August's vMail

Welcome to August's vMail.

I hope all the vMailers out there are having a fantastic summer. If you would like to fill August with some summer-volunteering, then please take a look at our exciting opportunities below:

NEWS

Our Website
Check out our new look website http://bit.ly/cLgjST which is packed full of useful information about why you should volunteer, our latest recommendations on what is hot in the world of volunteering opportunities, past editions of our newsletters and amazing case studies about young people's experiences. You can find out all about how to get involved in our project and even register with us online. Happy browsing! Let us know your thoughts and if you have any suggestions drop Ruth an email - ruth@volunteer.co.uk

Encompass Trust
Encompass Trust, a Westminster-based youth development charity working to promote intercultural understanding and active citizenship around the world, have a fantastic opportunity:
“We live in an increasingly culturally diverse society, yet many of the problems experienced around the world today are caused by ignorance of other peoples’ cultures and the fear that this causes. Encompass believes that through experience-based learning, young people can create a stronger society by learning about the people with whom they share their communities.”
Applications are now open for the November 2010 Encompass ‘Journey of Understanding’ programme, a 9-day international residential programme which brings together 24 young people from Israel, Palestine, Indonesia, the US and the UK. We are now looking for young people aged 16-24 from in and around London to make up the UK delegation. If you have any questions or would like any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Erika (erika@encompasstrust.org) or Naseera (naseera@encompasstrust.org).

Roots and Shoots
Roots and Shoots, based in Kennington, is an accredited Training Provider for Foundation Learning, designed for students 16-19 who are at Entry Level (1-3), or 16-25 year olds who have a statement of learning difficulty. They offer a 40 week holistic programme of vocational training, functional skills with work experience, providing students with as much support as they need to get them back into education, helping them to develop their career goals and personal interests. They are currently recruiting students for our September programme. For more information or to make a referral, please contact Matt Brownlee, Youth Employment Worker, at Roots and Shoots employmentofficer@rootsandshoots.org.uk

Intergenerational Workshop - Beth Johnson Foundation and London Youth
We are looking for young people aged 15-20 to take part in a free workshop that we are running to look at Young People’s views on age, aging and their relationships with people in other age groups. These workshops will form part of a wider research project for the Beth Johnson Foundation, which we hope will challenge some of the stereotypes of young people, create a much more open discussion on the issue and go about changing the way that Intergenerational work is developed in this country. The deadline for applications is 13 August. If interested, please contact Carl for an Application Form: carl.clarke@londonyouth.org.uk

EVOLVE

This month, I have been busy interviewing for the new recruits of eVolve. There have been some fantastic applicants so far, but I still have some more to go! I look forward to updating all vMailers with who has ended up as an eVolve Champion! I have also been in contact with film production companies to mentor eVolve in the Autumn to create a short-film promoting youth volunteering, and evaluate the work of vInvolved Central London. So watch this space!

OPPORTUNITIES

The Westminster Society: Football Fundraising Volunteers
If football is your passion, please come along to the Football Fundraiser for Trendsetters at the Westminster Society.Trendsetters support disadvantaged youths and also provides different services such as homeless outreach. For this reason we have arranged a football tournament fundraiser on the 14th August 2010. If any staff members would like to take part or know of anyone who would be interested, please contact Rashana on: 079 5863 3727 or rreid@wspld.org

DKH Legacy Trust: Wandsworth Young Leader
The DKH Legacy Trust are currently recruiting for a young leader as part of their London 2010 Young Legacy Trust. The young leaders will be developing and delivering a range of volunteering opportunities in their local community. This is an exciting opportunity to play a high profile role in the delivery of the London 2012 Games, and you will participate in an 18 month training programme designed to improve your interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. All young leaders need to be from Wandsworth and need to have been 16 years old, but not older, on January 1st 2010. For more information on how to apply please contact Carly Duffett, Young Leaders Project Manager, on carly.duffett@dkhlegacytrust.org or 0207 7438600. or 0207 7438600.

Benjamin Franklin House: Marketing and Fundraising Volunteer
This role would be particularly suited to an individual with strong interest in marketing and fundraising within the charity and heritage industry. The full time volunteer will help with three main areas - marketing the historical experience to national and international visitors, developing marketing material, research on grants to trusts and foundations, marketing and coordinating the friends scheme, prepare and run historical experience for visitors. The role is very varied and is great opportunity for young person interested in developing a career in marketing or fundraising. Must be 18. Please contact Sally: 02078392006 or education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org

Friendship Network: Telephone Befriending Volunteer
Volunteer Telephone befrienders are needed to call one or more older people on weekly basis. The volunteers establish contact with the older person, agree a convenient time to phone and make a commitment to phone regularly. The purpose of the call is to chat, listen to any problems or issues that older person wants to talk about, and if necessary suggest other local organisations and services that can be of benefit. This important role helps to reduce loneliness and isolation and in helping older people to stay well and safe. Training provided and expenses paid. Ideal experience for someone aiming to make a career in caring profession. Age 16 upwards (Also, Telephone befrienders are needed in languages, including Hindu, Greek and Russian to call one or more older people on weekly basis). Please contact Avril: 02075615264 or avril@manorgardenscentre.org

Tolerance International: Youth Workshop Leader
Run workshops as part of embracing Tolerance Youth Programme in London schools, youth clubs and religious organisations. The overall aim of the programme is to address issues of discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes among 11-18 year olds by promoting religious and ethnic tolerance, encouraging community cohesion and combating religious extremism. Volunteers will help run these workshops, facilitating discussions and brain storming sessions - getting response from the young people present and encouraging participation in the session. You will also be supervising drama activities and encouraging relevant contributions and ideas. This role is perfect for person interesting in developing a career working with young people. You will get great experience in leading classroom discussions. Should have strong leadership skills and passion about ideas of tolerance and understanding. Over 18 only! Please contact Adam: 02076030062 or vancancies@toleranceinternational.org.uk

Wandsworth Police: Front Desk Volunteer
To help out with front desk to support station reception officer at Wandsworth police stations, mainly based actually at Wandsworth station. Tasks will include help reduce public waiting - helping people to sign in (if on bail), giving directions or lost property. Tasks can vary as never know what you are going to get. More complex issues dealt with by SRO. Must be 18 and during weekdays only. Please contact Carol: 02082478022 or Carol.beckford@met.police.uk

London Youth: Party Planners
An exciting opportunity to help organise a celebration event for a youth works volunteering group. Youth Works trains young people to become youth workers, the young people volunteer full time for 6 months in a youth club whilst taking a foundation in Youth Work qualification. Our current group of young people have just come to the end of their 6 months and we would like to have a big celebration event for them and this is where you come in! We need 10 young people (aged 16-25) who are interested in helping to facilitate this celebration event; it will very much be your own project as you are joining at the beginning stages so a brilliant opportunity. Travel expenses will be covered and refreshments will be provided at the meetings! If you are interested please send an email explaining why you are interested in this opportunity to nikky.alagbe@londonyouth.org.uk. We will then be in contact for an informal meeting.

Greater London Volunteering: Events Calendar Volunteer
Greater London Volunteering operates a popular online event volunteering calendar. The calendar lists events happening around London which require volunteers, for charity runs, clean-up days and bucket-shaking fundraising. We are seeking a volunteer to support the updating of the calendar on a regular basis, to answer enquiries about the calendar and to widen the number of London organisations who notify us about their volunteer events so that Greater London Volunteering can promote them on the calendar. Please contact Lianna: 02079537317 or liana@glv.org.uk

FULL TIME VOLUNTEERING

A full-time voluntary opportunity is a chance to get vital work experience, by committing to volunteer 30 hours per week for 3 months. It looks great on your CV and will stand you in good stead next time you have to fill in an application form or need to give a good example at a job interview! A placement can give you valuable work experience and greater confidence as you develop your skills and progress in your career. You'll even be encouraged to take advantage of training opportunities, as well as keeping a log of hours and work for rapid progression towards a vAward. Here is our full-time opportunity of the month:
Benjamin Franklin House: Education Volunteer. This role would be particularly suited to an individual with strong interest in heritage education. The full time volunteer will help with the running of the core education programme, and also in the running of special education events and projects. Tasks include helping with admin tasks, devise new ways to attract schools and visitors to the education days, help manage school days, promote and market educational events, prepare and run historical experience for visitors. The role is very varied and is great opportunity for young person interested in developing a career in education or museums. Must be 18. Please contact Sally: education@benjaminfranklinhouse.org or 02078392006.

Thank you for reading this month's vMail.

See you again next month!