Volunteer in Solihull

Big Society & Volunteer Management

2011-01-13T13:01:00.000Z

What does the Big Society mean to you? Are you clear what it is? How will it affect you as a Volunteer Manager? What will it mean to you as a Volunteer? How will it help you influence what happens in your own neighbourhood?

We are told that there will be 5000 Neighbourhood Organisers recruited and trained, but that they will not be paid. Who will be identifying them, what will be their mandate and why would they do it without pay? How will they work within the existing structures and how can we as volunteer managers work with them?

How will the planned introduction of a national civic service programme affect us as volunteer managers? If there is an increase in volunteers, do we have a need for them and do we have the capacity to manage them? Will the cost of management out- weigh the benefits to the organisation?

With the emphasis on volunteering, will there be a requirement for charities and community organisations to increase their volunteer numbers in exchange for funding for their activities?

If, as is expected, voluntary organisations will be delivering extra services, will funding be available?

These are the types of questions we will be discussing at our next forum meeting which will be held at the Fordbridge Centre on Friday January 21^st.

Mark Rogers, Chief Executive of Solihull Council will be joining us for the first part of the meeting and will participate in the discussion and answer any questions which you might like to put to him. For those of you who are unable to join us, but who have a question which you would like to put to Mark Rogers, please comment with details below and we will raise the question on your behalf.

Just Employment: A Guide to Employing Staff in Faith-based Projects

2010-09-17T18:30:00.000+01:00

A guide on employing staff and recruiting volunteers in faith-based projects has been published giving practical advice, case studies and examples and over 50 templates for letters and documents. The guide can be found HERE

Pinpointing the "red tape" burdens which could be lifted

2010-09-17T18:25:00.000+01:00

A number of sector responses to the Big Society De-regulation Taskforce have appeared, giving input on the top red tape burdens for voluntary organisations. Volunteering England highlights some of the barriers reported to them:

CRB checks and the Independent Safeguarding Authority
Insurance and mileage rates for volunteer drivers
The "benefits barrier" facing unemployed volunteers receiving benefits
Confusion over how the new visa system applies to volunteers
Ensuring that the Borders Act isn't a burden on volunteers and organisations
Reducing the percetion of the threat of litigation facing volunteers

Young Person's Volunteering Fund, SITA Trust Uk

2010-09-17T16:52:00.000+01:00

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for volunteering projects owned by 14-25 year olds. This fund has been created to assist young people aged 14-25 to volunteer their time to create or enhance recreation or leisure facilities that can be enjoyed by the wider community.

SITA Trust can provide funding towards the resources required to transform a derelict piece of land into a community green space or give a local community centre a much needed make-over. Funding can be sought to provide necessary equipment such as tools, paint, plants, fencing and materials.

The Volunteer Management Portal

2010-09-17T16:44:00.000+01:00

The Portal is a website for anyone who works with volunteers and within the profession of volunteer management. You can use it to search for support, training and development resources to help you develop your skills, improve your volunteer programme and work more effectively with volunteers.

What's on the Portal?

Training providers
Consultants
Publications, resources and networks
Peer-support
Organisations providing organisational health checks
Organisations providing direct services
Organisations providing information, advice and guidance

Managers of volunteers under valued and under funded

2010-09-17T16:34:00.000+01:00

A newly published report reveals the need for more training and development for managers of volunteers. It shows that nearly half of the people who manage volunteers have not received any training that would help them in their work, despite the fact that volunteers are crucial to the Government's Big Society.

The full report can be read HERE

One-stop source of volunteering research

2010-09-17T16:29:00.000+01:00

The Institute of Volunteering Research, the research arm of Volunteering England, has launched an evidence bank for volunteering research. The bank currently contains all of its own publicly available research produced since 1997, and will include research frpm other bodies later. Entries can be searched by keywords, or by one of 30 themes. Read more HERE

Website for the Institute for Volunteer Research can be accessed HERE

Become a Member of the Solihull Volunteer Management Forum

2010-08-20T23:08:00.002+01:00

Solihull Volunteer Management Forum meets to support Volunteer Managers to increase, develop and co-ordinate volunteering within Solihull; to share good practice and knowledge; as well as increase and improve skills base through appropriate training and skills sharing.

By becoming a member you will have access to meetings and minutes, promotional activities, participate in training activities and networking.

Want to become a member of the Solihull Volunteer Management Forum? Download a Membership Form HERE

Celebrating Volunteering

2010-08-02T12:02:00.003+01:00

How do you thank your volunteers? National Volunteers' Week was the perfect opportunity for the Solihull Volunteer Management Forum to play its part in thanking some of the people who volunteer within Solihull.

Our contribution to the week long national celebrations of volunteering was a celebration event at the Ramada Hotel, Solihull, on 1st June. The conference room and facilities were provided free of charge by the hotel.

The aim of the event was to thank local volunteers for their much valued work and to raise the profile of voluntary community groups and charities in Solihull, who couldn't maintain their current levels of provision without their volunteer workforce.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Ian Courts, came along to present certificates of appreciation to all that attended. The Lawrie School of Dance very kindly provided the entertainment and four local ladies volunteered their services as beauty therapists to pamper our guests at no cost.

Organisations that attended, from some 600 in Solihull's third sector, included Making Space, Sustain, Solihull Rethink, Age Concern, Voice UK, Chelmsley Wood Advice and Resource Agency (CARA), Cancer Research UK, Park View Day Centre, Mobility Advice Line and 20 other agencies. One staff member and one volunteer were invited to attend from each organisation.

The Chairman of Sustain and the Lord Mayor spoke of the value of volunteering to the community, the inspirational role of volunteering, and it's contribution to the local economy, in terms of the roles and activities that volunteers undertake which complement statutory services.

Opportunities to Volunteer as an Environmental Champion

2010-07-29T19:10:00.005+01:00

Solihull's Environmental Champions tackle the environmental issues that affect everyone in the Solihull borough, graffiti, littering, cutting back vegetation, pond clearing, painting play equipment, to name just a few. Anyone can be an Environment Champion, the only requirement is an interest in protecting and improving Solihull's environment, and the quality of life of those living within it. Over the coming months the Environmental Champions have a number of projects planned and would welcome your involvement in any project which interests you. Why not join them at one of the following?:

29th July - 10am to 12 noon - Community Clear up of Dorridge Park
11th August - Plane Grove - Replacing a shrub bed

15th August - 10.30 to 1.30pm - Community Clear up of Babbs Mill Park
2^nd September – National Grid replanting Laburnum Avenue shrub beds
3^rd September – Berkswell project day with National Grid
7th September - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Community Clear Up of Malvern and Brueton Park
8^th September – Celebration Evening for Volunteers 4.30pm to 6.30pm
11^th September – Hillfields Park – Bulb planting project under the umbrella of the Solihull Festivals
16^th September – Phase II of Sandhills pond clearing
21^st September – 2pm to 3.30pm clean up of open space at the end of Horton Road
22^nd September – National Grid Monkspath Bulb Planting and Clean up
25^th September – Babbs Mill Park – Bulb planting project under the umbrella of the Solihull Festivals.
7th October - 10.30am to 12.30pm - Community Clear Up of Elmdon Park
13^th October – national Grid helping with Golden Jubilee Gardens
14^th October – 10.30am to 12.30pm – Pride in Olton Community Clean Up
16^th October – 10.30am to 12.30pm – Community Clear Up of Hillfields Park

To discuss the projects please contact Trish Willetts on 0121 704 6534. Alternatively you could e-mail pwilletts@solihull.gov.uk

Volunteering has helped give me back my confidence

2010-07-22T11:15:00.006+01:00

People volunteer for a myriad of different reasons. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing with you the experiences of some of the people who volunteer in Solihull. This first post is from a Volunteer of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

"When I was asked to write an article on my own personal reasons why I became a volunteer at the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust I was delighted as it was my golden opportunity to share with others the wonderful opportunity of voluntary work for those that have been not only ill, but mentally ill such as myself. As a schizophrenia sufferer I was sent through an agency whose task it is to find voluntary work to help those who've been ill recover and get back into the swing of things.

The staff at the Parkridge Centre – Solihull have been a pillar of strength and have extended the hand of friendship so freely that going to work is one of the highlights of the week –fact! I have found that not only do they give me credit for what I am capable of, they actually try to save up work for the next time I come into the office. The work is fun, interesting, a wide variance of people and someone who is always willing to help if I am unsure about anything.

It is directly due to the National Health Service and the team at the Wildlife Trust that I feel my confidence returning. I feel less isolated and feel worthwhile again as doing voluntary work helps make me feel I am contributing. Thanks to all very very much."

More details of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust can be found on their website
http://www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk

Small things matter

2009-11-06T11:32:00.004Z

How many times have you come across small gestures of generosity, the help and support that changed somebody's life? We all experience and know about it. The nice neighbour who holds our spare keys in case we get locked out, the person on the bus or in the queue who starts an encouraging conversation on a bad day, the many nice smiles strangers give us, the neighbour who takes our parcels in when we are at work.

All these little acts of kindness happen all around us, yet we often only hear about the many negative things . Wouldn't we enjoy reading about amazing little gestures that change the world?

At the Solihull Volunteer Managers Forum(VMF) we believe that all these lovely people who brighten other people's days should be celebrated. So for next year's National Volunteer Week( 01 June- 7th June 2010) we are celebrating the SMALL THINGS THAT MATTER.

So please share with us your story of the small gestures of kindness that you have experienced or been involved with.