If you are interested in any of the following opportunities or would like a chat about volunteering generally, please contact Rose Austen, Volunteer Centre Organiser at Hastings Voluntary Action on 01424 446060/ 444010 or email: rose@hvauk.org  You can also search for opportunities online at www.do-it.org.uk  

Volunteer Opportunities – July/August

Victim Support – victims of crime can be left distressed and disturbed and lacking in confidence.  Victim Support volunteers provide emotional support to victims of crime as they come to terms with their experience.  The next Core Training course for new Victim Support Volunteer Case Workers will take place in Eastbourne and St. Leonards in October.
For further information or an application pack contact Philip Holden-Jennings on 01424 221926 or email: philip.holden-jennings@victimsupport.org.uk

4th Hastings Rainbow Unit  Do you enjoy working with young children and helping them grow in confidence and learn how to work with others whilst having fun at the same time?  A volunteer is needed to help run a Rainbow Unit based in Ore, which has 12 girls aged 5 – 7.  There will be the opportunity to undertake the Adult Leadership Scheme.  Two references required and CRB check will be undertaken..
For more information contact Janice Harmer, District Commissioner on 01424 429206 or email: kite.kjb@sky.com

Xtrax Young People's Centre has been running a breakfast club since last September and now need to increase their team of staff.  They serve a free breakfast every week day morning to young people aged 16 – 25.  The club aims to support young people into work, training and education.  The role will involve serving breakfast, greeting young people as they arrive and cleaning and washing up.  Hours are 8.45 – 10.30 Monday to Friday or how ever many days you can offer.  Some experience of working in a food environment would be desirable but all applicants will be considered.
They also have a new vacancy for a volunteer with computer skills for two mornings a week to work as an administrator for the breakfast club.  The role will involve helping young people with their own CV, letters or completing electronic forms.  Ideally the right person will have an enthusiasm for helping young people and some experience of working with computers. Hours 9.00 – 11.0 am two days a week, days to suit.
Please contact Sam or Martin at Xtrax Young People’s Centre (now in the basement of the main Post Office in Priory Street), or call 01424 722524 for an application.

Hastings & Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind urgently need volunteer drivers for their minibuses at their day centre in Upper Maze Hill, St. Leonards and also for their Tuesday club in Bexhill.  Only an ordinary driving licence required and training will be given.  Apply to HRVAB at 383 Battle Road, St. Leonards, 01424 853711 or email hrvab@freeuk.org

Hastings Talking Newspaper Association which provides a free weekly audio tape of news and other items of interest to the visually impaired, is seeking to recruit for volunteers to join its production team based in a studio in Battle Road.  Gordon Hutton would be pleased to hear from someone who can spare just three hours every six weeks, or more if wanted.  Reading & recording, technical and administration opportunities available.  He can be contacted on 01424 752939.

The Tree of Hope Children's Charity raises funds to help sick and disabled children to receive medical treatments and therapies that they deserve or may otherwise not receive.  A capable, motivated and enthusiastic volunteer is needed to administer specific fundraising events from conception through to the end.  Contact Corinne Gardner on 01424 224656 or email: cgardner@treeofhope.org.uk

Independent Age is the national charity that cares for those who have cared for others.  They are seeking volunteer visitors to befriend beneficiaries and provide practical support. If you have an affinity with older people, their life would be enhanced just by knowing that there is someone who cares, whom they can see from time to time. No regular weekly or monthly commitment but to fit in with your lifestyle.  Ideally visitors would see 5 or 6 older people a minimum of twice a year, but hopefully more.
Volunteer visitors must be 18+.  Expenses paid.  Mobility within the area is important so a car driver would find it easier.
For more information contact Tony Pollen, Area Representative on 01227 362530 or email: tony.pollen@independentage.org.uk Website: www.independentage.org.uk

Bohemia Counselling Service in St. Leonards is seeking a volunteer to undertake reception duties at their Bohemia Road office.  This will involve welcoming clients, taking messages and some administrative tasks.  Must have a warm disposition, a non-judgemental attitude and enjoy working as part of a team.  To find out more contact Sue Burrows, Practice Manager on 01424 722923 or email bohemiacounselling@tiscali.co.uk

Do you have financial/accounting experience and time to act as an Honorary Treasurer?  Cruse Bereavement Care volunteers offer support to bereaved people across the county.  Many people use and value their service and they are proud of their standards of practice and training.  However, like many volunteer based organisations they struggle with funding and management.  As a result Brighton and Hove, Eastbourne, and Rother and Hastings Cruse are reorganising to form one area covering the eastern part of the county by early 2009.  The new area will have a jointmanagement committee with Chair, Treasurer, and members from the 3 constituent branches.They are urgently seeking a Treasurer whose role will be crucial as the accounts of the branches will be amalgamated, expenses shared and financial planning and fundraising undertaken jointly.  For further details contact Ian Johnson, Chair of East Sussex Area Steering Committee on 01273 677930 or email ian.johnson99@btopenworld.com

The Stroke Association’s communication support service is seeking friendly, understanding and enthusiastic volunteers for its weekly communication group held on a Tuesday.  The group helps clients practise and develop their communication skills.  The group is supported by a service co-ordinator and has the assistance of a speech therapist.  Volunteers must be 18+ and undertake a CRB check. Volunteers will receive training on stroke, communication impairments and different types of communication skills that can be used by clients.  Volunteers’ travel expenses will be reimbursed and they will be supported by the Communication Support Co-ordinator.  If you are interested then please contact Kerry fellows on 07799436053 or email fellowskerry@hotmail.com

Mencap provides personal support and housing for adults with learning disabilities.  They are looking for volunteers to help support their service users in a range of activities.  If you have any particular skills, interests or passions you would like to share with one or more of their users then contact Terry Loftus, Supported Living Manager on 07960 976077 or email terry.loftus@mencap.org.uk Volunteers must be 18+ and will be CRB checked.  Travel expenses reimbursed and appropriate training provided.

Volunteer Opportunities – June

Pestalozzi International Village Trust in Sedlescombe is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help maintain their organic walled garden.  The role will involve various horticultural activities such as growing vegetables and general garden maintenance.  Volunteers with gardening experience are preferred.  The garden is located at the bottom of the site on a hill and would be difficult to access for those with a physical disability.  The Garden has limited wheelchair access.  Own transport preferable.  For more information contact Lesley Shareif, Co-ordinator (PIDEC) on 01424 870444   Website:  www.pestalozzi.org.uk 

Care for the Carers Befriending Scheme (Rural areas) are looking for volunteers with warmth, good listening skills and an ability to support people to become volunteers to make monthly home visits to befriend people caring for others who may be feeling isolated and lonely.  Home visits often initially take the form of a cup of tea and a chat, but as rapport is built up volunteers will see if there are any ways the carer can be more supported and become less isolated in their community.  Befriending partnerships generally last about nine months. Volunteers are offered training and on-going support as well as travel expenses.  Access to own vehicle or good transport links is desirable.
For more information about this opportunity contact Rachel Wilson on 01323 738390 or email rachelw@cftc.org.uk  Website www.cftc.org.uk

Hastings and Rother Citizens Advice Bureau is seeking a volunteer to help develop and improve their basic website to ensure that it is easier to access and more effective in conveying information.  It is also hoped that the volunteer will be able to train staff, or set up systems, to manage and update the site content. This role can be done remotely but ideally the potential volunteer will be able to visit the Bureau from time to time to get a good sense of the work that we do.To find out more contact Geoff Brown on 01424 433493 or email geoff@hastingscab.co.uk   Website  www.hastingscab.co.uk