Where did we come from?
In 1974 the government of the day wanted to see better coordinated voluntary action. A steering group chaired by the Reverend Michael Scott Joynt of Newbury Churches worked together in 1973 and established the Newbury Volunteer Bureau in 1974. We are now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation no. 1156302.
The Charity’s first home was in offices above the old Newbury Plaza in the Market Place, and from there it moved across the Market Place to the Town Hall.
And now?
In 1995 the Charity moved to its present home in Bolton Place just off Northbrook Street opposite Camp Hopson. Purpose refurbished Victorian cottages now house this vibrant and forward thinking charity. In 2004 its name was changed to Volunteer Centre West Berkshire.
The organisation provides a range of direct services to the public, but its overriding ethos is to match local people to local need. The computerised Job Shop for volunteers now carries details about more than 350 volunteering opportunities in West Berkshire; visitors to Bolton Place are always amazed at just how many things can be done in a voluntary capacity.
We also provide services and information to those looking to start and fund charities.
The Charity is governed by a board of Charity Trustees, and is managed on a day to day basis by a dedicated team of local people, led by the Charity’s director, Garry Poulson.
The Charity invites you to make contact with them to find out more about their services from both a user’s and potential volunteer’s perspective. They look forward to hearing from you.
Our Trustees
As of July 2020 the trustees are:
- Garry Poulson – Director
- Brien Beharrell, Chair
- Chris Armitage, Treasurer
- Mary Marsh
- Malcolm Poynter
- Ian Nicol
- Cllr Jeff Beck
- Michael Hutchins