All kinds of volunteering can make a difference to society, but opportunities like these have community enrichment at their core.

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Monday Dec 19, 2011

Happy Christmas

Apologies for not blogging of late, I've been so busy not sure where to start.

Since the Feile I've been involved in the Gas Yard 'Halloween Fun Day' which was a lot of fun and very busy, as I was on the door taking entrance fees, then throwing spiders at the children to try scare them during the story time (Someones had to do it. ha) and letting people know what was happening throughout the day. Before all of that though was the preperations and trying to get technology to work which was to be honest more annoying than fun; due to not being able to get a laptop to play sound track for the Halloween story time, but got there in the end.  here is a picture of me at the fun day.

Other than Halloween, where to start....

I found out 2 weeks ago that I got a distinction in my Youth in Community Leadership FETAC Level 5 - the equivalent to an A Level in England. So thank you to everyone at the Gas Yard who helped me with information to do it. I just have to finish off my campaign and lobbying now so fingers crossed for that. In the new year I will be doing OCN Trainer and OCN examiner training so that I'm sure will keep me busy if all goes well.

For a while though I've also been conducting a volunteer survey on the Volunteer Investment Project that I'm with at the Gas Yard. It has been interesting to do and I even completed the questionnaire myself so I know what I'm asking other volunteers to do. I even gave myself the title of Volunteer Development Officer not that the Volunteer Coordinator disagreed with it ha!

We had a volunteer night too at start of the month so that volunteers could meet each other. We had a little award ceremony for volunteers who took part in 'Lone Worker' training that I took part in October, was really interesting and useful to do.Not strictly volunteering but something I got involved in through volunteering with CEDAR Foundation.

Since October I've been doing Dance inclusive for those with disabilities called Illuminous Soul. So far we've had a few classes and an intense residential with a performance at the end which was fantastic. HopefullyI  will carry on after the New Year not sure what it will bring but it's been really good for me and I was able to show off my new moves at the Gas Yard Christmas Night out last week. Just shows what volunteering can lead to sometimes. So after all that I would just like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks for reading this.

Posted by Moira ( 6:01 PM )
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Wednesday Aug 17, 2011

Feile 2011 - Epic

I really don't know where to start with Feile 2011. I was so much more involved this year and more to grips with everything - it was amazing. Hours and hours of volunteering from volunteer stewarding to volunteering behind the scenes and meeting people from all over the world.

So after the Bikers Festival 'Roaring Meg' it was all go with going through evaluation forms and then onto finding volunteers for all the events. There was so much going on it was unbelievable with Over 100 events since the Roaring Meg and ending with a fantastic very wet Feile Finale. It was amazing Roaring meg selling merchandise, raising money for charity, getting sun burnt and music from the Band Skazz you couldn't beat, it or so I thought. The next event for Feile that I volunteered at (Well I couldn't volunteer at them all) was a Feile version of the TV show 'Take Me Out' and all I had to do was take tickets on the door and sell the few that were left, easy yes? It was until you had to turn people away then I had to find men that would volunteer to be part of 'Take Me out' not so easy but all good fun. Was a bit different in that we had a few rounds and 2 rounds for women and 2 rounds for men. Very busy but fun night.

So after that my volunteering was behind the scenes making sure volunteers knew what events they were volunteering for, completing the Roaring Meg evaluations, making up signs for Feile, enrolling new volunteers, making sure volunteers knew where and when they had to be during the events. Making up Luncheon vouchers for volunteers for the Feile Finale weekend to ensure everyone was fed over the long hours in the sunshine and the rain.

During the Feile Finale I was helping out at the fun day with setup and with running one of the activities at the fun day and taking donations for Feile, which wasn't so long a day which was a good thing as Monday's Feile Finale was fast approaching. I started at 2 and it didn't finish until midnight. During Monday I did work in Volunteer Investment Project office and counted up donations made for Feile just from that afternoon, then put together notices for to let people know there was to be no glass brought into the Gas Yard. Then I ended up on reception from what turned into a few minutes into couple hours got to love Feile time so busy, answering the phone to just those looking to see what was on for the rest of the day and what bands were playing on the night time.

Then straight onto sign up for Kids 'Jog In the Bog' Fun Run, which really started when was on reception as I was given the job of texting volunteers as to where they were to be positioned and telling staff when I caught them where they had to be at what time. The sign up for the 'Jog In the Bog' wasn't to bad but had lots of people signing up so again was non stop. Then I had to eat couldn't do anything else, so quick stop for sandwich and then back to the madness outside in the rain at the Lost children / information area, what a busy night but got to see all the acts too so just a perfect spot. At the end of the night I got autograph and my picture taken with Rubber Bandits after watching them and Cashier No9 just to name a couple, live at the Gas Yard Feile, so all in all fantastic Feile.

Posted by Moira ( 11:44 AM )
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Thursday Aug 04, 2011

From unemployment to volunteering to employment....

During those dark dreary, post-University days that move so slowly through the Autumn and Winter that I, like so many others thought to myself, 'Where have all my friends gone?', 'What am I doing?' and 'Was all that money really worth it?' I was bored and unemployed. I left University and searched for a job for months and was ultimately left demoralised and unsuccessful. The abstract thoughts of working were too much for a brain and body that was rarely up before 10am. I needed to do something.

So, as I am now so accustomed to, I searched Do-it, for volunteering opportunities in my local area, and thus a new journey began. I got in touch with the local Youth Action Team and swiftly joined; motivated by communication, drive and possibilities, it was exciting. Here I spent time working in a team of other young people, putting together events, fundraising, sharing ideas and occasionally going to the pub. What a life!

A fellow Youth Action Team member was living away from home and volunteering full time with CSV, this sounded intriguing. I wanted to move out, but couldn't get a job; yeah a full fridge is brilliant but a life away from home is better. I knew that volunteering full time for a year would give me the skills and experience to move forward and hopefully never lie on the sofa, slouched like a dying bear at 2:20 in the afternoon watching Come Dine With Me... again.

So it was that I too applied for the CSV role, a role which could send me anywhere in the UK, possibly supporting people with disabilities or working in a school, it could have been anything, but at least it was something. Find out more about residential opportunities here.

Thankfully I was accepted, and asked to come to work in CSV's London offices. I was given the scope for an intergenerational project called Young at Heart that links 16-25 year olds with older members of the community. I couldn't believe my luck. I'd never worked in an office before and had been given this fantastic project that would build community links around Camden and Islington and got to live in London for the first time as well!

Through volunteering full time I learned so many basic skills that I simply hadn't at University. Whilst it was a vital experience, managing your time at University isn't a priority - if anything, I had too much time to know what to do with - now I had to plan, organise and manage. I arranged events, gave presentations about volunteering to young people, developed skills and was on interview panels. I even started writing a blog for Do-it about my experiences.

It felt like I was finally getting somewhere! I was gaining confidence, I understood what a charity did and how important the work of its employees is to achieving that aim. I worked with brilliant young people who could talk and engage with older people whether we were designing World Cup mascots or creating film posters.

These experiences carried on throughout my one year placement and by the time I left I was sure that I wanted to work for a charity. Now, that might not be the same for everybody, but the sureness of conviction that I found, the pleasure that I got from working in that environment and the skills I learned and the people I met were invaluable, and would be invaluable to any young people struggling to find a job at the moment.

By creating strong links through my volunteering, and also having the back up that a degree reflects I have now been springboarded into a job with YouthNet, the charity behind Do-it, where I first looked for opportunities, and where I posted opportunities for my volunteering project. It feels like I should perhaps break into a rendition of the 'Circle of Life'.

Posted by Andy ( 10:12 AM )
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Monday Aug 01, 2011

Feile Festival time

This is all about the run up to Feile 2011 as I'm now organising volunteers to cover events until 15th August so it's all hands on deck.

The Feile Launch was great and everyone seemed to enjoy it and got some to volunteer for events over the Feile and everyone got some Birthday cake too, so was all good! At the start of the event I got everyone to sign in and then the fun began as it was also about volunteers meeting each other and learning about what events and help was needed over Feile. There was a good turn out and a few signed up to helping at events.

Last week I was getting my head round volunteer management for Feile - I started going through the volunteers who were already signed up for events and working out which events needed more volunteers. So it's all go at the moment.

I've started an introduction to Basic Sign Language too. It's very interesting but hard to learn when you're left handed. I've only attended one class of it so far so I'll see how I go with it.

On Saturday I had great time volunteering at a local event which happens just before Feile begins; called 'Roaring Meg' a Bikers Fundraising event and was selling t-shirts/badges and raffle tickets and not forgetting handing out Feile 2011 booklets too. I was told before the event that it nearly always rains but for Roaring Meg but it was lovely it caught a bit sunburn not so good but was fun day with live Music too.So good start to festival time and hopefully will get to some other town's festivals too over the week.

Posted by Moira ( 2:13 PM )
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Thursday Jul 21, 2011

Feile 2011

Well this week its all about the Feile, tomorrow the Feile Launches and what better way to start it with none other than an 18th Birthday Party. Yes Feile has been going 18 years this year so to mark it were having a party! So its been busy week getting organised for the launch playing with party decorations and making up decorations with 18 on so tomorrow should be fun. As well as that enrolling volunteers for the Feile and the summer scheme organising with those running the different events who will be volunteering with them. I have to say I've enjoyed it and working with different people too is always good. At the moment its all about organising and getting volunteers enlisted to help at events over the Feile and about enjoying the Feile events. Bit of a short entry this week but its all go at the moment.

Posted by Moira ( 5:04 PM )
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Friday Jul 15, 2011

Developing my skills

Since I last wrote I've decided not to go ahead with the BSc Community Development for a number of reasons really. So back to the drawing board for that; wondering if I will do something again going back to college or just to carry on as I am. I've been busy with my volunteer but also fitting in some time off, and even then still going in for couple of hours ha! Including signing up new volunteers and to see about volunteering for over the summer / Feile and organising for volunteers to come into do that for all the different events happening over the next month. Want to see whats going to be happening over Feile check out facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/gasyardwallfeile This week I've been shadowing the Volunteer Investment Project (VIP) Coordinator; learning about Management Reports and what to do when enrolling volunteers as well as looking at the systems in place; so that it frees up time for them to work on meeting with volunteers both current and new and helping to develop the project further. Which has been good for me and helping me to develop my skills just hope its helping the VIP Coordinator. So until next time hope everyone is enjoying the Summer

Posted by Moira ( 10:50 AM )
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Tuesday Jun 28, 2011

Summertime

I finally finished the Jazz Festival Evaluation last week and I thought I would never get it finished. We did though I think it was a lot more work than first envisaged but we'll know for next time if it comes up again and I learned a lot too from doing it.

I'm once again at a crossroads but looking into a possibility of doing it a BSc Community Development Course, there's lots to think about at the moment though and I'm not sure what to do mainly because of the travelling.

Last night I was volunteering at The Drink Think Project Launch of family conversation tool kit night, running games which encouraged families to work together and be able to talk about issues that can be difficult to talk about like alcohol. You can visit the link below to find out more:

http://www.drinkthinkproject.org/2011/06/22/launch-of-family-conversation-tool/

As well as all of this we're now in the run up to Feile 2011 so planning for that is well underway running this year 5th-15th August so there's lots of planning going on to find volunteers to help at the different events over the Feile as well as Roaring Meg; and Busy Bee Summer Scheme; as well as new volunteers now coming in over the summer so lots of busy times ahead; lets hope the weather is good too!

Posted by Moira ( 4:47 PM )
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Thursday Jun 23, 2011

Seeing the difference

Last night I went to my first school governors' meeting in quite a while, after we had to postpone the meeting that was planned for earlier this term.

It has to be said that I really enjoyed it! I said to another governor as we were leaving that it felt like the main difference was that I had been at the preceding full governing body. So, when anyone referred to something that we discussed in the last meeting I was much more readily able to know what we were talking about.

I think the other thing I found particularly inspiring last night was a physical change at the school. Last term we had discussed and approved the installation of two canopies to provide shade for reception and the early years and it was really lifting to see them in place as I walked into the school last night.

These canopies are just a physical example of the pace of genuine change within both this particular school and the educational landscape more generally. We will be having a lot of changes that will be exciting and challenging at the school as we embark on a project that will be large in both scale and effect.

I for one am really looking forward to seeing the gradual transformation over the coming months and years. It seems very clear to me now that this is the reward governors get for their hours spent sitting in meetings!

Posted by Will ( 9:07 AM )
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Tuesday Jun 14, 2011

Volunteers week, celebrations and farewells

Well its been so busy for me since I last blogged about my experiences of late. So here's what I've been up too.

Visit to Stormont and the Dáil as part of FETAC Level 5 Campaign & Lobbying course

It was really enjoyable and I learned a lot too about the history of both Stormont and the Dáil. We had a tour around both of them and got to have question time with some MP's in Stormont and seen Taoiseach Enda Kenny in debate too in the Dáil; it was great to be able to say I've been there and see a debate in action; as well as having question time with some TD's (Assembly Delegates).

It was great to be able to compare the two and as a group we also took part in some campaigning while at the Dáil - No to FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). It was great to see Campaign & Lobbying in action and to take part in.

My actual campaign on Attacks on Emergency Services and setting random fires is still underway but was great to get the opinion of MP's and TD's about the issue.Last weekend it was the last of all these courses- the last course to complete; Reconciliation And Peace Programme (RAPP) all three weekends have been great but this last residential was fantastic- we got to go to Y Care conference on the Saturday. It was interesting to see the work they do and how widespread it is and a recap of campaign of lobbying thrown in too.

We also finished off files for the course and went on tour round Belfast hearing about the history and seeing all the murals too.On Thursday we had a celebration night for all these courses with the YMCA also bringing everything to a close. I was asked to speak about my experience on the courses I've done and what I've got out of it, I wrote something down to say and I only actually used a line of what I wrote. The rest I just said from the heart and from what I remembered of doing through all the courses it was really good night; and I would do it all again and its helped me in my volunteering, confidence and getting to know people too.

On the 2nd June the Gas Yard also had a celebration night as part of Volunteers week celebrations; so leading up to it. I was asked to do a 5minute speech about my volunteer experience and this time I didn't write anything to say just told it like it was; and it appears to come across really well. It was a brilliant night and I got a Special Award for all my volunteering which I really wasn't expecting and was nice surprise! Last Tuesday I went as part of Volunteer's week to a volunteers event near where I live after being asked by the volunteer coordinator so to give a hand, and talk about volunteering. It was a great day and lots of people came to the event; and it was lots of fun too. I also did Emergency First Aid Training and Community Relations training which was all good and will help with volunteering and just in general too!  I've also been collating information from when Derry City Council (DCC) had the Jazz Festival in between all of this; which should be done and dusted this week. Anyway hope you've enjoyed reading this I must get on with finishing Jazz Festival Evaluation now. Think I'll have a bit of a quiet week now or will I....So until next time

Posted by Moira ( 11:07 AM )
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Tuesday May 24, 2011

Stormont and The Dáil

Ok so here's what's new.

On Tuesday I'm off to meet with those that run the country as part of my 'Campaign & Lobbying course which is sadly nearing its end. Yes that's right I'm off to Stormont and the Dáil and it should be interesting over two days.

There weren't many people at the training residential last weekend but all the same was very productive for me. I actually came up with something to campaign about after realising it didn't have to be something huge in anyway just had to do a campaign. I just have to do it now. It is going to be on highlighting the affects on attacks on Emergency Services and the damage that Emergency services help to clear up like Random Fires; which is a big thing at the moment. We're still in early stages of planning but one idea is to blog about it and another to have talks for young people / youth workers from the Fire Brigade.

New direction

This week I've also decided maybe I need to do something completely different. Things haven't worked out for me at Chest Heart & Stroke and I thank them for letting me volunteer there but it's just not right for me. Instead I've had a meeting with worker at Cedar Foundation - a place that helped set up my placement with Chest Heart & Stroke and I'm going to look at something completely different; perhaps more training and new direction so not admin; maybe working with young people again in some way. I'm supposed to think of something I may want to do based on all the fantastic opportunities I've had volunteering and the training I've done.

 I'm at a bit of a crossroads as to what I want to or should be doing. It's something I'm going to look at further whether to retrain or just get further training and different volunteering opportunities. So I guess its 'watch this space' and time to get my thinking cap on.

Gas yard

Well it's like de ja vu to be honest as part of 'Volunteers Week' and for recognition of the VIP volunteers were having an 'Awards Night' on 2nd June. So like B'OSCARS only different. There's a lot of planning going into this event and chasing after nominations and changing of dates for nominations; as well as planning for the actual event; sending invites, decorating the venue, organising a photographer and music. So I might not have a definite idea about what I want to do or the big question yesterday 'Where I want to be in 10 years time?' But right now I'm doing what I like and I'm looking forward to new challenges ahead, but first challenge is onto Stormont and The Dáil.

 

Posted by Moira ( 3:58 PM )
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Wednesday May 04, 2011

More from the gas yard

Changes

I started with Chest Heart & Stroke Northern Ireland but I only actually did one day due to personal circumstances and it being too far away from where I was staying while my house was being put back together (it was flooded)  I will be starting there again doing admin now at the beginning of May so hopefully it will go better the second time round.

What I did manage to keep going most days was volunteering at the Gas Yard.

Due to all the bad weather we had 'Operation Snowball' where gas yard staff and volunteers all took a hand in helping those who couldn't get out and about due to bad weather by either bringing them meals or taking them shopping or bringing shopping to them; even just befriending people who couldn't get out, which worked so well and seemed to such a need in the bad weather that it will probably be in place for next winter too.

Training

To help me with my volunteering and to expand and my learning during February and March I completed an A Level or FETAC Level 5. (If you're from Republic of Ireland) in Community Leadership. For this we had to keep journals on what we were doing every week as well as plan and run an event; this helped me so much as it got me more involved and improved my confidence as well as meeting people my own age from both sides of the border.  I didn't realize how much it was going to help me. It led onto more training which I'm in middle of with people of my own age group too which is always good.  Training I'm doing now is all about Campaign & Lobbying which I recently started although could be tougher than I thought; as I have to do a campaign about the best way of learning - I'm sure it will come together.  I'm also doing 'RAPP' which is Reconciliation And Peace Programme again is worth an A Level or FETAC Level 5 which  I just started and it's so far so good; the first  weekend was about team building and getting to know each other. We also talked about what we know about conflict and different issues - local, national and worldwide.  So really I should probably be watching the news right now.

Looking back to St Patrick's Day, the Gas Yard had a Family Fun Day which was great and I used it as my project for my Community Leadership course.  To do this I was part of planning and gathering volunteers for the day; on the day I was on the door collecting entrance fees and telling people what was happening during the fun day. It was a busy time and everyone got Irish Stew which was lovely. On Good Friday we had an Easter Family Fun Day with lots to entertain from Face painting to Easter Bonnet making to Sports  Day and the weather was good which was handy as I was sat outside again at the entrance doing the same job as I'd been doing for St Patrick's Day - the only difference was it was very warm, and windy which is not good when sheets of paper decide to take flight!

I'm really busy now and I believe my volunteering has kept me going through a tough time even though some of it had to be put on hold for a while and it has led me as usual into things I wouldn't of dreamed of doing.  Why not give it a try?

Posted by Moira ( 9:37 AM )
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Saturday Mar 12, 2011

GMHAA (or Getting My Head Around Acronyms)

So, it's official; having been appointed formally appointed at last night's meeting I am now a school governor.

So how do I feel? Well, the really good news is that I'm still very excited about the whole thing. On the other hand, I feel slightly daunted.

Why daunted? Well, daunted by the number of things there are to learn that largely (at the moment) seem like incomprehensible gobbledygook. There's quite a lot of things that I just don't understand, so a lot of question asking and lots of information to be taking in.

Acronyms are a good case in point, something we are all guilty of using, and only realise how reliant we are on them when someone else doesn't follow. I've decided to start an acronym glossary, which is growing quite quickly:

SIP - School Improvement Partner

SDP - School Development Plan

MPSF - Manor Park Soft Federation

SA - School Action

SAP - School Action Plus

BMR - Budget Monitoring Report

HTR - Head Teacher's Report

I could go on, but I'm sure you're getting the point. Suffice to say, I have got a fair few more that I've not included here, which isn't even to mention the one's I already knew.

It seems I've got a lot to learn, about the way education works in this country, let alone about the school itself. But that's one of the great things about so many different forms of volunteering. Not only do I get to do something extremely worthwhile, to give something back, but I also get to learn new skills and gain new knowledge.

One of the beauties of volunteering is that so often we get as much, or even more, out of it than we put in.

Posted by Will ( 8:28 AM )
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Tuesday Mar 08, 2011

Brighter Futures

Ray, a driving instructor of three years, volunteers with Brighter Futures in Maidstone, Kent. "We help elderly people who don't have friends or family by offering them companionship."

Brighter Futures provide the charities' recipients with trips and social events to brighten their lives. Ray is heavily involved with the trips, "I drive our minibus which we use to take the elderly on excursions and shopping trips. Every Tuesday and Thursday we take the pensioners to Morrison's so they can complete their weekly shop. We also arrange other special trips through out the year."

Christmas is the busiest time of year for Brighter Futures and they provide an essential service to those in need. Ray explains, "At Christmas we take groups out on present shopping trips as well as days out to see plays and pantomimes at the theatre. We have a big party for all our regulars. Usually we get around 100 people turning up, I drive to pick them up and my wife is the escort. At the party we provide Christmas dinner, a band for entertainment and a Father Christmas who gives everyone a present. At the end of the night I drive everyone home with a smile on their face."

Having the time to fit in all of this extra work on top of your daily nine to five would be difficult for most people, but Ray's career as a driving instructor means he has the time to fit everything in. "I can plan my own diary so I'm very fortunate that my work as a driving instructor allows me the flexibility to be able to give back to the community. The work is really satisfying, seeing the smiles on their faces during our trips out makes it very worthwhile." 

Ray's story shows giving back to the community is not only rewarding but also incredibly beneficial for the people supported. Those of us in a position to help individuals and groups that need support can provide a vital source of companionship and hope; significantly improving the lives for those who need it most.

This post was written by Dominic Cohen of RED Instructor Training.

Posted by Ray ( 10:28 AM )
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Monday Feb 21, 2011

Back to school

Hi! I’m Will and I work at YouthNet, the charity behind Do-it.

I guess I’ve been passionate about volunteering since I was a teenager and over the years have got involved in some of its various different guises. From helping with litter picking and helping run kids clubs on summer projects in my local area to training as a peer supporter and helping with educational outreach while I was a university student, I’ve certainly tried my hand at a range of different types of volunteering.

Now I’m embarking on a whole new voluntary adventure, as I turn my hand to being a school governor at a local primary school. It might not necessarily be what you’d normally think of when you hear the word volunteering – at least I’d imagine that attending meetings and reading documents won’t most people’s typical  image of volunteering – but it is a really crucial and common volunteer role as Do-it’s own feature article about school governors underlines.

You might wonder what it is about being a school governor that appeals to a young, childless man. Well, governing will really combine two of my passions: volunteering and education.  I’ve already been involved in education in a few ways. I’ve (obviously) had my own education at school and uni; I worked at a school when I took a gap year; I was a student member of a governing body at my uni and I spent a year working in widening participation at what would normally be branded an ‘elite’ university, working with school students from year 5 right up to year 13 to encourage those from non-traditional backgrounds to consider applying to the university.

So becoming a school governor just kind of makes sense to me as a voluntary activity (not that you need any educational background at all to be one)

Having said all of that, I guess what really struck me when I first visited the school was how obviously the staff that were present cared. I mean, obviously, you would hope and expect they would. But it did somehow go beyond my expectations. And hearing the pride with which they talk about their school and the work they do to boost the attainment of pupils whose backgrounds are stacked against them was truly inspirational.

I’ve embarked on this journey because I’m passionate about volunteering and about education, but also because I want to get more involved in my local community. The really great news is that in the school I’ve found a community that I suspect I too will proud to be a member of, and that I’m really looking forward to sharing my experience of here on the Do-it blog.

Posted by Will ( 12:33 PM )
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Wednesday Feb 02, 2011

Rebuilding my confidence

After leaving my job in January 2008, I decided to do some voluntary work. I’d lost a lot of confidence and fancied doing something outdoorsy having spent 16 years in an office.

The Greengrid Taskforce Voluntary Group (part of Groundwork) offered the perfect solution and my first task day at Hadleigh Castle Country Park, venue for the 2012 Mountain Bike event, had me clearing scrub from bluebells. I was nervous, but the Taskforce Officer and volunteers made me very welcome. Over the last three years I’ve helped build hedges, done litter picking and coppicing, represented Groundwork at community open days and contributed articles to the newsletter. Sadly government cuts have meant Greengrid has been phased out, though there are still opportunities to volunteer with other local conservation groups.

My experiences with Greengrid spurred me on to start my own litter crusade on a pathway beside a local brook. Via the internet, I ordered equipment from environmental groups CPRE and People Clearing Litter and in April 2009, led my first monthly community group litter pick. So far we’ve collected 188 sacks of rubbish and in 2009 picked up an environmental award from our town council.

As a sufferer from the neurological condition dystonia and member of the UK based charity, I’m now the Fundraising and Communications Officer for the Essex Support Group. I’ve attended forums, AGMs, networked with other support groups and created a newsletter for the support group.  In 2008 I joined the Society’s Communications Committee as a volunteer which involves meetings in London and conference calls once or twice a year.

By the end of 2008 I’d signed up as a Bookstart volunteer giving out packs to parents of babies between 7 and 9 months and pre-school children.

2009 was my year as a ‘Serial Volunteer.’ I registered as a steward at The Globe Theatre and during that season I checked tickets, sold programmes, showed patrons to their seats and answered ad-hoc questions. The atmosphere was electric and I was fortunate enough to meet a lady on my induction from my hometown. We organised our volunteering sessions together and still keep in touch two years on.

This experience was a great boost to my confidence; now I’m not fazed by crowds or a room full of people.

My other voluntary roles have included working in a charity shop, distributing envelopes and programmes for community events, Beach Watch surveys, writing campaign letters for the RSPB, helping at the BBC RaW Tour in Romford, organising MacMillan Coffee mornings, supporting HEART UK runners at the 2008 London Marathon and helping my goddaughter with her literacy and numeracy.

I’ve gained a huge amount from all my voluntary work and I’m glad I’ve been able to put something back into society.

I’ve just registered to be a London Ambassador for 2012. If chosen I look forward to welcoming visitors to my capital city.

Posted by Sharon ( 10:55 AM )
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