>> Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)

Voluntary Opportunities 19 August 2008

• Mothertongue
• Age Concern Berkshire
• 2008 Gay Pride Festival
• Thames Valley Positive Support
• Independent Lay Observers
• Denefield School
• Daisy’s Dream
• Dee Park Residents’ Association
• Age Concern Woodley

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or would like to know more about volunteering, please visit us at the Volunteer Centre Reading on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10am – 2pm. If you cannot visit the Centre, ring us on 0118 957 4123 (there is an answerphone service on Fridays), or email at vol2@volaction.demon.co.uk or visit our web site: www.r-v-a.org



Mothertongue

Mothertongue, an organisation that offers practical and emotional support to people from ethnic minority communities, is holding an Information Day in
Reading for volunteers on Monday 15th September, 12-2pm. Volunteers will learn how to help people from diverse cultural backgrounds access mainstream services, e.g. education, training, medical services, communicate effectively in English and other languages, learn about the agencies in Reading and how to make referrals, etc. For more information please contact the Volunteer Centre.

Age Concern Berkshire

Age Concern Berks seeks volunteers with good social skills and mobility to welcome and register people attending an 8-week tai chi course from 10.15-11.45am on Tuesdays, starting on 9 September in Reading. Volunteers will be supported by staff and Age Concern training is available.

2008 Gay Pride Festival

The 2008 Gay Pride Festival is being held at King’s Meadow on Saturday, 30 August, and volunteers are sought for 3 hour sessions:-
(a) putting up security fencing around the site of the Festival on Wednesday afternoon/evening, 27 August
(b) stewarding during Saturday 30 August, 9am-9pm approx. helping people with general enquiries, co-ordinating market stallholders, working with the Committee to ensure the smooth running of Pride. Previous stewarding/event management is desirable. Induction training is given 1 evening the week before Pride.
(c) to join a team of volunteers with basic DIY skills on Sunday, 31 August, to take down and pack away ‘Harris’ fencing after the previous day’s Festival.

Thames Valley Positive Support

Thames Valley Positive Support, an organisation that supports people with HIV and their families/carers, seeks a volunteer with cooking experience to choose, buy and prepare food for a cooked meal for between 6 & 20 people on Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm approx., at their drop-in centre in West Reading. Catering experience is desirable and a car driver would be useful. Food safety and hygiene training is provided and volunteer assistance in the kitchen when available. References and Police checks are required.

Independent Lay Observers

Independent Lay Observers are required to check that prisoners escorted by private companies are treated decently and with respect. Volunteers should have good interpersonal skills and the ability to write short reports. They would be required to visit and inspect court custody suites, prisons and custody vehicles, across the Thames Valley Region to ensure that prisoners are treated decently, humanely and with respect whilst in custody. Time commitment is 3 hours on two days a month which can be flexible to suit the volunteer. Full training is given and full support is provided. Own transport is essential. Mileage and other out of pocket expenses can be claimed. References and Police checks are required.

Denefield School

Denefield School seeks volunteers with experience of working with children/young people and their families, who are interested in designing and building working models, to support the session Leaders running Saturday morning construction workshops. The role will involve helping to set up tools and equipment, assist with clearing away at the end of the session and helping family members with designing/building their models. The sessions are based on ‘Scrapheap Challenge’ and involve family teams creating small-scale working models. Hands-on training is given with ongoing support from the Extended Schools Manager. References and Police checks are required. Reasonable travel expenses will be paid. This 5-year project is funded by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.

Daisy’s Dream

Daisy’s Dream, a bereavement support service for children and their families, seeks volunteers to ‘shake a bucket’ in the Oracle Shopping Centre during week 8th – 14 September. Time commitment to suit the volunteer.

Dee Park Residents’ Association

Dee Park Residents’ Association seeks a volunteer with IT/e-mail skills to take minutes of meetings held on 2nd Wednesday of each month, for 3 hours, write e-mails and communicate with other members. On-going training as required, via RFTRA (Reading Federation of Tenants and Residents’ Association), is provided.

Age Concern Woodley

Age Concern Woodley provides a range of services and care for older people. A volunteer, preferably an accountant, is sought to assist with managing the accounts - 20 hours per month at present which can be flexible, but this will diminish in the future. A little daytime availability would be required. References and Police checks are required.



If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or would like to know more about volunteering, please visit us at the Volunteer Centre Reading on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 10am – 2pm. If you cannot visit the Centre, ring us on 0118 957 4123 (there is an answerphone service on Fridays), or email at vol2@volaction.demon.co.uk or visit our web site: www.r-v-a.org