdoor living spaceincluding a special month-by-month guide of things to do
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Informative,Relevant, Focused
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The Community Foundations for Merseyside and Lancashire are strategic grant-making organisations, encouraging philanthropy to build stronger communities.
If you are interested helping local communities and enhancing your own skills through events, marketing, grant-making and offi ce admin please visit our websites for more information.
www.cfmerseyside.org.ukwww.lancsfoundation.org.uk
West Lancs MS Societylocal branch meetings
Ormskirk Cottage Lane Mission, Ormskirk
1st Saturday of each month, 2.00pm - 4.00pmContact Martin 01695 575340 or Ann 01695 576980
email [email protected]
Every Tuesday YOGA11-12, Church House, Ormskirk
Mere BrowMere Brow, Village Hall, Marshes Lane,
Tarleton2nd Monday of each month, 10am - 12am
SkelmersdaleB.D.S Training, 31 Greenhay Place, Gillibrands
3rd Saturday of each month 2.00pm - 4.00pmContact Steve Mason 07766143046
Call in for a chat, coffee, andsample alternative therapies
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MS West Lancs
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VOLUNTEERS WANTED
To support your local hospice.If you have a few hoursto spare and would like
to know more aboutour current
volunteer vacanciesPlease contact us on01704 544645or visit our website
www.queenscourthospice.org.uk
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Be a volunteer forPromoting Sefton
Promoting Sefton is an Events Volunteering project which offers many opportunities with Sefton’s extensive programme of Tourism Events throughout the year.
These include the Southport Food
& Drink Festival, Summer Classics,
Southport Air Show, British Musical
Fireworks Championships and various
other Sefton community events.
Whatever you’re interested in there
really is something for everyone – from
marketing and publicity, customer service
and hospitality, stewarding and crowd
safety, leafl eting and market research to
providing opportunities tailored to your
specifi c needs.
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As long as you’re 16 and over, whether
you’re currently in higher education, in
work, out of work or retired it doesn’t
matter. The great thing about Promoting
Sefton is that it’s fl exible – you can choose
which events you would like to volunteer
at and how much time you can give.
You get full support from the Volunteer
Co-ordinator plus a comprehensive
induction and training programme prior
to each event. This prepares you for your
volunteering activities and also gives you
the chance to meet the other volunteers.
You will also receive certifi cates for the
number of hours you volunteer which are
recognised by colleges and employers.
All travel and refreshment expenses are
provided for each event.
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Be a volunteer forPromoting Sefton
It really doesn’t matter what skills or
past experience you have, or haven’t
got, as long as you’re friendly and
approachable. Volunteering is a great way
to gain transferrable skills, build up your
confi dence, show potential employers that
you have drive and motivation, improve
your CV and develop yourself. So if
you’re looking to do something positive,
experience new things, make new friends
and have lots of fun, then becoming a
Promoting Sefton volunteer is a great way
to do it!
If you are interested in fi nding out more
details about the Promoting Sefton Project
or event volunteering opportunities that
are available please contact Ang Lucas on 01704 501024 (ext 249) or email [email protected]
Some of the feedback from Promoting
Sefton Volunteers includes:
“I really enjoyed working with Angela
and the other volunteers, we have great
team spirit. I look forward to volunteering
at other events in 2011.”
“Volunteering with Promoting Sefton
has helped me to look at myself regarding
both my work and social needs and has
helped me gain my confi dence back in
areas I needed to. Thank you.”
“I think volunteering with Promoting
Sefton is a good opportunity to meet new
people, contribute to the community and
also have a bit of fun!”
“My children are happy and proud to
see that their mum is volunteering in the
community and I feel I am setting them a
good example with regards to work ethos
and motivation.”
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Why volunteer?Volunteering can give you many benefits:
• Use your free time in an enjoyable and positive way • Share your interests, knowledge and experience • Explore career options or a career change • Learn new skills and gain valuable experience for work or further education • Get involved in your community and gain a sense of achievement • Meet new people and gain references for future jobs
What can I do?Give some thought to what you like doing or what you would like to learn. Volunteering is about choice. Our database of opportunities may help you to decide www.go-it.org. Register your details online or call us to requesta form to be sent in the post.
One to One Advice SessionsIf you are still unsure and would like some support and guidance, why not take advantage of our one-to-one information sessions?
We offer the opportunity for you to talk to an experienced advisor who can answer your questions. These are informal and can be arranged at a time to suit you.
To book an appointment call us on... 0151 920 0726or visit our website www.volunteeringsefton.org.uk 10
9340
4
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We are the national charity giving free and confidential help to victims and witnesses of crime across England and Wales, and their family, friends and anyone else affected. We also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change.
We are not a government agency or part of the police and you don’t have to report a crime to get our help. You can call us any time after the crime has happened, whether it was yesterday, last week or several years ago.
Victim Support’s specially trained volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity, giving emotional support and practical help to victims and witnesses of crime. Our volunteers help restore a victim’s confidence so that they can find the strength to move on with their lives.
Every year Victim Support helps over 1.5million people to overcome the effects of crime and it is thanks to our invaluable network of volunteers that we are able to do so.
Our organisation works hard to make sure that every victim is given the help and support they need, in a way that suits them. But to do this we need more volunteers with the time and passion to help people in the aftermath of crime. As a Victim Support volunteer you will be trained in how to support someone from their initial meeting with you until they no longer need it. You’ll listen to their concerns and potentially deal with other agencies on their behalf to make sure that their needs are met.
Volunteering for Victim Support is extremely rewarding. Besides the satisfaction of
We are Victim Support.We help people findthe strength to continueafter a crime.
supporting victims, volunteers develop essential skills through ongoing training, support and supervision. You do not need any specific skills or experience to become a volunteer, and at the moment, people can take advantage of new opportunities to volunteer in fundraising and administration support.
Volunteers can also learn more about crime, criminal justice and the legal system. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people, and Victim Support pays expenses so it doesn’t cost anything to volunteer.
Lloyd, a community and fundraising volunteer in Preston says: “Volunteering at Victim Support compliments the career path I’ve chosen in health psychology and I find it incredibly rewarding to offer emotional support to people who don’t always have the social support networks they need.”.
If you would like to find out more about our services, or the waysin which you can become involved with the work we do in all communities across Lancashire & Cumbria please contact Aanika Dhillon on 01772 201 142 or [email protected].
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 27
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InnoV8 is a peer mentoring project for young people aged 16 – 25yrs, based in Sefton.
The project makes volunteering more
accessible to young people who identify
themselves has having extra support needs.
The extra support needs could range from a
physical disability, a learning diffi culty or low
self-esteem / low self confi dence.
The project recruits and trains young
mentors also aged 16-25 to enable them to
support other young people (mentees) to
develop their self-confi dence/self-esteem,
hard and soft skills. The training is BTEC
level 2 accredited.
Once trained and CRB checked, the
mentor will be matched up with their mentee
and they will work on a one-to-one basis
towards personal action plans. Action plans
often include goals such as; enrolling in
college, building confi dence to travel alone,
building confi dence to socialise with new
people, support with writing a CV or just
simply to have someone to talk to.
We are at present looking for mentors
and mentees to enrol on the project. If
you are interested, or would like anymore
information, please feel free to contact the
project: Marie Morgan Project Manager 01704 501 024 ext 206 [email protected] or Katie Johnson Development worker 01704 501 024 ext 212 / 07757 594 449 [email protected].
www.volunteeringsefton.org.uk/innov8
Be a volunteer forInnoV8
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 29
1093
479
Birchwood Centre is a charitable organisation (Registered as West Lancashire Crisis and Information Centre - Charity No: 1064270)
and has been in operation for 30 years. It is managed by a board of trustees.
A place to live and grow Referrals Young people are referred to the Centre from a variety of agencies including Social Services, Young Peoples Services, Probation, Police, Housing Department etc. A significant number of referrals are self referrals, whereby young people present themselves at the Centre.
Before coming to live at the Centre, everyone will visit and go through an admissions procedure to decide whether a place at the Centre is suitable.
Contact us If you need any further information or are interested in making a referral, please contact us at:
BirchwoodCrisis Centre
Birchwood Centre, 64 Heversham,Birchgreen, Skelmersdale WN8 6QQTel: 01695 728391 / 01695 717115Fax: 01695 728391 / 01695 717115
The Birchwood Centre provides supported accommodation for young, single homeless people aged 16 - 25 years of age.
We support young people:
• To develop independent living skills • To develop personally and socially • To work through the issues they face in moving to a
place of their own • Through providing advice on housing, welfare
benefits, learning and employment options, and lots more. The Centre is supported by Big Lottery funding to
deliver the Building Lives project, which actively encourages volunteering. The programme enhances young people’s chances of success in all aspects of their lives and the role of volunteers is crucial in making this happen.
If you can help the centre in any way and have skills in: Information Technology, computers • Sports and leisure • Arts and Craft • Cookery • Gardening • DIY • Drama
and Dance • Mentoring • Fund raisingGemma a volunteer at the Centre supported young people in healthy living by looking at their lifestyles, accompanying them to the gym and helping them to make healthier choices in their every day lives. She said ‘Volunteering at the Centre was great, I got so much out of it. It was really interesting and very satisfying knowing that you were making a difference to a young person’s life. It developed my skills and experience and made me realise just how much I had to offer.’
Please contact Barbara Mooney at the Centre to arrange an informal meeting.
Young people can live at the Centre for anything between3 months and two years, depending on the help they need.Young people move on from the Centre into homes of their own
THE BIRCHWOOD CENTRE(Formerly West Lancs Crisis Centre)THE BIRCHWOOD CENTRE(Formerly West Lancs Crisis Centre)
Birchwood Crisis Centre
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1093
479
Birchwood Centre is a charitable organisation (Registered as West Lancashire Crisis and Information Centre - Charity No: 1064270)
and has been in operation for 30 years. It is managed by a board of trustees.
A place to live and grow Referrals Young people are referred to the Centre from a variety of agencies including Social Services, Young Peoples Services, Probation, Police, Housing Department etc. A significant number of referrals are self referrals, whereby young people present themselves at the Centre.
Before coming to live at the Centre, everyone will visit and go through an admissions procedure to decide whether a place at the Centre is suitable.
Contact us If you need any further information or are interested in making a referral, please contact us at:
BirchwoodCrisis Centre
Birchwood Centre, 64 Heversham,Birchgreen, Skelmersdale WN8 6QQTel: 01695 728391 / 01695 717115Fax: 01695 728391 / 01695 717115
The Birchwood Centre provides supported accommodation for young, single homeless people aged 16 - 25 years of age.
We support young people:
• To develop independent living skills • To develop personally and socially • To work through the issues they face in moving to a
place of their own • Through providing advice on housing, welfare
benefits, learning and employment options, and lots more. The Centre is supported by Big Lottery funding to
deliver the Building Lives project, which actively encourages volunteering. The programme enhances young people’s chances of success in all aspects of their lives and the role of volunteers is crucial in making this happen.
If you can help the centre in any way and have skills in: Information Technology, computers • Sports and leisure • Arts and Craft • Cookery • Gardening • DIY • Drama
and Dance • Mentoring • Fund raisingGemma a volunteer at the Centre supported young people in healthy living by looking at their lifestyles, accompanying them to the gym and helping them to make healthier choices in their every day lives. She said ‘Volunteering at the Centre was great, I got so much out of it. It was really interesting and very satisfying knowing that you were making a difference to a young person’s life. It developed my skills and experience and made me realise just how much I had to offer.’
Please contact Barbara Mooney at the Centre to arrange an informal meeting.
Young people can live at the Centre for anything between3 months and two years, depending on the help they need.Young people move on from the Centre into homes of their own
THE BIRCHWOOD CENTRE(Formerly West Lancs Crisis Centre)THE BIRCHWOOD CENTRE(Formerly West Lancs Crisis Centre)
Birchwood Crisis Centre
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The Volunteer Centre is a service provided by the West Lancashire Council for Voluntary Service set up to support both volunteers and organisations who use volunteers.
The Volunteer Centre can help your
organisation by:
• recruiting volunteers for you
• advertising your volunteer opportunities
• uploading your opportunities onto
do-it.org.uk
• developing good practice in
volunteering
• providing ongoing support, advice and
information on volunteering issues
• including your volunteers in the
certifi cate scheme and assisting with
the preparation of their role
descriptions
• providing training
Volunteers of all ages contact the
Volunteer Centre. They actively recruit
volunteers by promoting local volunteering
opportunities and the benefi ts of
volunteering. Volunteers are offered an
informal interview then their skills and
interests are matched to the voluntary
opportunities available.
Certifi cate Award SchemeOrganisations can join the Certifi cate
Award Scheme which involves volunteers
doing 100/200 hours voluntary work,
working to a role description prepared by
the organisation.
On completion of 100/200 hours, they are
presented with a certifi cate at the Annual
Volunteers Awards evening.
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ENGAGE in Volunteering ProjectENGAGE in Volunteering is a project run
in partnership with Moving On Lancashire
and West Lancs Council for Voluntary
Services - Volunteer Centre.
The project aims to support people who
have had or still have:
• Low confi dence/self esteem
• Feeling of isolation from society and
friends
• Low mood
• Been unemployed for a long time
• Feelings of vulnerability
• Periods of anxiety
The project will support individuals
into volunteering very gently. It will offer
training and 1:1 support into appropriate
volunteering opportunities to enable people
to enjoy a more social active life style.
ENGAGE in Volunteering offers:
• Advice
• Guidance
• Training
• Support
• Mentoring
• One to one support
For more information please contact Eileen Snow on 01695 733737.
Volunteers CelebratedOn Tuesday 1st June 2010 the Volunteer
Centre held its Annual Volunteer Awards
Ceremony.
The Mayor of West Lancashire Borough
Council presented certifi cates to 37
volunteers who had completed 100 hours
and 200 hours voluntary work.
“The event celebrated the huge volunteer
commitment within West Lancashire.
Be a volunteer forThe Volunteer Centre West Lancashire
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 33
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“We would like to express a huge
thank you to all our volunteers for their
invaluable contribution they provide to the
organisations throughout West Lancashire.”
Jan Howard, Volunteering Development
Offi cer, West Lancs CVS.
1st – 7th June is National Volunteers’
Week which aims to recognise and reward
the valuable work that volunteers contribute
to the community. It is an annual event
which celebrates the fantastic contribution
that millions of volunteers make across the
UK. The Week plays a huge part in raising
the profi le of the millions of volunteers
who regularly contribute to society, while
inspiring others to get involved too. In
2008/09 71% of adults volunteered in some
way with 47% volunteering at least once a
month (2008/09 DCLG Citizenship Survey).
Volunteer Market DaysThe Volunteer Centre regularly holds
‘Volunteer Market Days’ throughout
West Lancashire. Organisations that use
volunteers are invited to come along with a
display to promote themselves to potential
volunteers. The events are publicised
far and wide to the general public who
may wish to volunteer. The events are
also a good opportunity to meet other
organisations, share good practices and
participate in information sessions on topics
such as
• Volunteer recruitment
• Funding, legislation and training
• Young volunteering – creating more
appealing roles
• Engaging local employers
West Lancashire Volunteering Forum
The West Lancashire Volunteering
Forum is made of up of local volunteering
infrastructure organisations in order
to produce and deliver a Volunteering
Development Action Plan.
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One of the Forum’s aims is to encourage
and support increased participation in
volunteering across West Lancashire.
The forum also aims to
• Ensure Equality, inclusion and diversity
in volunteering
• Improve communication
• Share best practice
• Minimise duplication
• Co-ordinate research in West
Lancashire
• Promote and seek ways of maintaining
its own sustainability
• Promote partnership involvement within
West Lancashire
• Recognise the path that volunteering
has through training to lead to
employment.
TrainingWest Lancs CVS runs training around
volunteering issues and is looking to
develop a training programme from
September 2010 for both volunteers, for
example, First Aid and Health & Safety at
Work, and for organisations, covering topics
such as motivating and retaining volunteers.
Please contact Greg Swift on 01695 733737.
What are the opportunities? Here are a few examples on what you can
be involved with….
Young People Make That Difference.
The role of the volunteer is to provide an
‘extra pair of hands’ within a local pre school
setting that promotes the inclusion of 0-5
year olds with additional needs.
Support - Befriending & Mentoring (Social Care) Our volunteers support
socially isolated adults within their local
community, working with Older People,
Carers, people with Learning Disabilities,
Physical Disabilities, Mental Health
needs, Sensory Impairment: befriending
a vulnerable adult at home or supporting
someone to become an active member of
their community.
Advice To answer telephone, train to
advise clients on Direct Payments, keep and
update clients records. Hours= 10 - 12, or
2 - 4 Monday to Friday.
Food Preparation - Catering Assistant We need people to run a kiosk serving
drinks and snacks and to provide
information to the public about the centre.
Ideally we are looking for somebody who
will be able to deal both with the public and
with taking money and who may be happy
to take responsibility for running kiosk as
part of a team at weekends and during
holidays.
Food Preparation - Cafe Assistant Assisting at local cafe; serving drinks and
refreshments, clearing tables and washing up.
Practical Skills – Gardener Mature
fl ower beds need tending and pruning
regularly.
Practical Skills - Member Forum Event Assistant Warm and friendly? Empathetic
and outgoing? Flexible and helpful?
If any of the above describes you, here’s
a chance to put your brilliant personal
qualities into action.
Help blind and partially sighted
participants get the best out of our member
forum events by providing a friendly,
welcoming and comfortable place to meet
and share experiences. Our lively team of
event assistants has a space just for you!
Want to fi nd out more? If you would like to fi nd out more about
volunteering and how the Volunteer Centre
can help your organisation please contact
the West Lancs Volunteer Centre at West Lancs CVS on 01695 733737 or see the CVS website - (www.wlcvs.org).
Be a volunteer forThe Volunteer Centre West Lancs
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 35
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The magistracy of today embraces people from all walks of life who are appointed in an open and transparent way, on the basis not of who they are, but on what they can bring to Bench.
Of little or no consequences are a
persons origins or occupations, what
candidates have to demonstrate is a
number of qualities which include among
others sound judgement, the ability to weigh
arguments, a genuine social awareness and
the ability to work as a member of a team.
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Legal knowledge is not important and
training very comprehensively deals with
powers and procedures.
So what can a candidate duly appointed,
trained and sworn in expect to fi nd on
arriving at court – in short anything and
everything – from someone drunk in the
street or not having paid a parking fi ne to
the most serious of offences.
Murder, arson, rape all start off in the
Magistrates Court but are clearly very
quickly transferred to the Crown Court.
Decisions taken in the course of a morning
may well involve, in the Criminal Court,
depriving someone of their liberty for a
period of up to 6 months or in the Family
Court removing a child from his or her
parents.
Whether to allow bail to a defendant
denying an offence or to remand in custody
are diffi cult yet frequent issues on which
magistrates are called on to adjudicate. In
the course of an hour and a half at Court,
for example, Magistrates have dealt with a
person receiving stolen property (namely
a conservatory!!), a person urinating in
a public place and between the two, a
defendant charged with an assault on a
partner who then went on to murder her.
Applications for search warrants
where offences are suspected have to be
investigated by a magistrate before being
granted as do warrants for arrest.
What sort of people are you likely to see
in the dock – again anyone and everyone
- from the person with a blameless life
who has made a mistake to those of this
world whose life is typifi ed by criminality,
from people who deserve a second chance
to those who clearly forfeited their right
to liberty, all appear day in day out in the
courts of the county before magistrates.
Magistrates will tell you that in a perverse
way they enjoy their role as a genuine
expression of community service. It can be
immensely satisfying in knowing that you
have done right by a victim or by society’s
expectations and there is also room for
some humour.
People should remember however that
courts are public buildings and members
of the public have the right to observe
proceedings (with certain exceptions). There
is no better way to fi nd out how magistrates
operate than to go and spend a morning,
or longer, in your local Magistrates Court.
Anyone who has been will tell you what a
fascinating experience it is – it is your right,
exercise it.
Lancashire Magistrates Advisory
Committee welcome applications which
can be obtained online at www.direct.gov.uk/magistrates or for further information
contact 01772 272834.
A day in the lifeof a magistrate
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 37
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As the largest charity working with older people across the area, Age Concern Liverpool and Sefton provides support, practical assistance and friendship to thousands of elders each year.
They do this by offering expert advice and
guidance, arranging active living sessions to
improve health and well-being and hosting
one to one classes on using the internet and
escorting people on a weekly outing to a
social club.
Redundancy and the recession have
made it hard for people to get back into
the job market and volunteering can be a
step in the right direction. Ann’s voluntary
work with Age Concern Liverpool and
Sefton led to a career change. She says: “I
decided to do something with my days off
from my part time job. Volunteering gave
me a feeling of making a difference to the
clients I dealt with. They looked forward to
seeing me each week, and apart from a
good chat, I was helping in a practical way.
She continues, “After leaving my job for a
full time position in a call centre - a job I
hated - I spotted an ad in the local paper for
this post. I jumped at the opportunity and
applied. It was the best thing I ever did.”
Young people hoping for their fi rst job
often fi nd that volunteering provides the
vital experience they need to get their foot
on the ladder as Ellie, who volunteered with
Age Concern Liverpool and Sefton during
her summer holidays, discovered: “I had my
fi rst taste of work, discovered new skills and
worked with some great people.
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“I know the experience has helped me
to fi nd a job during my gap year and has
shown me that I would defi nitely like to work
with people when I graduate.”
Just a few hours a week can make a vast
difference and with training and ongoing
support Age Concern Liverpool and Sefton
ensures that volunteers can make the most
of the opportunity.
Volunteers are always needed to help
the charity to reach out and support many
more older people as drivers, befrienders,
volunteer counsellors, walk and cycle
leaders.
There are also administrative and
fundraising roles for people with different
interests and skills.
To take the fi rst step to volunteering and
contact us on 0800 002 9006
Be a volunteer forAge Concern
MY VOLUNTEERING GUIDE 39
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1093222
Southport Samaritans32 Union Street, Southport PR9 OQE
01704 538 038
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