New volunteering opportunities for September 2008

Time on your hands? Volunteer Centre West Berkshire has around 350 different volunteering opportunities on our files at any time and we are always very happy to discuss with you any of the ways in which you could help.

Get involved with arranging an exciting and rewarding community event in aid of Cancer Research. The Relay for Life will be an overnight, community-led, non athletic event where everyone will be invited to come along and celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and those lost to the disease. Committee members with a range of skills are being sought to become the nuts and bolts of organising next year?s local event. Individuals are being sought to take on a number of committee roles including Logistics, Team Recruitment, Awareness Raising and Liaison with Cancer survivors. Ref: VCWB 96, 97, 98, 99 & 100

Michael, 60, loves trains and is looking for someone to search the web with him to find out about rail travel, different types of locomotives etc. He likes reading but needs help with some long or complicated words. He also likes writing letters and although he needs help with their composition he is very good at copying text. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with patience, imagination and a pleasant nature to help Michael pursue his current interests and to find new ones that will interest and engage him. Ref: VCWB 102

Encourage healthy eating and increase outdoor activity for older people in West Berkshire by volunteering to support an exciting new initiative running at a local market garden on Monday mornings. No specific gardening skills are required but you will be guaranteed to reap the rewards of sharing a general interest with others as they learn the delights of growing and cooking their own vegetables, which they will share with you! Ref: VCWB 101

Give some of your time by offering friendship and informal support to parents with young children in West Berkshire, enabling every child to have a good start in life. Volunteers with parenting skills are required to visit and offer one to one support to young families with children under five. Volunteers visit families in their own homes at a mutually convenient time to offer practical help, friendship and support. Long lasting friendships can be formed with the families lasting beyond the time you volunteer. The next training course is due to commence shortly, so now is the ideal time to enquire. Ref: ZE 17

If you have a sense of fun and adventure, then why not consider sharing this with young people who may be socially isolated due to a variety of learning disabilities or conditions such as autism. With just a little support from a buddy, these young people can get involved with many mainstream leisure activities and clubs. Volunteers are being sought with a mature, responsible, caring and non-judgemental character, who enjoy leisure activities such as sports, games, arts and children's clubs. Spend a little of your free time at evenings or weekends experiencing the joy of seeing others have a good time. Ref: ZD 13

For information about these and more than 350 other volunteering opportunities please call Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on 01635 49004