Volunteering

Volunteering Opportunities

Sunderland Youth Offending Service are offering volunteer opportunities to local people to become part of their community panels and  help to make a difference to the lives of young people in Sunderland.  The role would suit those who want a chance to work with young people who offend or are at risk of offending, as it requires volunteers to help develop intervention programmes.  This will help ensure young people make a real contribution to their community whist addressing personal problems that may have led to their offending.  Volunteers will receive high quality training and support throughout.

Sunderland Children’s Centre’s based throughout the city, aim to give children the best possible start in life, offering activities for children and parents, help and practical issues in raising a family and provide a place where people can find out all they need to know about children.  They currently have numerous opportunities in most of their centre’s including the following. A community Volunteer, who will assist with the centre’s events/drop-ins/coffee mornings etc, a Community Parent Volunteer, who will assist with family visits, share information about services available and offer one to one support.  A Parents Group Volunteer who is needed to assist with setting up, running and attending local parents groups and meetings. An Admin Support Volunteer who will assist the busy admin team in all aspects in administration and a Play and Learn Volunteer who will assist with setting up and facilitating the children’s play sessions.

If you interested in any of the above opportunities please contact the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on (0191) 567 8902 or call into 4 Toward Road, City Centre, Sunderland.  Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am till 4pm.  A postal registration service is also available. Alternatively email us at: sunderlandvc@aol.com or visit www.do-it.org.uk to view these and other volunteering opportunities.

Learning Disability Services  Do you have a few hours spare a week where you could become a Volunteer Support Worker for adults with a learning disability? A volunteer support worker can make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of a person who has a learning disability by providing on going support and giving them encouragement to participate in social and sporting leisure, such as going to a cafe, walking, going to the cinema or listening to music. The role is entirely individual based upon the needs of the person. Good people skills are essential. Volunteers must be friendly and approachable with an outgoing personality. They should be a good listener and communicator and able to offer a couple of hours on a regular and reliable basis

FUSHIA are an organization that exists to support the Carers of substance misuses’. They currently require volunteers to provide support to a carer of someone suffering from substance misuse.  This would be through a Self Help Group or one to one telephone support or in meetings at a convenient safe place. Volunteers should be mature and have good communication skills, a friendly manner, non judgmental and a good listener. Experience of someone with alcohol and/or drug addiction is essential.

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities please contact the Volunteer Centre Sunderland on 0191 567 8902 or alternatively email sunderlandvc@aol.com or visit www.do-it.org.uk to view these and other volunteering opportunities.

The majority of calls to Volunteering England’s information line touch upon legal issues in one form or another. Many organisations are unclear about the legal status of their volunteers and the responsibilities they have towards them. Worries around issues such as benefits and the reimbursement of expenses are perennial concerns.

Eighteen million people make a gift of their time each year. There is increasing government attention on volunteering, with growing numbers of people being encouraged to volunteer. It is therefore very important that organisations understand both the good practice and the legal implications of volunteer involvement, in order to ensure that volunteering remains a valuable experience for all.

When an organisation is desperately in need of volunteer support but finds the legal side such a barrier that they have to turn away able and willing helpers, everyone loses out. Having the ‘know-how’ gives organisations confidence to work with volunteers, and ensures that they use the very best practice, so that the partnership between volunteers and the organisation is a healthy and fruitful one.

To contact the Volunteering England organisation go directly to their website www.volunteering.org.uk/ or call Tel: +44 (0)845 305 6979 for more information.

Working in Sunderland and the surrounding areas the Volunteer Centre Sunderland is a registered charity designed to provide flexible support and guidance, to people looking to access voluntary opportunities in their local area.

There are hundreds of opportunities available from sport to care to media and youth work etc.  People can access these opportunities and our services by either simply making an appointment to meet with one of our advisors who will offer you the personal advice and guidance you require in finding the opportunity most suitable to you. 

We offer appointments in our main office in Sunderland or at one of our outreach points in the Coalfields or Washington area of the city.

Alternatively you may choose to view our opportunities on our web site, which can be found at www.do-it.org.uk.  This is a brilliant way to view the many opportunities available in your own time and at your own convenience and you even have the option of applying on line.

Once an application has been made to volunteer with an organisation then we will make the initial contact with the organisation on your behalf.  The organisation will then get in touch with you direct to arrange a suitable time for you to meet and discuss opportunities and if suitable arrange a start date.  If the placement appears unsuitable we can then offer further support to find another opportunity.

Once you begin your volunteer you may also be interested in accessing the training opportunities, we have that relate to your volunteering.  New opportunities are being developed all the time and we endeavour to help you access the training that is right for you.  Examples of the training that has been provided before has included ICT, company law, first aid, confidence building etc. 

If you feel you could benefit from volunteering or would like to find out more then contact us on the details below. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Volunteer Centre Sunderland

4 Toward Road

City Centre

Sunderland

SR1 2QF

(0191)   567 8902

Email:   sunderlandvcg@aol.com

Web:      www.volunteersunderland.org.uk

IS YOUR PROJECT IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS?

North East Cares may be able to help.

North East Cares is one of 21 Cares projects in the UK developed by Business in the Community, aimed at giving employees the chance to make a difference in their local communities through hands on action.

OUR VALUES

• North East Cares believes that giving time in the local community is an essential element of corporate and community development;

• North East Cares believes in sourcing volunteering opportunities that are flexibly scheduled for the volunteer and meet real needs in the local community;

• North East Cares believe that its activities help companies realise the potential of their employees and make a positive impact in the local community;

North East Cares believes in inclusiveness.  Each person has an equal right to give their time.

We are currently looking for volunteering opportunities for company employees who live or work in the North East.  This could be a task such as painting, decorating,  creating a garden, clearing an overgrown site for use as a play area, painting a fence; in fact, we will consider any task or project which could be completed by a group of willing volunteers within 1 or 2 days.

Finally, because the people we provide are all volunteers, we cannot promise that your request for help will be taken up, but we will do our best on your behalf to persuade local businesses and employees to take up the challenge.