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Volunteering News
Last update: September 2006
Articles in this newsletter:
» Year of the Volunteer 2005 (YV05)
» Promotions: Putting volunteering in the picture
» Volunteers Tea and National Volunteers Week
» One Day Events: Do-It 'Valentines Day' Social
» One Day Events: Make A Difference Day (MADD)
» Training
Year of the Volunteer 2005 (YV05)
2005 was an extremely significant for volunteers and volunteering. The Home Office designated it as the national Year of the Volunteer, co-ordinated by CSV and Volunteering England. The aim was to encourage more people, from all sectors of society, to volunteer. The campaign also helped to increase volunteering opportunities within the public and voluntary sector, and to acknowledge the efforts made by volunteers all over the country. Since voluntary work encompasses an enormous range of activities, each month throughout 2005 was allocated a particular theme (see below).
To bring volunteering to the forefront of public attention, local celebrities and VIPs were encouraged to show their support by volunteering for various organisations. At VAEF, the Look Who's Volunteering! 2005 campaign involved various local personalities giving up their valuable time to volunteer for organisations throughout the Epping Forest district.
January (Health)
Aidan Thomas, Chief Executive of Epping Forest PCT spent a morning befriending patients at St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping
February (Youth and Children)
Jessica Broider (Millennium Volunteer) was profiled volunteering at Norwood Toy Library, Barkingside
March (Older People)
Jack Parsley (Member of Uttlesford Young Essex Assembly) spent a day with VAEF's FreeFall Project to assist older people in their homes.
April (Justice)
Inspector Piers Quinnell of Loughton Police Division spent an afternoon removing graffiti in Waltham Abbey with the Epping Forest Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership Graffiti Busting Team.
May (Environment)
Chairman of VAEF Trustee Board Patricia Wiltshire spent the day as a Grounds Person with the Field Studies Council at Epping Forest Field Centre.
June (Recognition)
VAEF held its annual Volunteers' Celebration Tea at Theydon Bois Village Hall, to celebrate the achievements of local volunteers over the past year.
July (Veterans)
81-year-old Ivy Ran was profiled volunteering as a Medical Loan Support Worker at the Epping Forest Branch of the British Red Cross in Loughton. Ivy started volunteering at the age of 15 and volunteered with the Red Cross during the Second World War.
August (Sport)
Sally Yeoman (Chief Officer, VAEF) attended the launch of the Debden United Project. The project, part-funded by West Ham United Football Club, runs weekly football sessions with the aim of tackling youth exclusion and anti-social behaviour.
September (Disability)
Cllr Brian Sandler (Chairman, Epping Forest District Council) spent a few hours volunteering at Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs.
October (Citizenship and Community)
David Butler (Principal, Epping Forest College) went to Youth Plus, a social club for disabled and non-disabled young people.
November (Europe)
Richard Howett MEP visited Operation Christmas Child run by Samaritan's Purse where volunteers pack and check Christmas gift boxes destined for deprived children in Eastern Europe.
December (Animals)
VAEF staff volunteered to walk rescued dogs at the Retired Greyhound Trust in Waltham Abbey.
Promotions
Putting volunteering in the picture
On Friday 19th November at the Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) offices, Cllr Richard Morgan (Chairman of EFDC) proudly cut the red ribbon surrounding a display of photographs as he announced the opening of an exhibition depicting volunteers in action. Since then 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.
Most of the photographs were taken by long-standing volunteer, 84 year old Evelyn Lothian, a former inhabitant of Coopersale, Essex. The colourful photographs show volunteers at a variety of local organisations including Chigwell Disabled Group, Essex Wildlife Trust, and the Retired Greyhound Trust.
The exhibition continues to tour in 2006 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.
The photographic exhibition is at the following locations during late 2006:
August: Chigwell Library
September: Out-patients Department Waiting Area, St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping
October: Epping Adult Education Centre, St. John's Road, Epping
November: Epping Forest College, Loughton
December: To be arranged. Possibly Fishers' Green (near Waltham Abbey), Lee Valley Regional Park
Volunteers Tea and National Volunteers Week
Our annual Volunteers Tea provides 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. Organisations are asked to nominate volunteers in a four categories. Nominated volunteers receive certificates of appreciation then enjoy refreshments and entertainment. It is always moving and heart-warming to hear the stories of dedication of otherwise ordinary people.
On Friday 2nd June, our annual event to celebrate volunteers' achievements took place at Theydon Bois Village Hall. The event was held to tie in with the celebration of 2006 Volunteers' Week. The event recognized the invaluable contribution made by volunteers to voluntary groups in and around the Epping Forest District. Cllr Ann Haigh, Madam Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, presented around 90 volunteers with certificates of appreciation. From these volunteers, awards were presented in four special categories:
Youth (16-24 years)
Daniel Evans from Woodford who volunteers for The Chestnut Cat Sanctuary in Thomwood, Epping.
Greatest Impact
Pat Thompson from Waltham Abbey who volunteers for Haven House Foundation.
Long-serving
Marjorie Manning from Loughton who volunteers for Loughton Stroke Club.
Overcame Adversity
Lisa Jacobson from Loughton who volunteers for Home-Start Epping Forest.
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.
The guests also had the pleasure of listening to a performance by the Three Valley Singers. After the presentations, guests were treated to the afternoon tea. Around 130 guests attended, and over 30 voluntary organisations attended. At VAEF, we were delighted by the positive feedback received. Many organisations felt that the event had not only been an excellent opportunity to say thank you to their volunteers, but was also a good place to network and exchange ideas with the each other.
For those of you who attended, thank you for making this year's event so successful and we look forward to seeing you again next year. To all those who were unable to attend - we would be delighted to see you, as next year promises to be even better!
One-Day Events
Every year, the Volunteer Centre organises one-off volunteering days. As well as 'seasoned' volunteers, the events attract people who haven't volunteered before but who want a 'taster'. Many then decide to volunteer long-term because they have had so much fun!
In 2004, we held our first Valentines 'Do-it' Social. This was a day of volunteering for single people with the opportunity to socialise after the event. Volunteers worked in the fruit orchard at the Lambourne End Centre near Abridge during the day then retired to play games and toast marsh mellows on an open fire in the evening.
The Lambourne End Centre is run by Aston Mansfield, a charity that teaches children and disabled people about farming and other rural skills. The team laid a path to make the orchard accessible for wheelchair users. They also transplanted laurel bushes to create a windbreak around the swimming pool, and weeded and mulched.
As befitted the 14th February, two volunteers who hadn't met before, swapped numbers, making Suzie Brutnell, who organised the day declare that she felt like Davina McCall! Farm Manager, Tony Sharps says "I enjoyed meeting new people and admiring the physical results of the fruits of their labours!" While John Utting, one of the ten volunteers who took part says "It was absolutely brilliant and I'd love to do-it again!"
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 always organises a MADD event.
In 2005, an energetic team from Lloyds TSB Bank donned their wellies to clear a canal at the Royal Gunpowder Mills (RGM) 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.
The RGM is an important historical and natural site. It is open to the public as a visitor attraction during weekends in the summer season. The Mills relies on a dedicated team of volunteers to maintain, develop and restore the buildings, grounds and exhibitions. The extra help provided by the MADD team was greatly appreciated.
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".
We will be holding MADD 2006 at the RGM on Saturday 11th November. For further information, please telephone 01992 564256.
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 hedge and replaced with a new hedgerow. Garden seats were repainted with wood stain so that they looked like new, and a large was pot planted with colourful flowers.
Jacqui Webb (Assistant Chief Officer of VAEF) says "Everyone enjoyed the day including the delicious lunch provided by NCH. There was a Ground Force style rush to complete everything before the end of the day, but the transformation was completed and it looks amazing. The outside of the Centre is now far more homely and welcoming for visitors". Lorraine Bendon (Deputy Project Manager at NCH Loughton Family Centre) says " The volunteers and staff recruited by the Volunteer Centre worked so hard to make a difference to our Centre and the results are marvellous. We will enjoy seeing the garden evolve as the plants and shrubs mature".
Click here for the CSV website which provides further details about MADD.
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. In February 2006, Volunteers Plus, in conjunction with the Mencap Mars and Venus Project, ran a training course for volunteers with a learning disability. The training took place on three consecutive Thursday afternoons and was called 'How To Be A Star At Volunteering'. The course focussed on social skills for volunteering, including:
- Self-confidence
- Team building
- Assertiveness
- Listening skills.
The course was really appreciated by the eight volunteers who attended. Fun was had by all! The volunteers will be able to use their skills in their volunteer placements. At the end of the course, they were presented with certificates by Derek MacNab (Head of Leisure Services, Epping Forest District Council). Derek's department provided funding for part of the course.
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