Thinking about volunteering?

The Volunteer Centre aims to promote, support and develop volunteers and volunteering in the area. If you’re thinking of becoming a volunteer the centre can provide information on the opportunities and range available.

Or see for yourself on the Do-it website

Volunteers' Week-25th Anniversary

Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) is the UK’s annual celebration of the work volunteers do. During the Week events are held across the country to recognise, reward and recruit volunteers.

The Volunteer Centre teamed up with some local voluntary and community groups to celebrate Volunteers’ Week.

The following workers were also thanked for going the extra mile to support UTASS Bill Niblo, Dales Area Co-ordinator with Durham County Council Education in the Community, Keith (Joe) Jones, Senior Youth Worker in Teesdale with Durham County Council Education in the Community based with Teesdale Community Resources (TCR) and Robert Fothergill, 2D’s Children & Young Peoples Participation Worker.

Robert was presented with a commemorative mosaic that the children had made especially for him to thank him for all of his help and support (see photo left).

Michele Armstrong CEO for 2D, Voluntary and Community Support presented the certificates with Gordon Elliott DCC’s Head of Partnerships and Community Engagement. The nominated volunteers and supporters were then treat to a meal and entertainment provided by the young people and took part in a quiz and complimentary therapies.

Museums Live!

The West Durham Cultural Volunteering Project Museums Live! exists for young people aged 16-25 living in or near to Teesdale, Weardale or Wear Valley.

It’s mainly designed for young people who aren’t in full time education or employment, and who might want to gain new skills in a practical, hands-on way such as - Art, Drama, Film, Heritage, Environment, Music, or a completely new idea of your own- as a route into further volunteering, training, college or paid work.

Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills outside college, to try new ideas before choosing a career, and to build your CV with real workplace roles and responsibilities.

Activities will take place at Killhope Museum and across West Durham. They have teamed up with loads of exciting organisations (see photo) to help plan & deliver activities for Museums Live! And Weardale Community Transport to make sure everyone can get where they need to be.

Visit: www.museumslive.co.uk

Why do people volunteer?

Whether you want to gain experience, get promoted, or move into a specific field, volunteering can point you towards your future career.

Do you need experience or to improve your existing skills? Lots of people have found voluntary work has helped them find permanent employment. It offers a way to gain new skills or develop the ones you already have

Someone could benefit from your skills or experience.

Passing on your knowledge to an organisation or an individual is both helpful and rewarding.

You may want to volunteer to increase your own quality of life, confidence and social networks, or just have fun!

Think of the things you enjoy, with all the volunteering opportunities available, there is definitely something for you. Volunteers can be of all ages- you can meet new people and get involved in all sorts of social activities.

Or, you may want to volunteer to simply improve your local area without having any interest in training or employment.

There are so many different ways you can help and if you enjoy it, you are helping yourself too!

Whatever the reason we can provide you with the advice and support you need to succeed. We offer:

• An area to chat confidentially, at our office or at a location of your choice.
• Information on volunteering opportunities, either in person, on the phone or on the web.
• Support for volunteers after placement and for people working with volunteers.
• Representation of issues concerning volunteers and voluntary work to local and national policy makers.
• Opportunities with local organisations whose work involves volunteers including community groups, health services, colleges, sports clubs etc.
• Targeted opportunities to members of the community who are under represented in volunteering. Ensuring that volunteers are not discriminated against and that volunteers are supported in their voluntary activity.
• newsletters featuring news, events & opportunities.

The range of opportunities is vast and, as well as local, national and international placements are also available.

 How we can help your organisation

We actively participate in, or organise events under the regional and national campaigns to market volunteering. Such as Volunteers Week and Make a Difference Day.

We promote volunteering through our newsletters, the Internet, in local and regional press, and information points throughout Teesdale and Wear Valley.

We have an extensive list of contacts from all sectors, which we frequently network with.

We are able to offer training in specialist areas to suit the requirements of each individual organisation.

 As well as referring volunteers to meet your organisations needs, there are also opportunities available for employee volunteering. An individual could offer their professional skills in a particular role or take part in a team challenge, a team building exercise where employees can put something back into the community.

The Volunteer Centre has 6 core functions:

Brokerage - the Volunteer Centre holds information on a range of opportunities with the aim of matching volunteers with appropriate volunteering opportunities. We also offer potential volunteers support and advice.

Marketing volunteering - we stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns.

Good practice development - promoting good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. We deliver training and accreditation for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure.

Develop volunteering opportunities - working in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities.

Policy response and campaigning - identifying proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering.

Strategic development of volunteering - As the local experts on volunteering Volunteer Centres inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.