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Volunteering Newsletter September 2021
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Welcome to the latest edition of the Volunteering Newsletter to keep you up to date with volunteering news and opportunities across Norfolk. In this issue:
- Covid-19 Response Volunteers
- Volunteer Passport update
- Get involved at the Norwich Science Fair
- EACH Bubble Rush – can you help?
- Volunteer Story - Michelle, Norfolk and Waveney Mind
- Roles on the Volunteering Portal
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Covid-19 Response Volunteers Still Needed!
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Volunteers are still playing a vital role in Norfolk’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and it is not too late to join them.
Vaccination Volunteers - Volunteers are still needed at vaccination centres help to maintain safety and organisation in the carparks and help with patient flow through the centre, keeping the site safe for staff, volunteers and patients
Telephone befrienders - If you would rather volunteer from home, volunteers are also needed to make befriending calls to people that are finding themselves isolated or lonely during the pandemic. Calls take place at a time agreed by the volunteer and the person they are calling, and can happen once every week or two weeks, depending on the agreement reached. There are still a large number of people feeling lonely and isolated and more referrals are coming through every week, so if you can spare a few hours, you could really make a difference.
If you are able to help with either of these roles, please register your interest on the Voluntary Norfolk website here
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There’s still time to enrol for September programme
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There’s still time to enroll on the next Volunteer Passport training programme, which starts on September 15th 2021.
The training programme includes five core training modules that will help to equip you with the basic skills and knowledge you will need for most volunteering roles, as well as support to identify and apply for volunteering roles if you don’t already have one. The training is delivered by Adult Learning at Norfolk County Council and is free of charge. Once you have completed the training and references have been taken up, you will be added to the register of Volunteer Passport holders and will be able to share this information with organisations when applying for volunteering roles. Find out more about the Volunteer Passport and the content of the training here.
The next training programme will start on Wednesday September 15th from 6.00-8.30pm. It will run for five weeks and will take place online using Zoom. If you are interested in taking part in the Volunteer Passport Programme, please contact Laura Holland on volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk and she will be in touch to discuss it with you further.
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Get involved at the Norwich Science Festival
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The Norwich Science Festival is fully back on this year and they are looking for enthusiastic, friendly people aged 18+ to join their volunteer team. The Festival will take place from 23 – 30 October 2021, with all the necessary safety measures put in place
Volunteers help members of the public make the most of the many exhibitions, events, and activities on offer during the festival, and roles include festival marketing, event stewarding, ticketing, and many more. Volunteers may be based at The Forum, other city centre locations, and other satellite venues where Festival events are being held.
An interest or involvement in science or previous volunteering experience is desirable but not essential. What IS essential, is a sociable, energetic personality, an enquiring mind, and a willingness to help make this event a memorable and inspirational experience for everyone.
Festival events are held both during the day and in the evenings, so there are plenty of opportunities to be involved.
For more information, go to https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer
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EACH Bubble Rush Kings Lynn
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East Anglian Children’s Hospice has launched a new event – the Bubble Rush. The event takes place along a 5k course, starting in a sea of bubbles and featuring four Bubble Stations along the route where cannons pump out coloured foam to create a 4ft deep bubble bath. Every course is family friendly, so participants can run, jog, walk, dance or toddle through the foam. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are more than welcome!
Volunteer are needed to support the Bubble Rush in King's Lynn on 26th September 2021, and roles include helping with marshalling and car parking or helping out on one of the many fundraising stalls at the event.
You can find more details of the Bubble Rush Volunteer role on the Volunteering Portal (see below), and if you are interested in supporting other EACH events you can contact them on volunteerservices@each.org.uk
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Volunteer Story - Michelle, Norfolk and Waveney Mind
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My name is Michelle and these days I work as a Recovery Worker for Norfolk and Waveney Mind but I was introduced to the charity when I started volunteering at the Gardening 4 Health Allotment project about 6 years ago to gain some mental health experience to support the degree I was studying.
I was made to feel so very welcome by everyone on the project. Geoff, who was the Therapeutic Allotment Worker taught me a lot about planting and growing vegetables but it was the friendliness, enthusiasm and motivation of the other volunteers and people using the project which really helped me increase my confidence following some personal issues. Just be being on the project, which is very tranquil, I learnt how important it is
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for people to be empowered to make their own decisions and the benefits of working together in an outdoor space. I’m really glad to see that the project is about to be re-launched following lockdown to give many more people access and it will also be offering non-gardening related activities and incorporating outdoor and indoor crafts.
I really loved volunteering on the allotment - it helped maintain my mental wellbeing whilst I was studying for my degree, gave me the opportunity to get experience of supporting people using our service and I’ve no doubt it helped me secure my current paid role at Mind which I really enjoy. I would recommend people give volunteering a try – they may be surprised how much there is to gain - I’m very glad I did.
The Gardening 4 Health Allotment Project is holding an Open Day on Thursday 9th September from 10.30 - 13.30 at Allotment Way, Off Front Way, North Lynn, King’s Lynn PE30 2FG. There will be a BBQ, cakes and refreshments, games and quizzes, live music, stalls and talks and information stands. For further project details email: allotment@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
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Do you have a volunteer story?
If you would like to share your experiences of volunteering in Volunteering News, please do get in touch with us: volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk
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Roles on the Voluntary Norfolk Volunteering Portal
Below are a selection of the new roles on the Volunteering Portal this month. If you would like to search all of the current roles on the Portal, please click here.
If you would like any help with searching for the right role for you, please contact us at volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk
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If you would like to join the volunteer team in Norfolk, helping roll out vaccinations in your area, sign up via the Voluntary Norfolk website.
If you have registered to become a Covid-19 Response volunteer and you have not heard back from us, please bear with us as we work through the applications. If you would like to register for a Covid-19 Response role, please complete this online form or for more information, please contact the Volunteer Centre.
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Events Volunteer -King's Lynn Bubble Rush - 26 September 2021
EACH are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can help out at their events, whether it’s covering supporters with powdered paint at one of our Colour Dashes, enjoying the fun of the bubbles at one of our EACH Bubble Rushes, helping with marshalling and car parking or manning one of our many fundraising stalls. You’ll play a key role in making sure our supporters have an excellent event experience whilst meeting new friends and having fun along the way.
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CAN Connect – Support Volunteer (Thetford) Other locations available
The CAN Connect service is led by Community Action Norfolk in partnership with Future Projects and is part of a range of services across Norfolk aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation. The services can help individuals connect with people and activities in their community as well as providing a range of support to help them achieve their goals, which in turn supports organisations and people to make the places we live, stronger, friendlier and more resilient.
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British Red Cross – National Support Line Volunteer
Could you provide emotional or practical support to somebody in need? The British Red Cross are looking for volunteers who can provide help to those who need it most through their National Support Line. You will provide support to those who may have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Some of those you will be helping will need emotional support as they are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Others may need help accessing their medication or food, or to be signposted to an external agency who can provide further support.
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Online Sales Champion
Do you have a keen eye for unusual or sought-after collectables? Or maybe you would like to increase your knowledge of the world of online selling? Help our Sheringham BHF shop as an online sales volunteer and gain skills that can be used for life. Full support and training will be provided – an interest in online buying and selling would be beneficial.
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Social Media Volunteer
Are you looking to gain experience working in the charity sector? Are you a whiz with social media? Would you like to support Community Chaplaincy Norfolk’s work helping ex-offenders rebuild their lives? A Social Media Volunteer is needed to help build a social media presence and create engaging content to support work with people leaving prison.
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Befriender
Being a carer can be socially isolating and lonely. A regular friendly phone or video call can make so much difference in offering companionship and checking on their well-being. Volunteers will be matched with Carers and mutual arrangements can be made to suit everyone. Carers Matter would be looking for Volunteers to help out for at least 1-2 hours per week. If you are a good listener, understanding and sensitive and would like to make a new friend and help others ease feelings of isolation by having a chat, then they would love to hear from you.
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Treasurer for Yare Valley RDA
The RDA are looking for a Treasurer. Duties include: keeping records of income and expenditure for each financial year, acknowledging donations in writing, preparing financial statement at end of Financial Year ready for the AGM and having this audited, and managing the organisation's bank accounts and savings accounts. The Treasurer is the link with the Charity Commission and will get a yearly reminder to send the yearly income and expenditure of the group.
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Contact us
The Voluntary Norfolk Volunteering Team members are all working at home at the moment and our office telephone won't be answered. If you would like any more information about volunteering in general or in response to the Covid-19 crisis, do please email us on volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk.
For regular updates about volunteering and volunteering opportunities,
follow us on Facebook.
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