Happy New Year of Volunteering

We would like to start 2022 by sending very best wishes to all readers of Volunteering News. As we move into the New Year, we are still in very uncertain times and volunteers continue to play a vital role in the response to Covid-19 across the county. Many volunteer roles that were suspended during 2021 have now re-started and some new roles have been created in response to the changing times we find ourselves in.

If you feel ready to start to look for a new volunteering role for the New Year, there are currently over 200 roles advertised on the Voluntary Norfolk Volunteering Portal, so have a browse through and see if there is a role that appeals to you. You can find a link to the search page here. Some of the roles recently posted on the Portal are featured below.

You may also like to have a look at the Volunteering in Norfolk Facebook group and if you are interested in a particular organisation, do check their website or social media channels for opportunities.

Don’t forget that the Volunteering Team at Voluntary Norfolk can help you to get registered on the Volunteering Portal and get started with your volunteering search. Email us on volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk if you would like some help.

Covid 19 Response Volunteers still needed!

Reminder - Virtual Volunteer Fair 19th January 2022

Our first Virtual Volunteering Fair is due to take place on Zoom on Wednesday January 19th 2022, and we are pleased to report that four organisations with a Health and Wellbeing Focus will be coming along to talk about volunteer roles and about volunteering in a Health and Wellbeing setting.

The Volunteering Fair will take place on Wednesday January 19th between 1pm and 2.30pm on Zoom. You can come along to the whole event or just drop in.

If you are interested in coming along, please email volunteercentre@voluntarynofolk.org.uk and we will send you more information and a link to join the Fair.

Norfolk Volunteer Passport Training
– next programme enrolling now

If you are new to volunteering, returning to volunteering or an experienced volunteer, you may be interested in being part of the Norfolk Volunteer Passport scheme. The Passport includes a programme of core training. You will also receive help with getting references, finding a volunteer role, keeping a record of your training and volunteering activity, and an ID badge to show you are part of the Volunteer Passport scheme.

The training programme includes an introductory session and 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. You can find out more about the Volunteer Passport and the content of the training here.

The next training programmes will take place weekly between Wednesday February 23rd and Wednesday March 30th 2022 from 6 – 8.30 pm on 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

Volunteer Mentors for Young People

Simone Black from Your Own Place writes:

We would love to have you on board as a volunteer mentor for year 9 pupils (14 year olds) at either Sprowston or Sewell Park Academy in Norwich. We offer 2 days of engaging training, which covers communication skills, working in an asset-based and restorative way, resilience and safeguarding. One mentor said 'My friend recently attended the training and she was absolutely buzzing when I saw her. She loved it! So I applied too' We organise a DBS with you and offer you on-going support and development.

You are matched with a mentee who you have things in common with, perhaps your interests, favourite TV shows or career choices so you can enjoy chatting and your training will allow you to highlight the skills the mentee has. Ryan, one of our mentors said 'Once I met him and found out how much we had in common and using the knowledge I’d been given by YOP to help my mentee realise his potential, all the nerves went away very quickly.' Your meet ups will increase the mentees confidence and resilience simply by chatting in a non-judgemental and positive way about their day to day life, hobbies and goals. One mentee said "It's good to have someone to talk to that I trust & that is there for me. It's easier to focus in school when you have someone to talk to and help talk about how to use your skills to do better.'

For more details see https://www.yourownplace.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-mentoring-schools/ and watch this video. Contact Simone at simone@yourownplace.org.uk if you have more questions or apply here.

Conversations with Trustees

Have you thought about the possibility of becoming a trustee, but weren’t quite sure what it would involve or if it might be the right role for you? We have talked to some trustees from local charities to find out what made them decide to become a trustee, the worries they had about taking on the role, what they do and what they enjoy. We have recorded our conversations, with Anne Beckett Allen a trustee at Nelson’s Journey, Caroline Elliott, a trustee with The Magdalene Group and Niall McClelland, chair of Home Start Norfolk, and you can find them on the Voluntary Norfolk YouTube Channel.

If you would like to find out more about what is involved in being a trustee or would like help to find a trustee role that would suit you, please contact us on volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk. If you are a trustee and would like to record a conversation and share your experiences with others, please let us know!

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

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