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                                                                                    10th November 2023

 

Hello {$firstname}



Welcome to our monthly newsletter for current and future volunteers. 



In this edition:

  • Volunteering opportunities include: Prison singers, receptionists, drivers, community hub volunteers, sewing sanitary pads, mentors, charity shop helpers, meeter & greeters, tutors, admin and tea parts hosts/drivers.
  • VARB News:
    • Makaton Taster Workshop
    • Meet the Organisation - The Brigitte Trust and ESDAS
    • Listen to the Supported Lodgings event.
    • Watch our Appeal to volunteer video.
  • Charity Spotlight: Loveworks.
  • Other News: ‘Keep Living the life you want’ event, Banstead Rotary Christmas street collections, Stripey Stork Santa Run, Banstead Community Centre Open Day and Christmas Fayre and YMCA East Surrey Santa Run.

Best wishes,



The VARB Team

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      Do you know we have over 300 volunteering opportunities on our website that are searchable by postcode, interests, activities and the times you can offer? 

      If you can't find what you're looking for in this newsletter please head on over to our website.

      

      Click on the opportunity title to find out more. If you are interested, then you can make a "Quick Enquiry" using the black button on our website.  

      

       ☎️ Relate Mid & East Surrey aims to change lives in Mid & East Surrey by offering a range of counselling services aiming to support people in times of difficulty and crisis.  They are looking for a bank of volunteer receptionists to work in both their Epsom and Reigate centres.  The role will involve answering phone calls, welcoming clients to the centre when they arrive for their appointment and basic administrative tasks.

      

       🎼 Liberty Choir is a national charity bringing members of the public into prisons to sing with their choir of exceptional musical directors, accompanists and prisoners. Their sessions are designed to help develop prisoners’ skills and self-confidence, open up the world of arts through singing and provide access to new social networks when they re-enter the wider community. They are looking for volunteers to sing with them at their weekly prison sessions at HMP Downview and HMP High Down.

      

      🤝 Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey is the largest charitable organisation in Surrey working with people who are visually impaired, blind, Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind.  They are looking for adhoc drivers to transport clients unable to attend their Resource Centre in Fetcham or visit their Access Technology Trainer without the aid of a driver.  They are also looking for Community Hub volunteers in Oxted to help run a monthly social event for people they support. You could be helping serve refreshments, talking to people about help they can offer, or just lending a friendly ear to someone who is feeling lonely and socially isolated.

      

      🧵 The Pachamama Project is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation making and distributing reusable sanitary pads to refugees around the world and growing a network of volunteers around the UK to make them.  They are looking for volunteers to work from home (or from wherever you choose), sewing reusable, sustainable sanitary pads that they then distribute. Full instructions and templates provided as well as fabric, on request.

      

       🛍️ Hospices of Hope improves quality of life for patients with a terminal or life limiting illness in Romania and surrounding countries by increasing provision and access to palliative care services and training.  They are looking for Charity Shop Helpers for their shop in Woodhatch.  The role involves sorting, pricing and steaming of donated stock, till work and customer service.

      

       ✔️ At Circles South East their core aims are twofold. Firstly they aim to reduce the instances of sexual abuse. Secondly they aim to assist those impacted by sexual abuse in their recovery. The project works closely with, and is supported by, both the Police and Probation Service. Volunteer Mentors work as a team with a small group of other volunteers. Together they support and monitor one registered sexual offender (Core Member) living in the local community, who has voluntarily chosen to be part of the project.

      

      🚗  Age Concern Banstead - Drivers are required to take elderly clients to local hospitals and clinics for other medical appointments using your own vehicle.  You will be in contact with a variety of clients who really appreciate this service.  They are also looking for a minibus driver to help out as when needed.

      

      🏥  East Surrey Hospital are looking for Meeter & Greeter for Outpatients to greet patients as they arrive for their appointments, support patients with the self- service procedure, direct them to the appropriate waiting area and encourage them to take the feedback form.  Volunteers may take or collect notes from different departments and may accompany patients to different appointments.

      

      🎒  Action Tutoring are looking for Volunteer Tutors in English or Math's. Tutors are needed for disadvantaged young people who are struggling outside of the classroom. You will need to commit to a minimum commitment of an hour a week (not including preparation time) across the school term. You do not need a teaching qualification but do need a degree or to be studying for a degree, and to have a B grade or above at A Level (or equivalent qualification) in the subject you wish to tutor.

      

      🖥️  St Catherine's Hospice are looking for a volunteer to support their clinical administration as part of their Wellbeing Services team in Crawley.  This role will include adding counselling and bereavement support notes to their computer system and making up information packs for bereaved carers and family members. This is an important role supporting good continuity of care, which makes a real difference to their patients and their loved ones.

      

      ☕  Reengage provides vital, life-enhancing social connections for older people at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing. You can volunteer at one of their Tea Parties in the Reigate and Banstead Area. Become a tea party host or a tea party driver.

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              Makaton Taster Workshop - Friday 17th November, 10am-12pm online.

              Makaton supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression. Being able to communicate is one of the most important skills we need in life. Makaton is a visual way to develop communication skills, which helps stimulate sounds and words. The visual way of communicating helps language development, such as putting words together. Makaton helps understanding by giving an extra visual cue to communication.

              

              Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore the world of Makaton and discover how it can make a positive impact on your communication abilities. There are still have a few spaces left, so join us for a fun-filled and informative session that will leave you inspired!  Cost: £10 per person.  Click here to register.

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              VARB launched a new online service called ‘Meet the Organisation’ this summer. The events are a great way for you to get more in-depth information about particular organisations, and learn about their volunteer roles. Even if you attend the event there is no pressure to sign up to anything, but it might help you decide whether a volunteering opportunity is the right one for you. The events are all online, a representative from an organisation will attend and possibly a current volunteer present, talking about the work of the organisation and how volunteers are involved. This is also the perfect place to come with any questions you might have before you start your volunteering journey!

              

              Upcoming ‘Meet the Organisation’ Events

              

              Please click on the organisation below to register and to find out more about them. Once registered you will get an email containing your confirmation. VARB will be in touch in due course with a link to join us on Zoom.

              

              THE BRIGITTE TRUST - Monday 13th November,  10am - 11am

               EAST SURREY DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES (ESDAS) - Wednesday 22nd November, 11am - 12pm

                  Past 'Meet the Organisations' Events

                   

                  SENSORY SERVICES BY SIGHT FOR SURREY - click here to meet Katie and Lynn, learn about the history of the organisation, who they support and hear about their volunteering roles.

                  ACTIVE PROSPECTS - click here to meet Sophia and Matt and listen to find out more about them and their varied volunteering roles.

                  

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                  Supported Lodgings Online Event

                  Supported Lodgings scheme provides young people who are aged 16 to 25 and in care or who have recently left care with a place to live. You can work full-time as long as you still have time to support the young person to gain skills for independent living.  We invited Rosie Brookes who is a Supported Lodgings Officer at Surrey County Council to tell us more about the scheme and how you can get involved.   Alison Keeley also joined us, she is the CEO at the Grange Centre and shares her experiences as a carer to two young people in Surrey.  

                  Please click here to listen to the event.

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                  Click here to watch our Appeal to Volunteer video.  Please get in touch if you would like an informal chat to discuss suitable volunteering roles.  Email: [email protected] or call us on 01737 763156. 

                  Did you know that we have our very own YouTube Channel?  Please visit our channel to watch our videos and give us a 👍 and subscribe.

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                  Loveworks works in partnership with Reigate and Merstham communities providing emergency food provision (food banks), preventing the recurrence of food poverty and growing food in their community allotments.  

                  They are looking for Trustees who play a vital role in making sure that they achieve its core purpose. Overseeing the overall management and administration of the charity, ensuring they have a clear strategy and their work and goals are in line with their vision. Just as importantly, Trustees support and challenge the Executive team to enable Loveworks to grow and thrive, and through this, help to improve the lives of the local community through food and to support people when they are in crisis and, in partnership, help them move out of it.  

                  They are also looking for Food Bank Delivery Drivers to deliver food bank parcels to their Food Bank venues in their Loveworks van.  Loveworks run food parcel packing sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, and require drivers to collect these food parcels from their warehouse on the Holmethope Estate in Redhill and deliver them to the Food Bank venue. When the Food Bank is finished, the driver will be required to bring everything back to the warehouse. It is essential that you hold a clean, valid, UK driving license and are over 30 (for insurance purposes).

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                  Free ‘Keep Living the life you want’ event at Reigate Park Church on Monday 20th November - 11am-1pm.

                  Age UK Surrey, in partnership with Surrey County Council and Reigate and Redhill u3a, will be providing information and advice to help you think about planning ahead for a time when you, or members of your family, may need a little more support.  It will encourage early conversations about the future, what matters to you, support options, financial planning and help preventing making decisions at times of crisis. In addition, it will provide help in understanding the different options available, how to connect to support locally and how to stay independent and live the lives you want to.  At the event, information will be provided on options for local support, how equipment and technology can help people stay independent, support available for people who look after loved ones, and more.

                  The event is free, but booking is essential and refreshments will be provided.  You can book your place by registering online or by contacting Age UK Surrey: Telephone: 01483 446627

                  Text (SMS): 07593 139560 (deaf or hard of hearing)

                  Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey/planningforyourfuture

                  

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                  Ho Ho Ho…  Watch out Santa's sleigh is coming to Banstead and holding the reins will be Banstead Rotary.

                  A big thank you to everyone for helping them raise over £10,840.00 last year. Every penny raised went to local charities.  If you live in Banstead, Nork and Tadworth, Santa will be landing in a street near you between the 1st & 20th December.  

                  Click here to download a list of streets.

                  Also, he will be making flying visits to Asda in Burgh Heath, and, Waitrose in Banstead. For more information or to donate please visit:

                  www.bansteadrotary.com

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                   Santa Stork 2023 

                  Do you believe that every child deserves some special Christmas magic?

                  Do you believe that every child should be able to return to school after Christmas with a story to tell about the ‘cool’ gift Santa brought for them and the fun they had playing with it?

                  If you believe, then Santa Stork is for you…

                  With many families struggling as energy prices and interest rates rise, Stripey Stork knows that the challenge to deliver even a simple family Christmas will be bigger than ever. Santa Stork is here to ensure that no child in our community has to think that Santa has forgotten them.  

                  Click here to find out more information about Stripey Stork and how you can donate to Santa Stork 2023.

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                   On the 25 November, Banstead Community Centre will be having their Open Day and Christmas Fayre from 10am to 2pm. Have a go at some of the activities for all ages; such as children’s stay and play, face painting, line dancing and meditation sound bath. Browse the festive stalls selling Christmas crafts and gifts. Special guest appearance by Father Christmas. Feeling Peckish? Try one of their festive feasts or something from their Best Bites Café and find out about available services and support groups.

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                   YMCA East Surrey, Santa Run 

                  Calling all Santa's – the YMCA Santa Run is returning to Reigate’ s Priory Park on Sunday 10th December!  Santa's of all ages and abilities are invited to join them for a 1 or 3-mile run or walk to raise money for YMCA East Surrey and spread some festive cheer.  Click here for more information.

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                    This newsletter has been sent by Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead. We are a charity that supports volunteers and the local voluntary sector with information, networking, and volunteer matching. Charity no 1138897, Company no 07217319.

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