A SELECTION OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN THE HAMBLETON AREA Volunteering Hambleton Community House 10 South Parade Northallerton DL7 8SE

Volunteer Centre Stokesley First Floor Town Close North Road Stokesley TS9 5DH

Tel.

Tel.

01609 780458

01642 710085

[email protected]

[email protected]

Web:

Web:

www.ndvsa.co.uk

www.stokesleycca.org.uk

@VolHambleton Volunteering Hambleton & Volunteer Centre Stokesley Volunteering Hambleton is a service provided by Northallerton & District Voluntary Service Association

Index Page No. Volunteering Hambleton

2

Thinking of Volunteering?

3

Retail & Fundraising

4-5

Health & Social Care

6-8

Advice, Support & Counselling

9 - 11

Conservation & Heritage

12 - 13

Animals & Wildlife

14

Children & Young People

15

Information Services

16 - 17

Culture & Sport

18

Administration & Office

19

Computing / Technology

20

Home-based Volunteering & Micro Volunteering

21

Information Request Form

22

Contacts

23

1

Volunteering Hambleton If you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer in the Hambleton area of North Yorkshire why not get in touch with Volunteering Hambleton. As part of a national network of volunteer centres we can help you find volunteering that is right for you. From an office base in Northallerton and ‘Charlie’ our pop up volunteer caravan, we work in partnership with Volunteer Centre Stokesley, to offer support and advice about volunteering. We have details of a wide range of different roles available in Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Easingwold, Bedale and villages. We can put you in touch with local charities, community groups, statutory and public sector organisations looking for voluntary help. IF YOU ARE AN ORGANISATION THAT INVOLVES VOLUNTEERS OR WOULD LIKE TO We can offer a range of advice and support services from help with development and promotion of your opportunities to provision of quality training and information resources designed to develop and embed good practice in all areas of your organisation’s volunteer support and management. IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS SEEKING TO DEVELOP YOUR EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING Many companies now realise that encouraging their employees to volunteer is good for business, for team members and for the community. We can help you identify how you and your employees can get involved. We seek to promote more and better volunteering for all.

2

Thinking of Volunteering? Volunteering is a great way to:          

Update your CV Make a difference to yourself and others in your community Use existing or develop new skills Gain experience and qualifications Build confidence Meet new people Have fun Enhance and add value to services Feel valued and appreciated Do good and feel good

Volunteering can be a micro, home based, occasional, regular, one-off, short or a longer term commitment. Volunteering can be flexible. Depending on your interests, time and skills there are many different roles available to you. This booklet outlines some for the volunteering roles that are available in the local area. Opportunities showing * usually require a volunteer to have a DBS check (used to be called a CRB check) and provide contact details for 2 referees. A DBS check is usually organised and paid for by the host organisation. You can also find further details on www.do-it.org

3

RETAIL AND FUNDRAISING

CHARITY SHOP HELPER The Hambleton market towns of Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Easingwold and Bedale have a range of charity shops. These shops are nearly always looking for volunteers to help with a variety of roles from sorting and pricing clothes, books, music, accessories and homeware, to steaming clothes, helping with window displays and serving customers. Time commitments vary. Shops also look for drivers to collect and deliver goods including collection bags. Helping in a charity shop is a great way to gain retail experience or show your support for a particular cause. Many shops are able to take volunteers aged from 14+. Additionally some shops offer volunteer discounts and an opportunity to gain retail based National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

4

FUNDRAISER Most local charities and community groups seek volunteers to help them with their fundraising activities. At Volunteering Hambleton we regularly receive requests for individuals or groups of volunteers who can help with supermarket bag packs, street and bucket collections, coffee mornings, distributing, collecting and banking fundraising boxes, arranging and helping at fundraising and social events including balls, exhibitions and car boot sales. Organisations also seek volunteers who can research and help them to develop and write funding applications. For the more adventurous, many of the larger national charities offer opportunities to take part in sponsored walks, cycle rides, parachute jumps, building abseils, treks or residencies in foreign countries. Groups also look for people to help them raise awareness of their work, promote their fundraising activities and co-ordinate individual’s sponsored involvement in specific pre-organised events such as the Great North Run. Time commitments can vary from a few hours here and there to whole days, weekends and more. Raising valuable funds, often as part of a team is a great way to meet new people (and, as the name suggests have fun!)

5

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

If you have a couple of hours to spare and would like to make a real difference to someone’s life, including your own, you may like to consider becoming a:

COMMUNITY VISITOR / BEFRIENDER * A number of local organisations are looking for people to provide companionship and support for lonely, socially isolated, disabled or elderly people in their own home. Time commitment is usually a regular 1 – 2 hours every week. Full induction and training are usually provided.

RESPITE SITTER * NDVSA, Herriot Hospice & the Community Care Associations in Stokesley, Thirsk and Easingwold are looking for volunteers to sit with a dependant or friend so their carer can have a well-earned break for two or three hours.

TELEPHONE BEFRIENDER * Age UK are looking for people who can provide a friendly, listening ear for people in North Yorkshire who may be socially or geographically isolated. Telephone befrienders help keep people in touch by calling them regularly for a chat. A code is given to be used before a call so there is no cost to a volunteer.

6

ACTIVITIES SUPPORTER * helping alongside staff and other volunteers, assisting with activities, or in a day care centre, usually involves talking, listening and supporting people, serving refreshments and joining in social activities such as outings, bingo and quizzes etc. Sessions are usually held on regular days each week/month. Could you help support adults with learning disabilities, visual impairments, dementia or those with additional needs?

LUNCH CLUB / KITCHEN HELPER

This usually involves preparing and serving a cooked meal whilst chatting to people. Time commitment is usually on a rota.

MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY DRIVER *

Drivers are needed in Thirsk and Bedale to collect meals and deliver them to clients on a rota. All mileage expenses are usually met but drivers need their own vehicle and insurance.

HOME FROM HOSPITAL HELPER * Age UK are looking for people provide practical and emotional short term support for people after they’ve returned home from hospital to help them get back into a normal routine and regain their independence. The role can involve liaising with hospital staff, assessing how the patient is coping, helping with essential light household chores, making drinks/light snacks, collecting prescriptions and shopping.

HOSPITAL HELPER * Local Hospitals often seek volunteers to support hospital staff in the care and wellbeing of patients. Roles can range from helping at meal times to providing therapeutic care. There are also opportunities for helpers at the Friarage in the hospital shop, escorting on the wards and to helping with the trolley service.

7

HAMBLETON FOOD SHARE HELPER

A food share

scheme was set up in Northallerton to provide emergency food for people in temporary financial crisis and support customers with identified issues. The service is provided on a Monday evening in the Zion Church 4 – 7pm, they are looking for volunteers to help collect, prepare and deliver food bags and talk to people using the service. The Hambleton Food Share Group also run a lunch club based at the Zion Church every Wednesday 11-2 pm. The club offers homemade soup and a roll and a range of support services. They are seeking volunteers to assist with food preparation, serving, washing up and interacting with the customers.

VOLUNTEER DRIVER * Community Car Schemes across Hambleton are looking for drivers who can help transport and assist people who find it difficult to access public transport due to age or disability. An allowance (usually in the region of 45p per mile) is paid to cover mileage expenses

MINI BUS DRIVER/PASSENGER ASSISTANTS * If you enjoy driving and meeting people this could be the role for you! Volunteers help with the transportation of passengers and take groups on day trips. MIDAS certificates are required for drivers for which free training is usually provided. Some care homes and community groups also look for volunteer chaperones to help them take their residents for trips out.

8

ADVICE, SUPPORT & COUNSELLING

TRUSTEE/COMMITTEE MEMBER

Local groups often look for people to join their Management Committee as Chair, Treasurer, Secretary or General Trustee Members. Volunteering Hambleton can put you in touch with groups and provide details of the skills, knowledge and experience they are looking for. Volunteers are also needed to help review group’s policies and procedures and make recommendations.

ADVOCATE * Hambleton and Richmondshire Advocacy seek volunteers who can help people in the community, with a variety of needs, say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain the services they need. Full (accredited) training and on-going support is provided. COMMUNITY CHAMPION/PUBLIC SPEAKER

Many

charities are looking for people who can act as Community Champions to profile their work in a variety of different community settings. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and gain confidence in talking to groups of people.

9

LISTENING & SUPPORT VOLUNTEER * Could you be available to answer calls and respond to emails from people who are vulnerable, depressed or in emotional distress. A “Samaritan Volunteer” can make a difference. Or could you offer independent, confidential, and impartial advice on subjects including debts, benefits, housing, and immigration. You don’t need to be a legal expert, just willing to learn new. Full training and on-going support is provided. A great opportunity if you want to develop work related skills.

APPROPRIATE ADULT/ YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICE VOLUNTEER * Volunteers are often required who are aged 18+ to support young people aged 10 – 17 who have been arrested and detained by the police or who can support their work in preventing re-offending by young people.

WORK PROGRAMME MENTOR * Be a key link and work in partnership with a skills trainer to support vulnerable young people aged 18 – 24 moving into employment, many for the first time, and without existing support. Extensive training and support is given.

VOLUNTEER HOST * Support young people in North Yorkshire who are homeless, or potentially homeless, by providing a safe place to stay. A young person stays for one night at a time with volunteers. Stays are arranged on a nightly basis.

10

YOUNG PERSONS SUPPORT VOLUNTEER * Do you have an interest in working with children and young people and want to gain some experience or use your skills to support young people. If you have energy, commitment and the knack of communicating with young people this is a great way to accompany the specialist teams at Hambleton & Richmondshire Carers and Mental Health Support.

POLICE SUPPORT VOLUNTEER * North Yorkshire Police have developed a programme to fully involve volunteers with the work of the Police. Roles include Community Safety Volunteers, Survey Team Members, Volunteer Team Leaders, Front Counter Volunteers and Drivers. The Office of the Police Crime Commissioner sometimes also have roles.

CIRCLE MEMBER * Carefully selected and trained volunteers meet as a circle of 4 – 6 people working in partnership with criminal justices agencies to support ex-sex offenders. Meetings are initially held on a weekly basis as a group with the core member and a Circle usually lasts for about a year.

11

CONSERVATION & HERITAGE

RECYCLING

Are you passionate about environmental issues and eager to reduce waste? North Yorkshire Rotters are looking for Community Engagement Volunteers to work in schools, at agricultural shows, community fairs and events giving talks to people about composting and recycling on a 1:1 basis and small groups.

WALK LEADERS

Leaders and Young Walk Leaders are needed to lead, plan and assess walks in all Hambleton towns. The walks are aimed at people who have not walked before or are coming back to walking after illness. Most of the walks start from a doctors surgery or a leisure centre. The time commitment is usually a minimum of 2 to 3 hours a month or more if you have time available.

COUNTRYSIDE VOLUNTEER

Committed volunteers are needed to undertake activities led by Rangers, helping out with a range of practical tasks such as fencing, pond and ground clearance.

12

CONSERVATION / HERITAGE VOLUNTEER …. If you have an interest in historic buildings, gardens, woodland, nature reserves and parkland conservation, the National Trust & English Heritage often have opportunities to help maintain their diverse range of properties and extensive grounds. Volunteer roles are extremely varied and usually seasonal. Our local nature reserves also seek volunteers to help with their day to day maintenance.

VISIT WOODLANDS

Do you have the time to visit your local woodlands? Volunteers are required to capture what makes each wood special in words, photos and symbols, share their knowledge.

RAILWAY VOLUNTEERS

Wensleydale Railway offer a wide range of volunteer roles from helping with track maintenance, carriage valets, office administration and event organising to serving customers on the trains and in the information kiosk.

MUSEUM ASSISTANT

Do you have an interest in local history or just like meeting people? Our local museums are seeking volunteers who can welcome visitors and give information about what is on view. There are also roles available for people to help behind the scenes. This volunteering is often seasonal from April – end of summer.

13

ANIMALS & WILDLIFE

RESCUE CENTRES

The RSPCA Centre at Great Ayton, the Blue Cross & Jerry Green near Thirsk and Dogs Trust in Darlington are all within travelling distance of the Hambleton area and they are often looking for volunteers to help look after the animals, fundraise and raising the profile of the charity. Opportunities available include Dog Walking, Grooming, Feeding, Dog Behaviour, Story Time, Play Time, Meet & Match, Administration and Home Checking.

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED Riding for the Disabled Groups are looking for volunteers to lead or walk beside a pony helping the rider to respond to instructions. Volunteers are needed to assist riders in their lessons by leading or side walking and to help with general stable yard work. Sessions are usually term time and Saturdays and last for an hour or two. ANIMAL FOSTER CARERS

Local groups are seeking people to provide a temporary home for rescued animals, particularly cats.

DOG WALKERS

Charities occasionally look for people in the local area to help keep frail or ill pet owners and their pets together. They match up volunteers with the elderly or the terminally ill who need assistance with tasks such as dog walking or cleaning cages. 14

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

YOUTH BUDDY * Life can be a lonely path for some young people. North Yorkshire Youth are looking people to provide one-to-one support for 16 – 19 years olds in the Hambleton area in need of additional support. By volunteering to befriend someone for as little as an hour a week you can help them to make better choices in life.

YOUTH WORK HELPER * Volunteers are needed to provide general supervision and support for young people aged 11 – 19 at regular weekly sessions in youth centres across Hambleton.

DELIVERER OF TALKS IN SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES * A number of organisations are seeking volunteers to deliver presentations and interactive workshops to primary school aged children. All materials are usually provided and volunteers are given regular training and support.

SCOUTS / GUIDES

Rewarding and challenging roles are sometimes available within the local Scout and Guide groups.

CARERS SUPPORT

Could you volunteer to sit with a child with special needs? Thirsk Carers Support are looking for volunteers to help across the area.

15

INFORMATION SERVICES

TOURIST INFORMATION ADVISER

Hambleton Tourist Information Centres are seeking volunteers to help maintain their seasonal service to visitors and the local population. A great way to meet people and enthuse about the lovely area we live in! North Yorkshire Libraries are looking for volunteers to help them develop and deliver a range of services. Current Volunteer opportunities include:

HOME LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE Volunteers are needed to deliver books, audio books and information to people who can’t access the Library because of illness or disability. Time commitment is usually 2 hours a fortnight on a regular basis. SELECTION & RETURN

In this role volunteers work alongside library staff to choose appropriate library books and other materials for people who use the home library and information service (HLIS).

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CHAMPION

During the summer month’s libraries often look for enthusiastic young people to encourage and support children with their Summer Reading Challenge.

16

CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES

Volunteers help children get the most from the range of resources available. You could get involved with Storytelling to groups of children and their parents or carers and assist with, or lead craft activities for children.

LIBRARY EVENT HOST

Local studies volunteers work alongside library staff providing customers with additional assistance in family history and help the library service promote and develop interest in local studies.

READING GROUP HOST

Work alongside library staff to help both newcomers and current users get the most from the range of resources available at the library and facilitate discussion about the books read.

IT SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

North Yorkshire Libraries are looking for volunteers who can help people develop their computer skills and assist library staff in supporting users attending IT taster sessions.

17

CULTURE & SPORT EVENT HELPER There is always a range of one off events and festivals requiring volunteers to help, either in advance or on the day. Contact Volunteering Hambleton for details of the latest local opportunities. ARTS VENUE VOLUNTEER Northallerton Forum, Rural Arts and the Ritz Cinema in Thirsk have available a wide variety of volunteer roles for people to help with administration and office work, publicity and marketing, distribution and delivery, reception duties, catering, exhibitions and even being cinema projectionists. There are also roles for people interested in sound, lighting and AV. CRAFT /WOODWORK / NURSERY ASSISTANT There are a range of opportunities for volunteers to provide support with woodworking, landscaping, garden nursery work and arts and crafts. Could you help someone increase their confidence and self-esteem as well as increase their skills, provide social contact and help them return to work where possible? SPORTS VOLUNTEERING, COACHING, OFFICIATING…. North Yorkshire Sport provides sporting opportunities for young people throughout North Yorkshire via delivery of Sport England Active Sports Programme. Potential roles available including coaching, officiating and events staff for Festivals, Youth Games etc.

ACTIVITY & EXERCISE HELPER

Volunteers are often needed to help with gentle exercise sessions, chairaerobics, tea dances and craft clubs. 18

ADMINISTRATION & OFFICE

VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR * No this isn’t a typing error, a number of local organisations are seeking a volunteer to help them co-ordinate their volunteers. Roles include vetting potential volunteers, allocating regular duties and ensuring volunteers receive ongoing support and development. A great opportunity to show that you can manage people and systems!

OFFICE HELPER/RECEPTIONIST

Many organisations are looking for volunteers to help in their offices. Duties vary but include answering the telephone, collating information, dealing with post and mail outs, entering information into databases and other general office duties. This kind of volunteering is a great way to gain current work experience, update skills or help organisations who help others.

19

COMPUTING/TECHNOLOGY

PUBLICITY, MARKETING & SOCIAL NETWORK VOLUNTEER Local groups are looking for volunteers to help them create publicity, write and distribute press releases, develop websites or update and use social networking ‘platforms’ such as Facebook and Twitter. A great way to help a group if you are a digital native!

20

HOMEBASED VOLUNTEERING & MICRO VOLUNTEERING Help From Home is a volunteer driven initiative that promotes and encourages participation in easy, no commitment, and on-demand non-profit run micro volunteering opportunities where a spare 10 seconds to 30 minutes is all that is needed to help out worthy causes. They also have various other ongoing micro volunteering projects, including: Help From Work – encouraging people to volunteer during their lunch break, without leaving their office environment. Help From Seniors – encouraging senior citizens to volunteer without getting out of their armchair. Help From Holiday – encouraging people to think about responsible tourism by volunteering before, during or after their holiday. Skills 4 You – enabling the unemployed or people currently in a job to expand their skill set via micro volunteering actions, for eventual inclusion in their CV. See their website for opportunities in the Hambleton area www.helpfromhome.org/

21

Please send me some information on the following volunteering opportunities:

1 …………………………………………………………… 2 …………………………………………………………… 3 …………………………………………………………… My areas of interest: ……………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………

Name……………………………………………………… Address…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… Postcode…………………………………………………. Contact No……………………………………………… Email Address: …………………………………………..

22

Email: …………………………………………………………………………………...

For further details please contact: Volunteering Hambleton Community House 10 South Parade Northallerton DL7 8SE Tel. 01609 780458 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ndvsa.co.uk

Volunteer Centre Stokesley First Floor Town Close North Road Stokesley TS9 5DH Tel. 01642 710085 Email: [email protected] Web: www.stokesleycca.org.uk or see: www.do-it.org

23