We bring you a round-up of news from across England covering conservation, local politics, psychology, disability, refugees and asylum seekers, plus news from a leading veterinary charity and news about a volunteering conference and awards.
Wildlife is set to get a helping hand from a network of young volunteers, as Dorset Wildlife Trust has recently been awarded £176,000 funding from youth volunteering charity, v. The grant will enable Dorset Wildlife Trust to embark on a three year project to set up a network of youth-led environmental groups. Steve Davis, volunteering programme manager at Dorset Wildlife Trust said: “This generous grant will allow us to offer lots of environmental volunteering opportunities specifically to people aged 16 to 25, like volunteer nature reserve warden positions, full time volunteer posts and conservation taster days." Dorset Wildlife Trust’s youth volunteering project is one of 152 projects across the country, which will be funded by v as part of vinvolved. Vinvolved is a new national youth volunteering programme, backed by £75 million funding, which aims to inspire half a million more young people to volunteer in England. The DWT Volunteering Programme team would like to hear from young people or youth groups. For more information please visit the DWT web link on the right hand side of this article or the Volunteer Programme office on 01202 642788 or email volunteering@dorsetwildlife.co.uk
East Cambridgeshire District Council is asking residents to become advisers to help it gather views on new plans for changes to policies and services. A council spokesman said individuals would be selected from a list of residents who might be affected by these kinds of changes. The people who are chosen to become advisers will be sent a copy of the proposal and following on from this their views will be considered during any consultation process.
Researchers from the University of Plymouth are seeking volunteers to help them discover whether you can think yourself happy, according to a BBC News online report. Prof Michael Hyland said: "Psychologists have found that there are simple ways everyone can improve their mood, but people are often unaware." Three techniques are involved; thinking about things you are grateful for, thinking about achievements and questioning negative thoughts. Each one will take about 10 minutes each day, which researchers say has been effective in the past.
A North Yorkshire charity for blind and visually impaired people has appealed for volunteers to help organise a fundraising ball. The event will raise money for Henshaws Yorkshire which provides a range of educational, residential, day-care and community services including an arts and crafts centre in Knaresborough and community housing in the Harrogate area. The charity is looking for local volunteers to help make the ball a success and to beat the £20,000 raised at last year's event. Henshaws principal Caroline Smale said: "This is a chance to be involved in one of the area's most successful fundraising balls, contribute to a very worthwhile cause, meet new people and have a lot of fun at the same time." To volunteer as a ball committee member call Viki Nixon at Henshaws on 01423 814 500 or email victoria.nixon@henshaws.org.uk.
A leading veterinary charity is calling on animal lovers to switch off their televisions and spend the time volunteering to help sick and injured pets instead. PDSA relies on the public to help raise £4 million each month for its free PetAid services and has launched a hunt for volunteers to coincide with International TV-Turnoff Week. The charity is looking for retail assistants for some of its 180 charity shops and organisers to set up pub quizzes as part of its fundraising group. Janet Compton, Head of Volunteering, said: "There are plenty of activities out there that are more interesting than watching TV, and volunteering is one of them. PDSA has over 4,800 volunteers who all donate their time for free to help sick and injured pets. In return, PDSA volunteers make new friends, meet new people, learn new skills and enhance their CV - much more exciting watching TV." PDSA provides free veterinary care for the sick and injured pets of people who are unable to afford veterinary fees.
A charity in east London that supports families, homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers has scooped a £15,000 grant. Healthy Living Projects developed out of the Ilford High Road Baptist Church and oversees a range of initiatives to help people who are socially and economically isolated. The funding has come from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, which supports charities that help disadvantaged people to play a fuller role in the community. The money will help cover the salary of a volunteer co-ordinator based at the charity's Welcome Project on Green Lane, which provides meals, advice, laundry, shower facilities and clothes to more than 60 people each week. Phil Herbert, manager at Healthy Living Projects, said: "We have a strong and dedicated group of volunteers who help with food preparation and reception amongst other activities. The new volunteer co-ordinator will help ensure that we provide them with appropriate support including training and development." Anyone interested in volunteering with Healthy Living Projects can call 020 8220 4111.
Henry Stewart’s conference on The Changing Face of Volunteering on 10th June in London will explore the most recent challenges of volunteer management and will highlight how to adapt volunteer programmes to reflect these issues. The event will address the types of people who volunteer, particularly generational differences and growing diversity. Delegates will hear presentations on the trends, tools and techniques that volunteer managers need to increasingly learn to use. For further information please contact Sally Nastys by emailing sallyn@henrystewart.co.uk or visit the web link on the right hand side of this article.
Southwark Council hosted the annual ‘Enough is Enough’ awards, to celebrate the achievements of local residents, who have tackled the problems of anti-social behaviour, at the Tate Modern on May 2. The awards recognise individuals and groups in the borough, who have transformed their communities by taking a stand against issues such as intimidation, vandalism, nuisance neighbours, harassment, graffiti and littering. Winners are nominated by officers from a range of services that make up the Safer Southwark Partnership and who recognise the positive impact that these individuals or groups have made in their communities.
