Do you want to Volunteer?
Virtual advice interviews available
Do you or someone you care about need our Services?
Are you a Charity or Voluntary Group that needs advice or support?
Find out how we can support you
Volunteering is at the heart of every thriving community. When you volunteer the effects to the local community and beyond are remarkable. As well as impacting others the valuable benefits you gain from taking part in a volunteering project has a long lasting positive effect.
Slowly volunteer organisations are getting back to some of their regular services and are beginning to recruit. Please take a look at our extensive West Berkshire Volunteer Opportunities list.
If you see something that you are interested in then get in touch by emailing vbase@vcwb.org.uk and we will help you take it further.
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and Greenham Trust
Supporting Voluntary and Community Action in West Berkshire
Garry Poulson, Sara Hanson, Chris Read, Jan Ferrer. Greenham Trust – Louise James, Chris Boulton
In July 21, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and Greenham Trust announced our Voluntary
Sector Support Alliance. Our two charities have formed this alliance to better support new
and existing community and voluntary groups across the district.
With over 70 years of combined experience delivering funding, guidance and training to the
charitable sector in West Berkshire, we are well placed to offer a range of services to
community groups, volunteers and charitable organisations seeking support.
What does this mean for you as a statutory sector professional or voluntary sector official?
From time to time your organisation will be asked by community groups for assistance,
funding, guidance, training or need advocacy of some kind. We have set out in the
attached document the key services our organisations deliver to facilitate your signposting.
Greenham Trust and VCWB believe that our pool of knowledge and expertise provides an
invaluable resource to local organisations.
We look forward to supporting you through our dedicated teams.
Garry Poulson, Director, VCWB Chris Boulton, Chief Executive, Greenham Trust
Our services can be summarised as follows:
WHO WE ARE
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire is a charitable incorporated organisation, formed in 1974. The organisation’s overriding ethos is to match local people to local need. We provide information, advice and guidance and personally match people to one of the more 350 volunteering opportunities in West Berkshire.
We also provide help and information to charitable organisations in West Berkshire, whether helping start a new charity or providing assistance with fundraising, training and governance. As well as run local schemes providing help for socially isolated and the elderly.
Featured Volunteering Opportunities
Online Supporter
A local charity is seeking volunteers who can monitor a young person’s progress as they work through an online intervention designed to support their mental health.
Supporters provide personal contact and non-judgemental feedback through weekly messages. The program itself is the therapeutic treatment – your role is one of providing encouragement and support to the young person.
No clinical experience is necessary – just an interest in helping others. Full training and regular supervision will be provided, and time commitment is around two hours a week.
Ref NY2278
Contact about this opportunity
Handybus Drivers
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire will soon be taking delivery of a new Handybus and starting a dial a ride service for older people in Newbury and Thatcham.
We are looking for volunteers to drive the bus for four hours a week. Drivers will receive good training and will be joining a band of volunteers that love assisting older people. Drivers love chatting and being involved in a really positive way to help our older infirm citizens to go about their business.
Volunteers must be 25+ with a clean UK licence, and will ideally be living in Newbury or Thatcham.
Ref NY109
Contact about this opportunity
Activity Volunteers
Would you like to volunteer as a friend/companion to children and young people with physical or sensory disabilities, as they take part in different activities?
A local disability charity runs activities such as youth clubs, sports and trips out, and volunteers are needed to help with these. Volunteers do not provide ‘care’, but rather become friends/companions. The role would suit fun and lively volunteers who enjoy games, sports and being with young people.
There is currently a particular need for volunteers at an afterschool club in Newbury on Tuesdays, 5:00-6:15pm.
Ref NY1835
Contact about this opportunity
Exercise Therapy Assistants
Many disabled people find it difficult to take as much exercise as they want – but a therapy centre in Thatcham is working to solve that problem for disabled people across West Berkshire. A specialised gym, equipped with power-assisted exercise equipment, is running as a not-for-profit venture.
You could help by joining a small team of volunteers who provide a warm welcome to people using the centre. This will include booking them in, showing them round the centre and providing encouragement. Ideal for personable volunteers who are good at making conversation.
Ref NY1439
Contact about this opportunity
Young Carers Mentor
A West Berkshire scheme provides support to young carers, and volunteers are being recruited to act as mentors.
Mentoring and befriending is a one-to-one, non-judgemental relationship where you support and encourage a young person who has caring responsibilities. You will meet with the young person on a weekly basis, helping them to identify goals to work towards, as well as signposting them to other support services.
Time commitment is three hours per week (1-2 hours face to face and a further hour completing, for example, notes from the session). The role would suit a volunteer with empathy and an ability to listen actively, as well as a respect for young people.
Ref NY1887
Contact about this opportunity
Community Navigator
Prevent and reduce social isolation across the district by supporting vulnerable people to look after themselves, live independently and have a good quality of life.
Community Navigators visit and advise people in their homes, signposting them to appropriate activities. You’ll also help people develop skills to find solutions themselves and access information online.
Time commitment is flexible and estimated to be 3-5 hours a week. The role would suit a non-judgemental volunteer with good interpersonal skills, who is also computer literate.
Ref NY2138
Contact about this opportunity
Not seeing something that piques your interest? See our extensive West Berkshire Volunteer Opportunities list!