YOUR STUDENT VOLUNTEERING GUIDE

Transcription

1 YOUR STUDENT VOLUNTEERING GUIDE

2 CONTACT MEMBERS OF RAG LEARN HOW THEIR DONATION IS PUT TO GOOD USE AT THE RNLI LIFEBOAT HOUSE IN BEAUMARIS STUDENT VOLUNTEERING 01 BANGOR GUIDE V.01 PRINT DATE JULY 2013 WELCOME TO... our WHAT IS SVB? 03 PROJECTS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PROJECTS AIMED AT HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT GENERAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE AND RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITY

3 SVB IS AWARDED THE QUEEN S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE BY THE LORD LIEUTENANT what is... our our DEPARTMENT Student Volunteering Bangor is a department within the Students Union which has over 600 regular and one-off volunteering opportunities for students on over 20 different community based projects. SVB volunteers currently carry out a total of 400 volunteering hours each week, which promotes a close relationship between the university and the local community. VISION SVB has a vision that it should be commonplace for students to volunteer whilst they are at university and that the Students Union should do everything they can to support, promote and develop student volunteering. That is why SVB s main aim is to assist students to lead their own, community based volunteering projects and provide student volunteers with the support and training they need to do so. WANT TO KNOW MORE? 03 If you would like to know more about volunteering on one or more of the projects listed in this booklet, join our mailing list at to register your interest. You will then receive regular s to notify you when spaces become available. You can also us at SVB@BANGORSTUDENTS.COM, or come and visit us at the SVB office on the first floor of the Students Union building. You can also find us on facebook. WHAT IS SVB? our SVB VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY CARRY OUT A TOTAL OF 400 VOLUNTEERING HOURS EACH WEEK! OVER 600 VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS MANY UNIQUE PROJECTS! LEAD YOUR OWN, COMMUNITY BASED VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS! REGISTER YOUR INTREST TODAY AND BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

4 Vulnerable Adults & the Elderly 05 TY LLYWELYN HERGEST OUT AND ABOUT TEA PARTIES PROJECTS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY This project involves attending the Tŷ Llywelyn (Secure Unit) hospital to organise and carry out activities for patients in a friendly and supportive environment. Activities aim to promote positive self-esteem and to build confidence amongst the patients. It is ideal for those interested in the area of mental health. Volunteers need to be good listeners and ready to engage with the patients in activities such as art and craft, woodwork, games and sports activities. One evening a week in term time. (6pm 9pm). Day to be confirmed. Tŷ Llywelyn, Bryn y Neuadd Site, Llanfairfechan, Gwynedd. Transport is provided by SVB. This project attends the mental health unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, the local hospital, to organise and carry out activities for patients in a friendly and supportive environment. Activities aim to promote positive selfesteem and to build confidence amongst the patients. It is ideal for those interested in the area of mental health. Volunteers need to be good listeners and engage with the patients in activities such as pool, badminton, table tennis, baking and arts and crafts activities. Every Monday evening or every Wednesday evening in term time. 6.15pm 9.15pm. The Hergest Unit, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, Gwynedd. Transport is provided by SVB. Out and About is a service which provides Saturday afternoon trips out for people over the age of 60 from the Bangor community. The project promotes independence and improves the quality of life for those who may have difficulty in travelling alone and appeals particularly to people who do not drive, are more confident to travel in the company of others or who simply just want to get out and about! Volunteers accompany the elderly people from their doors to the minibus and then onwards on trips to local attractions. Volunteers need to be patient and caring and willing to engage in long chats with the elderly people! Alternate Saturday afternoons pm 4.30pm. Volunteers are picked up at the Students Union. The project will visit a different location each fortnight. This projects organises an afternoon tea for the elderly residents of Bangor at Christmas and Easter. Volunteers need to be willing to get into the party spirit and lead the celebrations. There are many roles for volunteers within this project, from providing the entertainment to serving lunch and socialising with the elderly people. The events are organised by volunteers and a more regular commitment is open for those wishing to get involved in planning the parties. 10am 4pm on the day of the party and assisting with organisational tasks in the run up if able. Neuadd Rathbone, College Road, Bangor.

5 PROJECTS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS AND THE ELDERLY CONTINUED 07 CONTACT THE ELDERLY WITH CONTACT THE ELDERLY) TY NEWYDD WITH NATIONAL OFFENDER MANAGEMENT) HAFAN CAFÉ WITH AGE CYMRU) LLINOS CLUB WITH THE DOWN S SYNDROME ASSOCIATION) AGRO WITH THE ANGLESEY AND GWYNEDD RECOVERY ORGANISATION) HEAR TO MEET WITH ACTION ON HEARING LOSS CYMRU) A team of volunteers organises a monthly afternoon tea for a group of people over the age of 70 who wish to socialise with others. Service users take part in games of bingo and quizzes and will hear interesting talks and presentations from outside guests. Volunteers need to be patient and caring and good listeners as this project is aimed particularly at people who live alone. One Sunday per month. (Dates are agreed at the beginning of the year). 3pm 5pm. Agorfa, High Street, Bangor, Gwynedd. A group of volunteers attends Tŷ Newydd, a local approved premises, to organise activities for residents. Residents are all individuals who are either awaiting trial and not able to stay at home or have recently left prison. This project would be ideal for those interested in working with ex-offenders and volunteers need to be willing to interact with the residents and assist in the delivery of positive future focused activities designed to enhance self-esteem and support the development of life and social skills. One morning a week in term time. (Which day of the week the project takes place is agreed upon by the group at the beginning of each semester as a time convenient with everyone). 9am 11am. Ty Newydd, Llandygai, Bangor, Gwynedd. Transport provided by SVB Volunteers run IT sessions at a local drop in centre and café for the over 50 s in the centre of Bangor. Elderly people are supported to learn how to use a computer (or develop computer skills), access the internet and send s. The project aims to encourage more older people to use IT and therefore improve access to information and services. Volunteers need to be patient and willing to share their computer skills. A good understanding of the basics of IT is needed and volunteers are also required to assist the café volunteers with general tasks when they are not required in the computer suite. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in developing training skills. One 2 hour session per week in term time at a time convenient with the volunteer. The café is open between 9am 3pm, Monday to Friday. The Hafan Centre, Garth Road, Bangor. This project organises a fortnightly social group for young people aged 18 to 30 who have Down s Syndrome. Volunteers accompany the service users on an evening out perhaps for a meal or to the cinema or bowling alley. The project aims to facilitate sociable activities designed to provide entertainment and enjoyment for the group members in a safe and well managed environment. Volunteers need to be patient and caring and enthusiastic about creating a fun environment for the other young people to enjoy. One evening a fortnight in term time. (Which day of the week the project takes place is agreed upon by the group at the beginning of each semester as a time convenient with everyone). 6pm 9pm (Some flexibility is required depending on the activity). Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor Gwynedd. The AGRO project organises activities for the members of the local AGRO (Anglesey and Gwynedd Recovery Organisation) group. Service users are all in recovery from alcoholism or substance misuse and meet regularly as a group for peer support and friendship. A small team of volunteers attend one meeting a month and work with the service users to identify activities to organise for the group. The aims of the group are to support the service users in their journey to recovery through providing positive and purposeful activities which will hopefully introduce new pastimes and hobbies to the services users. One evening a month in term time. 6pm - 9pm. Penrallt Chapel, Holyhead Road, Upper Bangor, Gwynedd. A new project in Llangefni, Anglesey will begin in This project organises a monthly coffee morning or afternoon tea for a group of people over the age of 50 who suffer from hearing loss. Volunteers must be patient and caring and willing to sit and talk with service users, getting to know them and finding out more about how they live with hearing loss. Through the partnership charity, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, volunteers can also access training on the issues surrounding hearing loss and will offer basic advice in maintaining hearing aids. One Tuesday afternoon of the month. (Dates agreed in advance) 1pm 2.30pm Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd.

6 Children & Young People SPLODGE SPLAT SPECTRUM 09 PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE This project organises weekly play sessions for children aged 5 to 7 years living in the Maesgeirchen area of Bangor. Volunteers collect the children from their homes in a minibus before bringing them back to the Students Union for fun activities and games. This project is ideal for those interested in working with children. Volunteers need to be full of energy and ideas and have a good sense of humour. Every Tuesday evening in term time. 5.30pm 8.30pm Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd. This project organises weekly play sessions for children aged 7 to 11 years living in the Maesgeirchen area of Bangor. Volunteers collect the children from their homes in a minibus before bringing them back to the Students Union for fun activities and games. Once a month, the volunteers take the children on a trip out to a local attraction. This project is ideal for those interested in working with children. Volunteers need to be full of energy and ideas and have a good sense of humour. Every Thursday evening in term time. 5.30pm 8.30pm Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd. This project organises weekly play sessions for children aged 5 to 11 years who are affected by Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. Children attend the Students Union where the team of volunteers support them with fun activities whilst giving parents some time to themselves. This project is great for those seeking a career working with children with special needs. Volunteers need to be full of energy and ideas and have some understanding of Autism although full training will be provided. TIME COMMITMENT: Every Wednesday evening in term time. 5.30pm 8.30pm Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd.

7 PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE CONTINUED 11 SVB DRAGON SPORTS SVB COMMUNITY SPORTS RED CROSS MOBILE YOUTH PROJECT WITH THE BRITISH RED CROSS) TRACK & FIELD WITH MENAI TRACK & FIELD ATHLETICS CLUB) This project arranges for pairs of volunteers to attend local primary schools once a week to run after school sessions in sports for the children. The aim of the project is to encourage children to participate in sports activities, to try new sports and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Volunteers do not need any background training in sports, just an enthusiasm for leading the children in an active session of games. This project is particularly interesting for those wishing to gain experience in coaching or simply working with children. Once a week in term time. 3.15pm 4.30pm. Various Primary Schools throughout Bangor and the surrounding area. (Volunteers are assigned to a school depending on their availability). Transport is provided (or the cost refunded) by SVB. This project organises and facilitates weekly (and one-off) sports activities with local secondary school children after school. The aim of the project is to encourage children and young people to participate in sports activities, to try new sports and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Volunteers do not need any background training in sports, just an enthusiasm for leading the children and young people in active sessions. This project is particularly interesting for those wishing to gain experience in coaching or simply working with children. Once a week in term time. (One-off opportunities are also available). 3.15pm pm Various schools throughout Bangor and the surrounding area. (Volunteers are assigned to a school depending on their availability). Transport is provided (or the cost refunded) by SVB. The Red Cross Mobile Youth Project is a purpose built youth bus which visits rural areas during the evening to engage with local young people. The aim of the project is to widen access to information and volunteers are trained to engage with young people and signpost them to other organisations should they require support or assistance. Issues covered range from sexual health to money issues, housing and much more. Volunteers are paired up or put into a team of three and will operate the service one evening a week, as part of a larger team. The British Red Cross (who own and operate the service) work with the volunteer team and representatives from other agencies to identify areas most in need. The project also seeks to tackle anti-social behaviour. One evening a week in term time. 6pm-9pm. The bus is kept at the Normal Site and will attend towns and villages throughout Anglesey and North Gwynedd for on average 6-8 weeks at a time. This project works in partnership with the Menai Track & Field athletics club based at Treborth Athletics Track. A team of volunteers attend a weekly session to support the younger members of the club in their training and development by coaching and leading activities. Volunteers contribute to the planning and organisation of each session and must be aware of the individual needs of the children and young people. This project is particularly interesting for those wishing to work with children or to gain experience in coaching. Every Wednesday evening in term time. 6pm-9pm. Treborth Athletics Track. Transport is provided by SVB.

8 STUDENTS TAKE PART IN A VOLUNTEERING RESIDENTIAL AT FELIN UCHAF, ABERDARON. the enviroment THE BIG GIVE GREENER GWYNEDD BEACH CLEAN 13 PROJECTS AIMED AT HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT This project takes place during the months of May and June and enables students leaving the Bangor area for the summer to donate any unwanted items. A team of volunteers organise donation boxes and regular collections over a period of about one month and then sort the donated items for recycling or distribution to local charities. The aim of the project is to have as great an impact as possible on reducing the amount of landfill generated by those leaving halls of residence and to encourage students to support local good causes. This project is particularly useful for those wishing to volunteer for a one-off event as you can do as much or as little as you want. A diary of collection days is publicised at the beginning of May. Most volunteers sign up to volunteer on the days convenient with them and either do a whole or half day. Bryn Llinos, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd (with collections taking place throughout the campus). Transport is provided by SVB. This project organises regular one-off opportunities for volunteering on environmental projects and works in partnership with various organisations. The purpose of the project is to facilitate environmental volunteering amongst the student community by breaking down barriers which may prevent some people from volunteering outside of the Bangor area. Transport is provided for each activity and some out of pocket expenses can be refunded. SVB also provide appropriate clothing for the type of volunteering activity. TIME COMMITMENT: One-off opportunities usually on Saturdays or Sundays throughout university term time. Volunteers can attend as many or as few as they wish. Some events continue into the summer vacation for students remaining in the Bangor area. Various locations throughout Anglesey and Gwynedd. Transport is provided by SVB. This project organises litterpicks and cleans at beaches and coastal areas throughout Anglesey and Gwynedd. It s aim is to protect marine life and generally enhance the areas by removing waste items. One-off opportunities usually on Saturdays or Sundays throughout university term time. Volunteers can attend as many or as few as they wish. Some events continue into the summer vacation for students remaining in the Bangor area. Various locations throughout Anglesey and Gwynedd. Transport is provided by SVB.

9 SPORTS ANALYSIS community projects 15 Community sports clubs and groups in Bangor and the surrounding area can benefit from video performance analysis free of charge through this innovative and unique volunteering project. A team of volunteers give clubs and groups the opportunity to access skills and equipment usually only used at elite sports level. Volunteers attend club training sessions or matches, obtain video footage of the play and then using specialist software, analyse the performance of the team or the individual before feeding back to the club or coaching staff. This project is particularly good for those wishing to develop skills in sport performance analysis or coaching. GENERAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS Volunteers will be ready to respond to requests from local sports clubs and teams and will be dispatched to a club at a mutually convenient time. The analysis will be carried out at the Students Union at a time convenient with the volunteers involved within a short time frame of attending the club. Work will be organised by SVB Staff. Various locations throughout Anglesey and Gwynedd. Transport is provided by SVB.

10 STUDENTS ENJOYING RAG S HARRY POTTER FUNDRAISER volunteering experience & raising funds 17 PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE AND RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITY SVB PROMOTIONS TEAM The SVB Promotions Team publicises volunteering and SVB in the university and wider community. Throughout the academic year the team members showcase the positive impact of the work of the organisation through attendance at university and community events. Volunteers also raise funds to help support the work of the organisation. Weekly daytime meetings during term time (which day of the week the meetings take place is agreed upon by the group at the beginning of each semester as a time convenient with everyone). One-off-events throughout the year SVB Meeting Room, The Students Union, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd. BANGOR RAG Bangor RAG organises fundraising events throughout the academic year and encourages as many students as possible to get involved in regular and one-off fundraising volunteering. A committee of regular volunteers meets once a week in term time to plan events and then additional roles are created for each individual event or activity making it ideal for those wishing to volunteer on one-off events. Weekly meetings for committee members during term time (which day of the week the meetings take place is agreed upon by the group at the beginning of each semester as a time convenient with everyone). One-off events throughout the year. Committee meetings take place at the SVB Meeting Room, The Students Union, Victoria Drive, Bangor, Gwynedd. NEW PROJECTS Student Volunteering Bangor is currently in the process of developing several new projects including a community sports project, an extension of the current AGRO project, a Homework Club with local secondary schools, a new project supporting parents who are learning English and a service for teenagers with Autism. If you or anyone you know has an idea for a project or recognises a need for a particular service in the community, please get in touch with SVB staff or drop into the SVB office to tell us about it. We are always on the lookout for new project ideas and just because it s not mentioned in this booklet, doesn t mean that it couldn t be set up this academic year. To find out about up and coming events, projects and opportunities, join our mailing list or find us on Facebook.