Copy
News for Carers in Bedfordshire volunteers
View this email in your browser
 
News for Volunteers
Update from Carers in Bedfordshire

MARCH 2017


tel 0300 111 1919      
volunteering@carersinbeds.org.uk
www.carersinbeds.org.uk 
 

Most of the changes we introduced a few months back are now settling down, for example to the grants scheme, charging for services and introducing the Memory Navigation Service. There has been a lot of learning and we plan to take a good look at how these have all gone from the point of view of carers, staff including volunteers and others. Thank you for your patience at this time if you help in one of the affected services - hopefully you will have seen the improvements. We are a dynamic organisation always keen to improve so change is all part of that! 

One pleasing development is that Fusion Lifestyle who run all the Bedford Borough leisure centres have signed up to the Carers Discount Card scheme. If you are a carer with a card, then do take advantage when going along for a session or a class. We are glad to now have a volunteer to promote the card to carers who don't yet know about us as well as those who are already registered.


Volunteers ~Sausage Roll~ Forum
Carers in Bedfordshire is a highly respected local charity and we are convinced that a huge part of our reputation is down to our volunteers! The Volunteer Forum is a great way for you to find out the latest and for us us to stay in touch with you. We only have two per year so I hope you are able to set aside some time to come along to the next one: 25th April 2017 10 - 12.30pm. And yes, there will be sausage rolls! 


What difference does Volunteering make to you?
The Board of Trustees at their meeting on Monday were highly appreciative of the support given by volunteers, regarding the donation of time as valuable as the donation of money - and no wonder: every team leader had mentioned volunteers in their Board report! We plan to do some number crunching using national metrics and your monthly hours to work out the financial value of volunteering to quantify this support you give us.
But of course it's not about statistics. We are keen to hear from you about what difference volunteering makes to you. Has it helped you at all? Can you see the difference you make to your team or to carers? Please take our online survey to give us some feedback.We are hoping to run a special feature on this in a future Carers magazine.


Small change, big difference
Pop your loose change into one of our new home boxes – and you’ll be amazed how much you’ll raise! One of our supporters brought in a pot of change recently, and it added up to nearly £30. That’s a lot of change – and a very welcome gift. Just let me know and I'll get one out to you. You can have fun assembling it!


Volunteer ID Badges
Some of the eagle eyed among you have already noticed that the ID badges expire at the end of the month. If your role requires a badge, we will be re-issuing these next month 


Charity Fun Day 6th May, Jordans Mill, Broom
Jordans are inviting groups to Walk the Green Wheel and raise sponsorship for their charity. Would you like to represent us there? Follow your walk with a visit to the Mill where local groups and organisations will be exhibiting and offering fun interactive activities for all the family.
In anticipation of the 2nd anniversary of the Biggleswade Green Wheel the Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel, supported by Jordans Mill, will be organising a fun filled day for the family joining up local support and interest groups to raise awareness of what our local community offers.
If you are interested in coming along to promote Carers in Bedfordshire, please let me know.


Volunteer hours
We have to send in our report to funders so the sooner you can let me or your staff link have a note of the hours that you have done for Jan, Feb and March, the more likely it is that we will give a full picture. 


Diary dates
There's a lot going on so here is a listing for all forthcoming events

  • 4th April 10 - 12 noon Volunteer induction: you are welcome to come for a refresher and to meet new volunteers
  • 20th April 1 - 4pm Ambassador info session: find out more what this involves and sign up to join the team 
  • 25th April 10 - 12.30pm Volunteer Forum: come along for an update on who does what and news on services and developments. Please RSVP
  • 6th May Jordans Mill Charity Fun Day
  • 12th -18th June Carers Week: there's probably something going on near you, check with your staff link or find out if you can do anything yourself with your friends or neighbours to mark this special week in recognition of society's unsung heroes.
 
I have just realised (thanks, Sue!) that the Boat trip on the 2nd June falls on the half term which I am guessing is going to be difficult for a lot of you with children, on grandparent duty or away. I will try to rearrange the date. Sorry!!

Welcome to new volunteers 
Admin - Sue (HR advice, Board minutes), Nicole (Parent carer support, Biggleswade), Sue (Reception), Sue (tel/review calls)
Counselling - Jane (Leighton Buzzard)
Dementia befrienders - Jane (Eaton Bray), Lesley (Leighton Buzzard), Julie (Bedford)
Grants - Jan
Group help - Doreen (new Moggerhanger group)
IT 121 support - Martin (Leighton Buzzard)

That's a lot of new "Sue's" and a lot of "Js"! Great to have everyone on board!

Thanks also to Jayne and Julie who have stepped forward to help at the Carers Rest and enjoy donning their pinnies in the kitchen.


In the Spotlight
This month we hear from Bedford office volunteer, Helena Maddock. Helena is the one who processes the discount card applications, making up and sending out the cards and invariably chasing up for photos and covers reception for us on Thursday mornings.

I am married, have two children at home, one working and one still
at school. My parents used to live very near to us and when they became more frail I became a carer to them. Not long after my father died, my mother was given a diagnosis of a terminal illness and I became her main carer. 
I would love to have known about CiB then as it was a very difficult time for my whole family and I would have appreciated support. My mother lived with us for a while until she needed to go in to a nursing home where she later died.

I volunteered last year to work in the CiB office one morning a week. I wanted to do something to help those who are caring like I was. I help out in the admin team and spend a lot of my time sorting out discount cards for volunteers.
I also greet visitors, answer the phone and do anything else that needs doing. I really enjoy working in the office, it is always busy and it is different every week, and the people are lovely too!

Coming up...
See listings
Click here to email back your response or phone on
0300 111 1919
Volunteers Count
Please send in your hours for this month to your staff link or to Carol
Contact 
Carol Solaiman
Volunteer Coordinator 
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Copyright © 2017 Carers in Bedfordshire, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list