>> Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)

Voluntary Opportunities 2nd September 2008

families, seeks volunteers to ‘shake a bucket’ in the Oracle Shopping Centre
during week 8th – 14 September. Time commitment to suit the volunteer.

RAFA (Royal Air Forces Association) seeks collectors for its Annual Battle
of Britain Wings Appeal in Broad Street on Saturday, 20 September. Even 2
or 3 hours would be greatly appreciated.

Home-Start Reading is looking for volunteers to offer friendship and support
to young families who are going through a tough time. Volunteers should
have parenting experience and be able to give three hours a week. All
expenses will be paid. The next preparation course takes place in Whitley
on 9 Tuesday mornings 10am-1pm starting on Tuesday 4 November.

Reading Credit Union seeks volunteers with an understanding of the role of a
Credit Union and with personal finance, customer service and good
communication skills to assist with general office work, book-keeping,
answering telephone, filing etc. 2-3 hours perhaps on one or two days a
week are needed. References and Police checks are required.

Reading Voluntary Sector Forum gives local voluntary and community groups
the opportunity to meet, consult and debate issues of importance to the
sector. The Forum seeks a Treasurer/Book-keeper - ideally someone who
already does some work with voluntary organisations – to act as an advocate
for the Forum and the voluntary sector in Reading. Meetings take place
approx. every 4-6 months lunchtimes or evenings with follow up work as
necessary.

Earleybus Community Minibus Project seeks volunteers for up to an hour and a half on Wednesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays to provide office
administration, answer telephone and organise volunteer drivers’ schedules.
Volunteers should have good handwriting and command of English. The Project provides affordable community transport for groups including wheelchair provision.

Reading Young Enterprise seeks volunteers with business experience to
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.

GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) seeks:-.
(a) Volunteers who are committed to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender 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.
(b) 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.

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.

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.