Only 5 Days left to nominate – RCVDA Volunteer Awards 2016
RCVDA Volunteer Awards 2016
The Marquee Westfield Farm,
The Green, Dormanstown, Redcar TS10 5NA
Thursday 14th July 1 pm – 4 pm
Just a reminder that the closing date for nominations is fast approaching!
Following the huge success of last year’s Volunteer Awards we are once again presenting the awards followed by Afternoon Tea in the marquee in beautiful setting of Westfield Farm.
CATEGORIES
There are 8 categories this year and once again we have not included a generic “Adult Volunteer” category so nominators will have to think about which category best suits their volunteer/team. You can find the electronic nomination form on our website www.rcvda.org.uk simply complete and press submit by: Tuesday 31st May 2016.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
A volunteer who has “gone the extra mile” this year – this could be by the amount of time they have dedicated to their particular project or the difference they have made to the lives of their service users.
YOUNG VOLUNTEER/TEAM (under 21)
Do you know a young volunteer/team who has exemplified all that is good in our young people i.e. by representation, inter- generational initiatives, involvement in their community.
COMMUNITY SAFETY CHAMPION/TEAM
We are looking for a person/team in your community who makes your neighbourhood a ‘safer place to be’ e.g. neighbourhood watch, campaigning for facilities.
HEALTH & WELLBEING CHAMPION/TEAM
This individual/team would have had a direct effect on the physical/mental health or lifestyle of residents of Redcar & Cleveland. Examples could include befriending, sports clubs, health support groups, etc.
INNOVATION AWARD
An individual or group which has demonstrated innovative approaches or enterprise in tackling an issue within their community.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION/TEAM
This individual/team would have had a direct effect on the appearance of your community. Examples could include Litter picking, conservation or gardening etc.
RCVDA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
A person who has dedicated years of effective service to the community/project they are passionate about.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY GROUP AWARD
A group/team who has dedicated years of effective service to the community/project they are passionate about.
YOUR NOMINATION
Please give some time to writing a pen portrait of your nomination. The judges can only make a decision based on what you write so the more detail of the qualities of your volunteer/team the better chance they have of winning the award.
A few tips for writing a winning nomination:
- Take time to identify the award category that are relevant to your nominee’s contribution
- Say something about who the volunteer is
- Say something about what the volunteer/group does
- Tell us what makes them stand out and give an example to illustrate this
- Focus on the difference they have made to their community/your organisation/local people
All nominated volunteers will receive a certificate and those shortlisted (and their nominator) will receive an invitation to the event.
Please submit nominations to RCVDA by Tuesday 31st May 2016
Good luck everyone!
Trish
Voices for Volunteers Co-ordinators Forum
Some of you may remember Voices for Volunteers which was a networking forum for Managers of Volunteers across the South Tees held in partnership with Middlesbrough Volunteer Centre.
We are re-starting the forum and the first meeting will be on Tuesday 14th June 10 am – 12 noon at North Ormesby Community Hub Derwent St Middlesbrough TS3 6JB. The forum is an opportunity to colleagues to meet other managers, share Good Practice, access training and stay updated on any national news related to volunteering. If you would like to attend please complete this application form.
Seeking Storage and/or Donations!
The Cleveland Fire Support Network, has recently set up an on-line charity shop and are seeking donations and if possible volunteer support to manage this site. One of the areas they are in urgent need of is storage space so that donations can be securely placed until either sold on or donated freely to those affected by flood or house fires in the Cleveland area.
If you have any space available or would like to find out more please get in touch with Heather on 01642 288009.
Employer Sponsored Volunteering
Employer Sponsored Volunteering: Realising the Potential in the North East.
Friday 10th June 2016 – Tyne Metropolitan College (Coast Road Campus), Battle Hill Drive, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear NE28 9NL
8am – 1.30pm including breakfast and lunch
The University of Sheffield and the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, in collaboration with a range of partners from across the voluntary, private, and education sectors, are delighted to announce details of a major regional workshop on the topic of employer-supported volunteering.
This is your chance to hear about the impact that employer-supported volunteering can have on businesses, employees, charities and communities alike, to learn about some of the approaches being taken in the North East, and to meet brokerage organisations who can make it work for you.
Businesses – by attending you will get the chance to:
- Hear about the business benefits of investing in employer-supported volunteering;
- Hear from organisations (businesses and charities) who have benefited from meaningful employer-supported volunteering ranging from ‘team challenge’ days, skills-based capacity-building, direct work with beneficiaries, micro-volunteering and trusteeship;
- Meet brokerage organisations who can help you devise a bespoke approach to employer-supported volunteering;
- Hear about the challenges facing the North East’s voluntary organisations and the people they support and consider how employer-supported volunteering might make a difference.
Charities – come along and:
- Give us your views as to how employer-supported volunteering can be meaningful for the voluntary sector and the people you work with;
- Meet businesses and brokerage organisations who may be able to provide your organisation with time, expertise, capacity and enthusiasm that helps you to help others.
Key questions for discussion on the day might include:
- How do we ensure that the skills and resources on offer from businesses are a good match for the sector’s needs?
- How can small voluntary organisations benefit from the time and expertise on offer from large corporate businesses?
- How can SMEs meaningfully donate time and expertise to support voluntary organisations working in their neighbourhood?
- How do we ensure that there are solutions for different types of volunteering (individual, small-team, or large-team) and distribution of volunteering time (hours or days, intensive or spread-out)?
- Who should pay?!
Speakers will include Jane Hartley, CEO of the Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE), Dr Joanne Cook from the University of Sheffield, Paul Schofield from the Office for Civil Society and a range of beneficiaries of meaningful employer-supported volunteering in the North East.
The event has been organised by the University of Sheffield; you can book your place by visiting http://management.sheffield.ac.uk/events/employer-sponsored-volunteering-newcastle/
Asset Transfers: Opportunity or Liability?
Property Workshop and Advice Clinic
Wednesday 13th July 2016 10am-4pm
Community Foundation, Philanthropy House, Woodbine Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1DD
Charities and community groups are increasingly choosing to take on asset transfers from local authorities as a means of acquiring property. However without proper management, any property is at risk of becoming a liability, with unforeseen costs and unexpected problems putting strain on organisations which are often already overworked.
Property Workshop 10am – 1pm
This training is designed to give a jargon free, accessible introduction and overview of how to make asset transfers a success:
- How taking on an asset can benefit your organisation
- How to engage with local authorities
- Business planning to assess the viability and sustainability of taking on community buildings
- Legal structures and governance issues to consider when considering taking on community buildings
- Identifying ‘hidden’ hazards or responsibilities: what are you ACTUALLY taking on
- Common mistakes and how to deal with them
- Lessons from others
Property Advice Clinic 2-4pm
The half day training session will be followed by a property advice clinic to give you the chance to have a 20 minute session with one of our advisers, on an individual basis. The clinic will have one lawyer and one property adviser. Spaces are limited.
Booking
Please fill in the booking form here
Cleveland Fire Brigade – FREE Safety Presentations
Andrew Bright, Learn and Live Coordinator with Cleveland Fire Brigade is offering to deliver FREE safety presentations to community groups across the Cleveland area.
Both sessions last for a maximum of one hour and there are no costs involved in booking the sessions. The sessions can be delivered during the day or on an evening subject to his availability.
The Home Fire Safety session gives groups an overview of the key risks in the home that may result in a fire incident. The session examines escape strategies and how to respond if a fire incident occurs. The session can be tailored to a broad range of audiences across a scale of needs and learning abilities.
The Road Safety session looks at the key risks to injury and loss of life on the road known nationally as the ‘Fatal Four’.
If you require more information or wish to book a session they can contact Andrew by email or on 07725 956570.
FREE – First Aid for 10 to 19 Year Olds
British Red Cross are running some fully funded first aid workshops to provide young people up to the age of 19 with the essential skills and confidence to help in a first aid emergency.
For more information contact the Youth Support Centre on 0344 412 2734.
FREE Street Eats Events
In June Groundwork are holding some Street Eats – Allotment Gardening Activities. Take a look at their poster of events here.