Volunteering Opportunities NEW VOLUNTEER INFORMATION TIMES Please see important changes to the times of our sessions from May 2013 LIBRARIES Clacton Thursdays 2-5pm Harwich - Tuesdays 10am-12noon (except 21st May & 4th June) Jaywick - Thursdays 2-4pm on 7th Mar, 4th Apr, 2nd May, Manningtree - Tuesdays 2-4pm on 2nd April, 7th May, 11th June, 2nd July,6th August OTHER VENUES Enfold project, Pier Avenue Baptist Church - Thursdays 9am-11am (except 22nd & 6th June) Coastal Academy Community Centre- Monthly on Wednesdays 6th Mar, 3rd April, 1st May, 12th June, 3rd July, 7th August NB Late changes will be avoided whenever possible but please check this blog as any cancellations will be posted. LATEST OPPORTUNITIES The following opportunities have been listed recently; Essex Carers Befriender 808: To provide companionship and a listening ear to a 'family carer'. To promote independence, empowerment and reduce social isolation. Support Worker for CARA (Centre for Action on Rape & Abuse)844 We need empathetic women to provide one-to-one emotional support to CARA clients Volunteer Manningtree First Responder ref 823: As a Community First Responder our role is quite simple. Manningtree First Responders volunteers ideally live in Manningtree, Lawford, Mistley, Bradfield or Brantham, have a full driving licence and the use of a car. Volunteer Supporter for Church Visit ref 830(Frinton) Volunteer needed to assist someone walking to a nearby church every Wednesday at 10am. To attend service and support return for 12.00 noon. If necessary they may need to return early. Sensory Storytime Volunteer (Various Libraries in the district)ref 831 & 832. To deliver one/two Sensory Storytime sessions in a local library to children during the summer holidays. Volunteers will deliver the storytime/s in their chosen Essex library. Libraries in Tendring are; Clacton, West Clacton, Holland on Sea, Brightlingsea, Manningtree, Harwich, Frinton & Walton Facilitator for Family Coffee Mornings in Dovercourt ref 826: Volunteer facilitator for family Coffee Mornings. The volunteer will organise, advertise and arrange refreshments. Every Tuesday morning for families with teenage children. Volunteer Receptionist (Evenings & Weekends)in Clacton ref 827: Volunteer receptionist is needed to help in the office during our Family Counselling sessions. We need them for just 6 hours a week , Tuesday 3.50-5.15, Thursdays 5pm til 6.30pm and Saturday mornings from 9.30-12.30. Essex Coastal Wardens ref 816. Volunteers are required to partake in a range of volunteering activities to help with their local beaches and coastlines.Activities will range from beach/seawall cleans & litter surveys, habitat management tasks, footpath clearance and maintenance. Work Club Helper Ref 829: Volunteer Helper to assist Job Seekers who attend the Enfold Homeless Project on a Thursday morning 11.00am to 1.00pm. Starting in April 2013 . Volunteers will help with online jobsearch, preparation of CV's and general advice about interviews and applications. Virtual Ward Scheme Volunteer (Stroke Services) ref 814: A special type of volunteer in connection with the Virtual Ward Scheme - to visit persons in their own homes, possibly once or twice a month. To identify areas of need and act upon them. Volunteer Support Workers (Stroke Services) ref 813: Volunteer Support Workers for a Thursday (high dependency day). To assist with the Thursday rehabilitation session under the guidance of activities' coordinator & employed support workers. Volunteer Tutor Stroke Services (Dovercourt) ref 811: Volunteers are needed to help with the Tendring Specialist Stroke satellite group in Dovercourt. Front of House Support (Reception & Admin)ref 810: The volunteer role will be vital in helping to create a warm, welcoming and supportive environment for our residents who live in a large supported housing project in Edith Road, Clacton. Essex Youthbuild Construction Volunteers 805: Essex Youthbuild are seeking volunteers with a background in construction to assist our instructors. Teaching experience is not required. Volunteer Citizen Advocate ref 801: We are looking for volunteers who are interested in supporting and representing the views and wishes of older people who are facing difficulties in their lives and feel they are unable to speak up for themselves. Active Lives Volunteer (Ref 765): Active Lives Volunteers make a weekly commitment for a 12 week period per client, to accompany them on activities such as walking, lunch club (s) and visiting local shops. Digital Mentors ref 790 : To support Family Mosaic residents in their homes in learning about computers and improving their existing skills. New Developments Volunteer ref 788: Sustrans is looking for volunteers for a new role throughout Essex and Cambridgeshire. Building on our work to encourage walking and cycling we are looking for volunteers to respond to planning applications in your local area How to Apply; www.do-it.org.uk (see link above on this website) In a Library (see times) or Telephone the Office: 01255 470847 The Volunteer Centre Tendring is working in partnership with Voluntary Sector Training (VST), an independent charity, to provide high quality, affordable and local training to the voluntary and community sector across Essex. VST runs an open programme of training covering key topics relevant to the sector and tailored training specifically arranged to meet particular needs of organisations. For a current training programme or more information, call 01371 876747 or visit the VST website www.voluntarysectortraining.org.uk" YOU CAN BE A SCHOOL GOVERNOR Being a school governor is very rewarding. It's a way of helping to make sure that all our children have the very best opportunities available.For further information, please contact 01245 437599 or 01245 436669 or email: debbi.botham@essex.gov.uk IT Support Volunteer While some people consider computers to be an intrinsic part of daily life, others struggle to get to grips with them. If you are comfortable using computers, perhaps you could help someone gain basic computer skills and discover the joys of the virtual world. With guidance from library staff, you would help people build their IT skills, focusing on activities such as setting up email accounts, navigating the internet, using Word or Excel, or booking library computers. If you live in the Clacton area, please call in to see the Volunteer Centre on a Wednesday afternoon to discuss this opportunity. VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDERS The 'Pathway2' project needs volunteer befrienders to help support adults in the community. If you feel you can help people to gain a better quality of life by supporting them to go swimming, attend college, theatre and other social activities within the local community, we would love to hear from you. We have opportunities in Clacton, Jaywick & Manningtree or Harwich, Frinton & Walton. Please contact theVolunteer Centre for further details. Volunteer Falls Prevention Mentor THE NHS NE ESSEX FALLS PREVENTION SERVICE NEED VOLUNTEERS. Who enjoy talking to, and being with, older people Who will work independently within a home environment Who enjoy working in a team and contributing ideas Who are willing to take part in a basic training course THE OPPORTUNITY CAN INVOLVE Home visiting to offering information on healthy living and/or falls prevention. Accompanying the individual in the pursuit of activities. Making telephone calls to arrange appointments or find out how they are getting on. Helping out at group activity sessions (e.g. organising refreshments, setting up rooms). Giving information about falls prevention to small groups. Undertaking as much or as little as you would like. Please contact the volunteer centre for further information Opportunities in Jaywick Inclusion Ventures have multi-use games areas in Jaywick and Clacton. They need volunteer youth workers to attend sessions with Inclusion Ventures staff. Previous experience of youth work would be an advantage. Local Jaywick volunteers are needed to help on the newly acquired allotment. Also volunteers are needed to help in the kitchens preparing healthy foodPlease contact Sarah on 01255 476947, or e-mail sarah.inclusionventures@ntlworld.com Mini Bus Drivers Harwich Connexions need volunteer mini bus drivers. They operate vehicles within Harwich and outlying villages for community groups. The time for volunteers can be flexible. For further information, please contact Lisa on 01255 552010 or e mail D.Rotchell@btopenworld.com Details of Harwich Connexions are also available on their website http://www.harwichconnexions.co.uk/ Volunteer Drivers Whether unemployed, retired, working or just wanting something to do, men and women volunteer drivers are paramount to TCT's success. Volunteer drivers' work helps thousands of isolated residents to get out and about. This enhances the quality of life for passengers and volunteers alike. Most importantly, this work enables people to participate in community activities; it enables greater choice and the opportunity to lead independent lives. For further information about volunteering with Tendring Community Transport, please visit the website: http://www.dial-a-ride.org/pages/volunteers.php or telephone 01255 436962 for further details.

Interested in Volunteering?

If you are interested in any of the opportunities mentioned in our blog and want further information there are four options;

1. Call into a Volunteer Information Session, info below

2. Follow the link to www.do-it.org.uk to register online

3. Download complete and return our Registration Form

4. e-mail us at info@volunteercentretendring.org.uk

Looking for Volunteering Opportunities

We will be happy to guide you by taking your registration and discussing;-

● The type of voluntary work that interests you
● The skills and experience that you can offer
● Your availability and location of volunteer placements
● Training courses
● Support to apply for or carry out volunteering

Volunteer Information Sessions

Please call in and visit one of the 'Volunteer Information Sessions.' (Please call 01255 470847 or check the blog above for more venues and info.)

Clacton

Library, 1.00pm to 4.00pm, Wednesdays

Harwich

Library, 10.00am to 12 noon, Tuesdays

Manningtree

Library, 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Tuesdays
Now monthly check the 'Volunteering Opportunities' blog in the panel at the top of this page for dates and times.

Jaywick

(Golf Green) Library, 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Thursdays
 

Alternatively, you may like to;

● Contact us to arrange an appointment (details below)
● Download a registration form to print and send us
● Download our latest Newsletter
● Or register and search online at www.do-it.org.uk

Organisations Get Involved in Volunteering

We hold a database of current volunteering opportunities and we can help by including your organisation's details and referring people to you. Please feel free to call us for advice or download and complete our organisation registration forms below.

Volunteering Downloads

Volunteer Registration Form
Organisation Registration Form
Organisation Opportunity Registration Form
Latest Newsletter

Helping Hands

If you are aged 60 and over or are younger and disabled we may be able to help you with transport and other tasks.

Transport

Volunteers use their own cars and normally wait for you to complete your appointment or shopping. They may be able to give assistance where necessary. There is no charge for waiting as our drivers are all volunteers but there is a fuel charge for the transport itself.

48 hours notice is generally required. For further details and an application pack, please contact the office.

Other Tasks

These may be 'one off' tasks that you are unable to do for yourself and no one else is available to do it for you. e.g. Changing curtains, small repairs or maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs and fuses.

A small charge is made for doing these jobs and any material costs are paid by you.

Helping Hands Downloads

Helping/Guiding Hands Membership Form

Helping Hands Charity Shop

Our shop is in the High Street, Clacton near the main post office and opposite Sainsburys.

We have been open since April 2012 and welcome good quality contributions to sell.

The Helping Hands office is situated at the back of the shop and is open on weekday mornings only. All bookings should continue to be made by telephone during opening hours.

Guiding Hands

If you have had a problem with aggressive doorstep salesman or unreliable builders we may be able to help avoid any future problems. Our Guiding Hands scheme will find an experienced volunteer to help you negotiate for large purchases and maintenance work.

Guiding Hands also has a list of reputable companies that have been recommended by users of the scheme and volunteers.

Please note that all assistance given is subject to the availability of the volunteers at any given time. For access to all of the help offered by these projects, there is a small annual registration fee which helps us fund administration costs.

To join the scheme or enquire about joining, please call the office during office hours and request a pack. Alternatively you may download a copy of our membership form and leaflet.

Guiding Hands Downloads

Helping/Guiding Hands Membership Form

Contact Volunteering

Office Hours - 9.00am to 3.00pm - Tuesday to Friday

Volunteer Centre, 26 High Street, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. CO15 1UQ

Tel: 01255 470847 (Office)  07923 479603 (Mobile)
e-mail: info@volunteercentretendring.org.uk

Contact Helping Hands & Guiding Hands

Office Hours - 9.00am to 12.30pm - Monday to Friday

The Helping Hands Shop, 26 High Street, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. CO15 1UQ

Tel: 01255 427888
e mail: helpinghands@volunteercentretendring.org.uk