New Volunteering Opportunities for September 2024
Advocacy Coach
An advocacy charity which supports disadvantaged and marginalised people is seeking volunteer advocacy coaches in West Berkshire. The role involves supporting clients to develop the confidence to self-advocate for a one-off event or as part of their personal progression. You will help with co-delivering self-advocacy workshops, support peer advocacy groups and provide 1:1 advocacy coaching to clients. By volunteering, you’ll help ensure clients have greater choice and control over their lives.
Time commitment is 3-6 hours a week (within the hours of Monday to Friday, 9-5pm). The role would suit someone with a positive attitude towards vulnerable clients who is confident in communicating information. Experience of delivering training or workshops is desirable. The role will take place in a variety of settings locally.
Ref NY2591
Trustee
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire has been around since 1974, and provides services for the less able, volunteer recruitment work, advises the charitable sector and runs projects contributing to the local voluntary sector. The organisation is governed by a board of trustees.
We are seeking to strengthen our team with the addition of trustees with volunteering, HR, business, fundraising or legal experience who can work alongside others in pursuit of a common goal.
Trustees meet quarterly on weekday afternoons (usually a Thursday). Trustees will offer guidance and expertise and become involved in other projects on an ad hoc basis. If you are a good team player, with expertise in the community, we would be interested in hearing from you. Prior experience of being a trustee or on a board would be preferable.
Ref NY1449
Creative Volunteer
A Newbury-based charity offers a whole host of creative activities to young people and adults with learning disabilities. Volunteers are being recruited to help with the facilitation of the sessions. Activities include drama, dance, music, physical movement, art, filmmaking and life skills training. Could you support participants whilst they make their own movies or enjoy being part of a residential theatre company working alongside professional actors?
Classes run on weekdays from 9am – 3pm, and also on Monday and Thursday evenings. Time commitment can be flexible. The role would suit patient and kind volunteers. Perhaps you have a specific creative skill or would just like to be hands on to support the team.
Ref NY1154
Nature Café Volunteer
Assist with the running of a café for people living with dementia and their loved ones. The role involves assisting with set up and clearing away; welcoming participants; facilitating nature-based crafts, memory activities and occasional walks and talks; serving refreshments; suggesting ideas for activities; assisting with evaluation and helping participants socialise.
The café runs once a month in Thatcham from 10:30am-12:30pm, typically on the third Tuesday. The role would suit friendly and welcoming volunteers with empathy and an interest in local wildlife.
Ref NY2588
Garden Project Volunteer
A not-for-profit project in Englefield produces and sells fruit, vegetables and flowers. Volunteers are needed to help maintain the two-acre site. Maintenance includes pruning, preparing the soil, sowing, planting, weeding, mowing the grass and picking the crops.
A variety of tasks are available to suit all abilities and preferences. There is a chance to specialise in a particular area e.g. soft fruit or flowers or you can join in with any of the activities. All tools are provided and no qualifications are needed. The gardening sessions run Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am to 12:30pm. Time commitment is flexible.
Ref NY705
Trustee specialising in Aquatics-Leisure facilities
Do you have experience of pool design, construction and operation, or experience in managing projects relating to leisure-aquatics facilities? A West Berkshire organisation, which runs a successful gym for people with disabilities, is planning to add hydrotherapy to its service. As such, they are looking for someone with experience of this area to join their team of trustees to provide guidance. The role will involve agreeing specifications for design and construction, and ensuring that legal and best practice guidelines are followed.
The project is expected to build from an initial involvement of 2-3 hours a week, rising during the key stages of design and implementation.
Ref NY1834
For information about these and more than 350 other volunteering opportunities please contact Volunteer Centre West Berkshire via vbase@vcwb.org.uk or call 01635 49004