Volunteering News
Topics covered in this section:
» Putting volunteering in the picture
» Recognition Events
» One-Off Volunteering Events
» Employer Supported Volunteering
»Volunteer Training
Promotions
Putting volunteering in the picture
Epping Forest Volunteer Centre is proud of their photographic exhibition depicting volunteers in action. The exhibition has toured numerous locations, increasing awareness of the wide range of volunteering that is carried out in the Epping Forest District, and encouraging more people to volunteer.
The exhibition continues to tour in 2009/10 so look out for it at a venue near you.
Perhaps your company has a reception or canteen area where it would make a smart display?
If you have any suggestions as to where it could be placed safely and viewed for at least a month, please give us a call on 01992 564256.
As well as the photographic exhibition Harlow and Epping Forest Volunteer Centres have also promoted their services at various community events and schools and colleges in the local area.
The benefits of volunteering were championed in Harlow Town Centre in June as National Volunteer Week was marked up and down the country. Staff from the Volunteer Centre Harlow in partnership with Harlow College, set up a stall to extol the virtues of giving a little time to good causes. Volunteering Opportunities were advertised for the local area to draw students into finding more out about giving their time to help others.
Recognition Events
Our Volunteer Recognition Events have proved popular in the past and provide the opportunity to recognise the thousands of people who volunteer in and around the Epping Forest District and to thank some outstanding volunteers in particular.
These events have taken the form of social evenings and a special Awards event. Details of recent events are listed below:
2010
2010 Volunteer Awards
Wednesday 9th June at Theydon Bois Village Hall saw VAEF celebrating the work of volunteers. It was an exciting Mardi Gras afternoon, giving an opportunity for voluntary groups to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by the volunteers who help them.
This year was a great success including music from Jose Zalba and the Tradicional Cubano Trio, contributions from our Artability / Music group, and of course the presentation of awards themselves, recognising our exceptional volunteers.
Jose Zalba from the Tradicional Cubano Trio
Artability Music Group supported by Allstars Singing Tuition
The group performed 'Angels' featuring solo vocals from Ricky C.
All volunteers were presented with an Achievement Award during the afternoon by Councillor Anne Grigg, Chair of Epping Forest District Council.
After the outstanding performances, the Special Recognition Awards were presented by as follows:
The organisation Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by Kay Ericson, British Red Cross and VAEF Trustee:
Winner -
Jennie Hart
Homestart Epping Forest
Runner Up -
Ruth Samways
Accuro Care Services
Young Volunteer of the Year presented by Caroline Chapman:
Winner -
Ewen McGuinness
Canal Boat Project
Runner Up - Iolanda Fasulo, Royal Gunpowder Mills. (Award collected on her behalf)
Against the Odds presented by Stuart McMillan, Essex Fire and Safety Service:
Winner -
Patrick Collier
Redbridge Night Shelter
Runner Up -
Robert Allen
VAEF Befrienders Project
Outstanding Contribution Award presented by Chris Parle from Higgins Construction
Winner - Sheila Nisbet
Redbridge Night Shelter
Runner Up - Sheila Loft
British Red Cross
(Award collected on her behalf)
2009
2009 Quiz Night
This year, VAEF decided to try a different event for Volunteers & the VAEF member organisations they volunteer for. In June, 11 teams made up of volunteers, managers and supporters raising money for 8 different charities entered the first VAEF Fundraising Quiz Night.
The door takings was the prize fund, to be donated to a charity within the Epping Forest District. The winning team at the end of the evening donated the £320 takings to the Chestnut Cat Sanctuary in Thornwood. Click here to go to the Chestnut Cat Sanctuary website.
Full House
Question Master and her Assistant
The Victors,
The Chestnut Cat Sanctuary
It was hoped that the evening would be a fun way for charities to socialise with their volunteers, expressing thanks for their support and perhaps raise some funds and from the feedback received, we think we achieved these objectives.
But for those of you who like the Volunteers Tea - don't worry, it will return in 2010.
Volunteers Tea
The Volunteers Tea has been a long standing event usually held during Volunteers Week, a national week celebrating volunteers and volunteering promoted by CSV and hosted by Voluntary Action Epping Forest to give its member organisations an opportunity to thank its volunteers for their hard work and dedication. We are delighted and grateful for the recent sponsorship and ongoing support from Higgins for this event. In the past, organisations have been able to nominate some of their volunteers for Special Recognition under a number of Award categories. Details of recent ceremonies and winners are listed below:
2008
The number and standard nominations for this year were so high that it was decided to recognise 2 nominees per category.
Those who won the awards and those who were 'highly commended' are listed below. The photograph shows all the award winners with Chris Parle from Higgins, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr John Knapman and Chief Officer of VAEF, Jacqui Foile.
Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Eve Langton - Haven House Children's Hospice
Highly Commended - David Ashworth - VAEF Free Fall
Young Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Alissa Plumb - Chestnut Cat Sanctuary
Highly Commended - Ricky Conrad - VAEF Mow & Grow
Against the Odds Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Malcolm Ward - Royal Gunpowder Mills
Highly Commended - Kathleen Challis - Macmillan West Essex Cancer Information Service
Outstanding Contribution Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Eleonor Spencer - Victim Support
Highly Commended - Peter Spence - Epping Forest Country Care
2007
Eileen Jones, was awarded the title of Overall Winner for 2007, Volunteer of the Year for the many devoted years of service to Buckhurst Court Day Club.
Other winners were:
Young Volunteer - Jenni Ashford of Teen Aim
Greatest Impact - Bob Day of Victim Support
Overcoming Adversity - Michael Conway of Chigwell Disabled Group
2006
Marjorie Manning was surprised and delighted to be chosen as Volunteer of the Year 2006. Marjorie was presented with a beautiful, star-shaped, engraved glass trophy by Mr. Chris Parle from sponsors Higgins Group plc.
Other winners were:
Young Volunteer - Daniel Evans of Chestnut Cat Sanctuary
Greatest Impact - Pat Thompson of Haven House Foundation
Overcoming Adversity - Lisa Jacobson of Home-Start Epping Forest
One-Off Volunteering Events
Make A Difference Day (MADD)
MADD is a national event which takes place every October. Organisations across the UK galvanise local people into action for one day of volunteering. Click here for the CSV website which provides further details about MADD across the UK. The Volunteer Centre Epping Forest always organises a MADD event. We have organised a number of events over recent years, see below for details.
MADD 2009
Make A Difference Day (MADD) is a national campaign to promote volunteering and every year the Volunteer Centre Epping Forest, part of Voluntary Action Epping Forest, organises a day of community volunteering to make a difference in the Epping Forest area
This year, over 45 volunteers arrived to help out at Lambourne End Outdoor Activity Centre, last Friday, 30th October, to prepare for the BIG BONFIRE PARTY on 7th November. Lambourne End is a charity that aims to help children and young people build a future by providing high quality personal development experiences. This unique venue challenges young people to look at the way they view themselves, the world in which they live and the people with whom they share it. It works with children from inner London and the Home Counties, some of which have never previously experienced a rural setting or live farm animals. It is also works with disabled children and is looking to increase its services and facilities for youngsters using wheelchairs.
The BIG BONFIRE PARTY is a vital source of revenue for Lambourne End and the volunteers, of all ages, were delighted to help carve the pumpkins for the spooky trail in the caving system, make paper lanterns to light a path through the woods to the story-telling grotto and assist with the construction of a 15’ willow figure that will be the centre piece of the bonfire!!
Tony Sharpe, Farm Manager of Lambourne End said, “We are so impressed with the enthusiasm of the volunteers. We had a fantastic day – when can you all come again?!” Jacqui Foile, Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Epping Forest said, “Great fun was had by all proving that volunteering can not only make a difference but can be an extremely worthwhile and fun activity. Everyone should have a go!”
If you are interested in volunteering, whether for one-off events or for slightly more regular volunteering, contact the Volunteer Centre Epping Forest on 01992 564256 or visit
www.do-it.org.uk to search for interesting opportunities.
Some of the many volunteers, including Jacqui Foile, Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Epping Forest (far left) and Sally Panrucker, Learning Disabilities Volunteer Coordinator (second right).
MADD 2008
Oak View School is a school that takes children from the age of 3 to 19 with moderate to severe learning needs and mental disabilities. It is a school that VAEF's Volunteer Centre have provided volunteer teaching assistants to for a number of years so when it came to deciding what to do for Make A Difference Day this year, Sally Panrucker, Volunteer Centre Manager, decided to approach Oak View to see if there was a suitable project for MADD.
'After several discussions with Deputy Head Teacher Dianne Ryan, we decided to plant a sensory garden for the children and paint signs to display in the garden to tell the children about the plants as well as painting 2 existing planters in the children's play area with meadow scenes to brighten them up' said Sally. The Epping Forest Guardian newspaper advertised the event and we were inundated with offers of help.
On a fine, bright Saturday morning, nearly 60 keen volunteers were split into 2 teams - The Gardeners and The Painters and much activity ensued before a break for a sandwich lunch and a further few hours in the afternoon to complete 3 planted beds and 14 wooden panels, beautifully painted.
The day was an enormous success and thanks are due to all the fantastic volunteers and a few other special people:- to Graham Sandberg for all his support throughout and for organising the wood, Kate Bissell for designing the planting plan, the Murphy family for buying the plants and keeping us all in tea and coffee all day, Sheila for opening and closing, Karen for managing the team of Gardeners, Steve for his patience in cutting out the wood, Nicky for managing the team of painters, Epping Forest Countrycare for providing and delivering some of the tools, John and Liam at Homebase, Loughton for providing some of the paint, Judith and Sarah for the sandwiches, Charlie and Caroline for organising the Vinvolved team and Emily Roberts of Epping Forest Guardian for her enthusiastic digging and making a video package of our day, www.guardian-series.co.uk/video/videonews/58047/read/
Below – some of the volunteers and their respective works of art.
The panels were attached to the planters and a bit of weeding undertaken prior to the Grand Unveiling Ceremony which took place earlier this year.
This photo shows Sandra Winter, Head Teacher, Patrick Arnold, Assistant Chief Officer of VAEF and Chairman of EFDC Cllr John Knapman assisting two pupils with the formal ribbon cutting.
MADD 2007
Volunteer Centre Epping Forest and Volunteer Centre Harlow in collaboration with Epping Forest Country Care organised a community day of volunteering at Roughtally Wood, North Weald on the 10th November 2007. The day was a hugely enjoyable experience with volunteers helping to conserve the landscape and wildlife habitats of the forest and improve public access to the country side.
The day was topped off with a bonfire and cheesy jacket potatoes enjoyed by all. Paul Hewitt of Epping Forest Country Care said “Events like this make all the difference. We have cleared a huge area which means the native primroses have a chance now! And it’s all thanks to this group of volunteers!”
Below are some of the volunteers getting stuck in!
MADD 2006
We returned to the Royal Gunpowder Mills in 2006 and helped them with general path clearing and also the cleaning and clearing out of rooms. Volunteers who assisted with this day were people from VAEF and also volunteers from the Volunteers Plus and Mental Health projects.
Jacqui Foile, VAEF Chief Officer presented certificates to all volunteers at the end of a very successful day.
Thank you to all of those involved.
MADD 2005
In 2005, an energetic team from Lloyds TSB Bank donned their wellies to clear a canal at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey. Staff from the Volunteer Centre also took part. During the day, despite the cold, the volunteers cheerfully worked clearing saplings and scrub from the now dry canal network along the wildlife walk, thereby helping to prevent it turning into woodland. The clearance will create open wet corridors encouraging water voles and possibly otters. It will also create further nesting and feeding opportunities for waterfowl, waders and other birds, plus encourage a more diverse range of plants in the spring and summer.
Clive Snell (Business Development Manager, Lloyds TSB) was really impressed with the day. He says "It was great that everyone pulled together in an environment outside of work. Lloyds TSB is always keen to support this type of community event". Volunteers from the bank were also keen to say how much they enjoyed the day: "It was good fun, hard work, and satisfying to see the difference". Another commented, "I had a fantastic day, and will be coming back for more". Jacqui Webb (Assistant Chief Officer, VAEF) says "As well as being a great help to the voluntary organisation concerned, group volunteering is an excellent team building experience".
MADD 2004
In 2004, we teamed up with NCH Family Centre in Loughton to organise the transformation of the Centre's front garden. Volunteers worked in glorious sunshine clearing weeds and overgrown garden plants from two flower beds either side of the Centre's front door, putting in new plants, laying a semi permeable membrane then covering it with bark to offset the new plants. Tired rosebushes were removed from the front hedges and replaced with a new hedgerow. Garden seats were repainted with wood stain so that they looked like new, and a large pot was planted with colourful flowers.
Jacqui Foile (Chief Officer of VAEF) says 'Everyone enjoyed the day including the delicious lunch provided by NCH. There was a Ground Fore style rush to complete everything before the end of the day, but the transformation was completed and it looked amazing. The outside of the Centre is now far more homely and welcoming for visitors'. Lorraine Bend (Deputy Project Manager at NCH Loughton Family Centre) says 'The volunteers and staff recruited by the Volunteer Centre worked so hard to made a difference to our Centre and the results are marvellous. We will enjoy seeing the garden evolve as the plants and shrubs mature'.
Employer Supported Volunteering
We are very keen to increase our involvement with local organisations whereby, as part of a professional development programme, employees are seconded for a short period of time (from 1 day to 1 week) to a local charity that need practical tasks undertaken. We are very interested to hear from local organisations and charge a very modest rate to develop a suitable team-building activity while the organisation achieves its corporate social responsibilities.
Please contact 01992 564 256 for further details.
Volunteer Training
Most of our volunteer training needs are met by the charity Voluntary Sector Training (VST). We recommend VST to our member organisations. VST's website can be reached by clicking here.
However, the Volunteer Centre does organise some specialist training. The Volunteers Plus Learning Disability Project, in conjunction with Linked Employment runs a six week 'next step' programme. The course covers subjects from 'rights and responsibilities' to health and safety. The programme is designed to build confidence and help them enjoy volunteering.
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