>> Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)

Voluntary Opportunities 26th August 2008

support and advise students (16-18 years old) in local schools on how to run
a business as a young enterprise company for 1 year. Time commitment is 1-2 hours per week negotiable to suit the volunteer. References and Police
checks are required.

Reading University seeks volunteers who are able to complete a 2 mile walk
comfortably to become Walk Leaders to lead walks on the Whiteknights Campus for one hour on Mondays 10-11am, starting on 6 October, as part of ‘Walk your way to Health’ community walks scheme that is open to anyone to improve health and social interaction for people and promoted by health visitors and doctors’ surgeries Training for volunteers is provided on Monday 15 September, 3-8pm. Walk Leaders need to be available at least once a month

Mothertongue, an organisation that offers practical and emotional support to
people from ethnic minority communities, is holding an Information Day for
volunteers in Reading 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 Berks seeks (a) 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.
(b) Volunteers with good social skills and an interest in gardening to
assist with the running of a gardening course on Mondays 10am-1pm – general assistance, help making refreshments and taking a register of attendance on a weekly basis. The course commences on Monday 8 September. Support is provided by members of staff and volunteers can attend Age Concern training as required.

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.
(d) Volunteers who are committed to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
(GLBT) issues to become Committee members, helping to plan each year’s Pride
festival and other fund-raising events and help with the smooth running of
the organisation and event. The evening meetings take place between
Monday-Saturday and can be flexible.
(e) Volunteer with previous experience as a treasurer to keep the books and
produce annual accounts for Reading Pride; also to attend regular committee
meetings as arranged. The Treasurer works mainly from home.

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.

Reading Dispensary Trust seeks a volunteer with accounting or senior
financial background to become Hon. Treasurer to oversee accounting and
bookkeeping by the staff of the Trust, present monthly Treasurer’s report to
trustees, advise the Chairman, examine the accounts of organisations
applying for grants, liaise with trustees’ broker on investments. The Hon.
Treasurer is expected to be a Trustee which carries a 5-year term of office.
Monthly meetings held on 2nd Tuesday in the month from 10.15-12.15 approx.

Tiny Tots Pre-School, Grazeley, aims to provide children with social,
intellectual and physical development through constructive and challenging
play Tuesday-Friday mornings. Volunteers who are caring and preferably with teaching skills are sought for 3 hours between 8.30-9am, finishing
12.00-12.30pm to set up activities, play with the children and provide
snacks. References and Police checks are required.

Reading Single Homeless Project seeks volunteers with training and
experience in psychiatric work, and with good social skills, to give support
and advice to service users and their support workers regarding issues of
mental health. Volunteers are needed ideally for 6 hours on Wednesdays but
could be any day between Monday and Friday. Training in health and safety,
confidentiality, etc. is provided together with monthly supervision.
References and Police checks are required.

The National Autistic Society Befriending Scheme seeks volunteers who can
spend a few hours each week with a person with autism or Aspergers Syndrome or their family. Time commitment is normally 2-3 hours a week or once a fortnight, and can be flexible to suit each family. References and Police
checks are required.

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.

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, or email at
vol2@volaction.demon.co.uk or visit our web site www.r-v-a.org. There is an
answerphone service on Fridays.