BEANSTALK – READING HELPERS
Beanstalk is a national literacy charity that recruits, vets, trains and supports volunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading. Beanstalk reading helpers work with children on a one-to-one basis, giving them their full attention and support to improve reading levels, increase overall confidence and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Each Beanstalk reading helper works with three children and sees each child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for a whole year. Together, they read, play and talk. With Beanstalk’s support the child’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is often transformed.
We are currently recruiting volunteer Reading Helpers to work in primary schools in East Cleveland and would particularly welcome applications from residents of Skelton and the surrounding villages. For more information please visit our website: www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk or telephone us on 020 7729 4087.
CARERS TOGETHER – COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
Carers Together offer friendly and confidential services that aim to ease the pressure of caring. Our team of staff and volunteers are on hand to help carers with any issues they may face, including benefits, health problems, housing, training, employment, taking a break from caring or concerns about the person they care for.
We need volunteers to provide an information and support service for carers to help improve their health and wellbeing and minimise the risk of social isolation by providing regular contact and practical support, with direction from the Volunteer Coordinator. Also to support carers in accessing local community activities, services and events.
The volunteer should have a Knowledge of Safeguarding, a working knowledge of local services, community events and activities, and a willingness to support carers to access these services.
You need to understand the challenges facing carers and be flexible, reliable and patient. An understanding of appropriate boundaries, the need for confidentiality and a non-judgemental approach is necessary as is a good sense of humour.
Training will be provided for all volunteers which will include an overview of the work of Carers Together, communication, safeguarding and equality & diversity.
THE LINK – GROUP SUPPORT x 2
The Link helps families who don’t have access to support or activities to encourage happy, confident children, empower resilient young people and build secure positive families. We believe that no child, young person or family should have to face emotional distress or mental health alone.
Children and young people’s singing group support worker
Planet Funk is a weekly session for children and young people who like singing, song writing and playing music. It is a time where they can experiment and expand their experience with their peers. We have a professional musician who coordinates the group and instruments they can use.
We need someone to support the musician and the young people, many who have emotional wellbeing issues, to enjoy and participate in the group. You will need to be able to communicate and empathise with young people and be willing to join in as and when needed. The session runs from 4.30 – 6pm on a Wednesday, term time only, and you would need to be available to help set up and tidy up after the session.
Children and young people’s activities group support worker
Our Activities groups are weekly sessions for children, young people and, if appropriate, their siblings who have experienced some emotional distress. It is a time where they can experience various activities with their peers. Tuesdays are for under 10’s and Thursday for over 10’s.
We need someone to support the workers and the young people, many who have emotional well being issues, to enjoy and participate in the group. You will need to be able to communicate and empathise with young people and be willing to join in as and when needed. The sessions run from 4.00 – 5.3 0pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, term time only, and you would need to be available to help set up and tidy up after the session.
SKINNINGROVE LINK UP – VOLUNTEER ALLOTMENT GARDENER
The village of Skinningrove is a community breathing ideas that are caught and are developed by an enterprising community hub called Skinningrove Link Up (SLU). Skinningrove Link-Up is anchored into the community it represents and is professionally driven by people who care.
We need volunteer gardeners to get involved in all aspects of our allotment, according to season priorities, including preparation and maintenance of beds – sowing, weeding, harvesting, clearing plots and maintenance of tools.
No experience is necessary though some knowledge of allotment gardening would be useful.
You will be fully supported throughout your time with us and relevant training will be given to assist you in your role with SLU. We are confident that you will enjoy your role and that you will feel part of our dedicated team.
BLAZE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY PROJECT
Blaze is a charity based on Grangetown inspired by the Christian faith. Blaze exists to love people and the community by journeying with them through the highs and lows of life, helping people love themselves and others. We specialise in educating children, youth and families in building positive relationships, family values and life skills that will ignite brighter futures
We work in Primary and Secondary Schools. We deliver Change Your World Courses for Children, teaching them skills and giving them opportunity to positively change their environment. We deliver UNCUT in secondary school, getting young people to be real, inform them of healthy life choices and inspire them to think positively about their futures.
We have three volunteering opportunities:
CHILDRENS WORKER
Volunteers are needed to support Blaze staff run our busy children’s club at Grangetown Primary school on Tuesdays between 3 and 5.15 pm. Volunteers help organise play activities, teach life skills in a fun and upbeat environment, encourage the children to participate and build relationships, learning and development through the importance of play.
You will need lots of energy, patience and enthusiasm, a caring and calm nature and most important – a sense of fun! Too get the best out of this role you need to be willing to get fully involved with a hands on attitude. Commitment is essential in order to build a trusting relationship with the children.
FAMILY OUTREACH SUPPORT
Blaze are looking for volunteers who can make a positive difference to children and families in Grangetown. The volunteer will complement the support provided to families by the staff at their monthly Friday night event for local families who come together to eat, socialise and learn some life skills as a family.
Our volunteers will be expected to chat with families and children throughout the evening, gradually building up positive relationships, offering emotional support alongside practical help and an understanding of the challenges some families face. The role also involves organising games/activities for the younger children on the night.
YOUTH OUTREACH
Blaze aims to develop young people’s skills and attitudes rather than remedy “problem behaviours” and our volunteers help us to enhance the level of support we are able to provide.
We need volunteers for our Youth Outreach project which runs on Friday evenings and involves speaking to young people who are out on the streets and local estates. You will be part of a team, engaging and supporting vulnerable and at risk young people, building positive relationships to help create trust, give them a voice, a feeling of inclusion and a belief in themselves. As part of our team you will be listening for and identifying possible support issues that we may be able to help with or signpost to other agencies.
You will need to: have a non-judgemental attitude and an ability to relate to young people and good communication skills, particularly when listening to the young people. We hope to be able to offer information and guidance in a friendly but professional manner, your commitment to this role is important when building the young person’s trust.
If you are interested in any of these volunteering opportunities or would like more information, please contact Trish Waters on trish@rcvda.org.uk or telephone 01642 440571.