Become a Member of the Solihull Volunteer Management Forum

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

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

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

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

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.