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Volunteering Newsletter
January 2022

Happy New Year!

 
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2023. We hope you've had a positive start to the year and that it will just keep getting better. May you find many opportunities and voluntary roles that give you joy. There's definitely a lot to choose from!
Search for volunteering opportunities

Thank you to all volunteers who helped out over Christmas

 

We are really grateful to everyone across Norfolk who volunteered to help others over the Christmas period!

In Great Yarmouth, 120 Christmas hampers were created and distributed by Voluntary Norfolk’s Better Together team (who work to tackle loneliness and social isolation). They went out to local residents who were identified as being in need of a festive cheer. The bags or hampers were tailored for different ages and different needs and included items to help people not just on Christmas Day, but over the winter months when the cost-of-living crisis is expected to hit households the most. This is just one example of people making a real difference in their community. Thank you to everyone who also helped others this Christmas.

Some of Voluntary Norfolk’s Better Together team preparing the 120 Christmas hampers

Could you help the Smokefree campaign in Great Yarmouth or Gorleston?


As part of Voluntary Norfolk’s work supporting East Coast Community Healthcare, we are looking for volunteers who are interested in supporting the Smokefree stop smoking campaign.
Starting in April, we need volunteers to man weekly drop-in points at Great Yarmouth Library (Thursdays 10am – 2pm) and Gorleston Library (day and time tbc) where clients of Smokefree can come to have carbon monoxide readings taken and recorded as part of a trial campaign to reduce smoking in pregnancy. Volunteers will take client carbon monoxide readings using a monitor, record these and then send them through to the team at Smokefree.

Volunteers will be trained how to take readings with a carbon monoxide monitor via a short online zoom training session, as well as being briefed on where to signpost clients if they have questions.   
 
If you’re interested in this role please fill out an online application via our website through the link below. Or if you have any queries get in touch with us at volunteering@ecchcic.nhs.uk
Apply online

Volunteer Story: WISEArchive

WISEArchive is a volunteer-led oral history group that collects working-life stories of Norfolk people. We had the pleasure to meet two of their volunteers, Barbara and Gill, who told us more about their roles and what they love about them.

Watch the videos below.
Barbara talks about her experience of being an Interviewer for WISEArchive.
Gill tells us how she got involved with WISEArchive and what she loves about her volunteering experience.
Find out more about volunteering at WISEArchive

Face-to-face Volunteer Passport Training

We are excited to announce the dates for out first face-to-face Volunteer Passport training! It will start on Friday 3rd March 2023 and will run every Friday for 6 weeks from 10am –12.30pm in Norwich.

Some of the reasons people have signed up to be part of the Norfolk Volunteer Passport:

  • Looking to gain more confidence before volunteering.
  • Already volunteering but would like some additional free training.
  • Would like to try volunteering in several different roles before committing to anything.
Some of our previous participants said:

‘It helped me to identify where I want to focus my skills and experience within a volunteering role, and where I feel I could be of most use to my local community. I have also gained the confidence to understand that I have a lot to offer in a volunteering role.’

‘Thank you for letting me participate in this course. It taught me structure, to value myself as an individual, and what I could bring to an organisation. A very positive and beneficial course and a great tutor!!’

The scheme includes 6 core training sessions. You will receive a certificate and an ID badge to show you are part of the scheme once completed.

You can find out more about the Volunteer Passport and the content of the training here.

If you are interested in taking part in the Volunteer Passport Programme, please sign up using the link below. You can also contact us at volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk and we will be in touch to discuss it with you further.
Find out more
Volunteer Story: Brenda’s experience at Norfolk Community Health & Care (NCH&C)

Brenda has been volunteering as a ‘Meet and Greeter’ at the reception of Norwich Community Hospital for the past five years. Brenda plays an important role in supporting with the smooth running of the reception area of the hospital. She supports patients by providing a warm welcome and directing them to the self-check in screen or to the reception team. She is also on hand if a patient needs to be accompanied to a waiting area.
Brenda recalls a day when a young gentleman came in for a blood test. She said: "He was so nervous and visibly shaking, he asked if I would mind keeping him company whilst he waited his turn. I was happy to sit with him, it was lovely being able to support him and help take his mind off things."

Brenda also helps gather feedback from patients regarding the welcome and service that they have received during their visit to the hospital to help ensure that NCH&C continue to provide an excellent service.

Brenda explained what attracted her to the role: "I like listening to people, hearing their stories and offering support to those who need it. It is such a varied role and every week is different. Lockdown made me realise how much we rely on having somewhere to go, people to meet and talk to. If others are considering volunteering, please do, you get a lot more out of it than you put in – lockdown really brought this home to me!"
Find out more about volunteering with NCH&C

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

Roles on the Voluntary Norfolk Volunteering Portal

Below is a selection of 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
Search for volunteering opportunities
Events and Fundraising Volunteer

You will help promote Future Radio to the wider community at various events across Norwich. Whether it’s handing out stickers & waving flags at local events, keeping score at a quiz night or helping to organise a local music gig, the opportunities are many, varied and fun! No experience is necessary as full training will be given.
Find out more
Delivery Drivers for Meals on Wheels

TLC Dinner Choices is a meals on wheels service committed to providing healthy meals to vulnerable people within NR1 to NR8 areas of Norwich at lunchtimes.
Find out more
Digital volunteers

Norfolk Green Care Network is looking for Digital volunteers who would help with reviewing, updating and developing their website and creating and maintaining new areas of social media.
Find out more
Parent Champions
Parent Champions are parent/carer volunteers who give a few hours a week to talk to other parents about the local services and opportunities available. This volunteering role can fit in with activities that you already do with your children and provide with new opportunities to support your community.
Find out more
 
Contact us
 
If you would like any help with searching for the right voluntary role for you, please contact us at volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk

For regular updates about volunteering and volunteering opportunities,
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Volunteering News is written by members of the Voluntary Norfolk. Thank you to everyone who is supporting their community at this time of year.
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Empowering Communities is a partnership project between Voluntary Norfolk, Community Action Norfolk & Norfolk Community Foundation.

Our mailing address is:
Voluntary Norfolk · St Clements House · 2-16 Colegate · Norwich, NR3 1BQ · United Kingdom
volunteercentre@voluntarynorfolk.org.uk

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