This is the first e-bulletin produced by the newly rebranded Basildon, Billericay & Wickford Volunteer Network (formerly known as the BBW Volunteer Centre). This monthly e-bulletin will complement our brand new website and will bring you all the latest information and news on volunteering in the Basildon Borough.
We love to hear good volunteer news stories so if you have something positive to share that you would like to be included in a future edition please drop us an email.
We hope you enjoy reading this first issue. Pleaseget in touchif you have any questions about volunteering or would like to speak to one of the team.
The BBW Volunteer Network Team
How can I get involved in Formal Volunteering?
At the Volunteer Network, we like to make you aware of volunteering opportunities near you. Here in Essex, formal volunteering opportunities are advertised on the Volunteer Essex website.
Opportunities to volunteer are varied and wide-ranging. Current listings include organisations looking for buddies for the elderly, charity shop assistants, social media marketing helpers and administrative aids. Now, more than ever, there are also opportunities to volunteer from home. You are therefore likely to find the perfect opportunity for your interest: whether you want to give back to the community, learn new skills or meet new people.
What is Informal Volunteering?
At the Volunteer Network, we offer a Community Exchange service. This is an informal volunteering initiative whereby individuals are able to offer services, company or skills to somebody else. For every hour spent helping, the individual can redeem an hour of someone else's time. We are in the process of expanding our Community Exchange offer and are
seeking individuals who want to receive and give time through the scheme. Please get in contact if you have any skills, tasks or knowledge that you would like to share or get involved with - volcentre@bbwcvs.org.uk
Volunteer Network Virtual Volunteer Fair
On August 10th we are holding a virtual Volunteer Fair on our new YouTube channel.
We will be uploading a series of videos from local groups and organisations seeking volunteers; advertising the positions they have open and telling you about what they do.
These videos will be available to watchfrom your own home, and all the links to access the opportunity will be in the video description. We hope that you can join us by subscribing to our channel, watching the videos and sharing the opportunities with other people interested in volunteering.
Telephone Befrienders provide support to clients using the service through a weekly telephone call. Telephone befrienders usually call the same person each week at the same time, to provide a listening ear, links to other services and to monitor general well being. All telephone befrienders receive full training and ongoing support from the project co-ordinator.
Citizens Advice are looking for people to provide an effective and efficient triage service to members of the public. This might include providing self-help information, signposting other organisations or referring callers to a specialist. This role can be undertaken at home with remote supervision, or from the office.
The Witness Service provides practical and emotional support and information to witnesses so that they feel valued, respected and informed and able to give their best evidence in court.
The role is court-based and will involve providing support to witnesses, and their supporters, by explaining the court procedures and legal terminology, showing them around the courtroom before trial and sitting in the courtroom with them, when permitted.
CRG provide 121’s, workshops, programmes & projects for mental health recovery, domestic abuse recovery(men & women), life coaching, personal development and counselling,
They are looking for someone with a really big heart who will join their team and help in many aspects of the organisation. This will include social media marketing, website work and general administration. Good IT skills are a must as they seek to create a larger social media presence and develop their email campaigns.
Billericay Town Football Club are seeking volunteers in their Media Team. The volunteer will be involved in many areas of the football club including the Men’s & Women’s senior teams. Working under the club’s Head of Media, the ideal candidates will be aspiring sports journalists, videographers and content creators.
The role will require attendance at matches and potentially midweek training sessions.
Basildon Rugby Club are looking for volunteers to help deliver rugby coaching and to officiate rugby matches involving young people aged 6 to 18. Rugby is renowned for its sense of fun and friendships that last over generations. This is an excellent way of making a contribution to sport and finding a new set of friends.
Must be available on Sunday mornings, training can be provided.
This free CPD Standards approved 8-week Open University course will guide you through some of the distinctive features and values of the voluntary sector, how organisations are funded and involve volunteers and other ‘stakeholders’ in their work. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skills you can apply to your own work or volunteering as well as your everyday life. You can progress at your own pace over the 8 weeks; with each week taking a minimum of 3 hours of your time.
Upon completion, you will receive an Open University digital completion badge.
Volunteer Essex provides a number of online training opportunities. These include four informative videos: keeping safe, telephone befriending, supporting volunteers and safeguarding.
Their website also compiles other useful training courses and resources that are available online. For example, a digital skills course powered through Learn my Way.
Thank you for reading the first edition of our Volunteer Network E-Bulletin. Please contact us if you have any stories, suggestions or questions regarding our volunteer offers. We would love to hear from you!
