Swan Advocacy
Much of our work depends on volunteers and we are always looking for more people to join our busy team. Examples include Mental Health Advocate Volunteers and Relevant Person’s Representative Volunteers.
Please find more information about our current volunteer opportunities below.
Age UK South Gloucestershire relies on volunteers to help us offer vital services in the local community. Would you like to lend a hand?
Tel: 01454 411707
www.ageuk.org.uk/southgloucesters...
Email:
CHSW is on the hunt for enthusiastic volunteers to help run their shop. There’s a variety of tasks that volunteers can get involved with from processing stock received from donations, to window displays, dressing mannequins and processing payments. It’s a great way to meet other people and really help to make a difference in the local community.
To find out more about volunteering, please ring the store or call in.
Unit 3 Tesco, East Walk, Yate Shopping Centre, Yate BS37 4AS
Tel: 01454 323993
www.chsw.org.uk/
Email:
Keen to volunteer? Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre is staffed by friendly volunteers six days a week from Spring to Christmas. We help and advise visitors on local amenities and places of interest in Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding areas. We stock a range of books, gifts, maps and leaflets and sell tickets for local events.
Our team of volunteers work in pairs doing either a morning 10am-1pm (perfect for parents of school-age children) or an afternoon 1-4pm session. We are looking for new volunteers to join us either on a permanent basis or for the odd shift. If you would like to find out more, please call or email Trizia using the details below.
The Clock Tower, High Street, Chipping Sodbury BS37 6AH
Tel: 07932 680055
Email:
Part time/permanent
Want to help your community? Why not become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire?
The rewarding role would involve training to help with a vast range of problems. These include but are not limited to benefits, debt, housing and employment.
The charity is particularly keen to encourage applications from people with a diverse range of backgrounds. This is especially the case for people from BAME backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
The role would involve giving advice to clients both face-to-face and over the telephone.
Main duties and responsibilities may include:
- Interviewing clients, both face-to-face and on the telephone, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to set priorities
- Finding, interpreting and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision
- Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting or writing letters or making appropriate referrals
- Completing clear and accurate case records
- Recognising the root causes of problems and participating in taking appropriate action
- Keeping up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training and by essential reading
- Attending team meetings
Personal skills and qualities needed to become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser:
- A commitment to the aims and principles of the service
- Excellent communication skills
- Being open and approachable
- Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
- Ability to sift through information and extract what is relevant
- Basic mathematical skills, including percentages
- Respect for views, values and cultures that are different to their own
- An understanding of why confidentiality is important
- Being open to using computers on a regular basis
- A positive attitude to self-development and assessment
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to recognise their own limits and boundaries in the role
- Good IT skills essential – ability to use websites/ databases/ research information
Applicants should be IT competent and able to commit to two sessions per week for at least two years.
Training will be held over a full day – probably a Wednesday – each week starting in January 2025. There will be additional training time when new recruits can observe experienced advisers.
There will be opportunities to help out for a few sessions prior to training starting so that applicants can check the role is right for them.
To apply, please email Finance and Admin Manager Amanda Wood by email below to ask for an application form.
Closing date: 31/12/24
Kennedy Way, Yate BS37 4DQ
Tel: 01454 334961
www.southgloscab.org.uk/reception...
Email:
South Gloucestershire’s libraries provide free access to computers, the internet, email and online resources and free Wi-Fi access for all members of the public. Library staff assist the public in using our facilities and when requested can signpost to further local help through our colleagues in the Council’s Community Learning Service, and through courses run by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in many of our libraries.
Quite often, especially with those new to IT, a more in-depth one-to-one approach is needed and this is where we see a role for computer volunteers. We are thus seeking individuals who:
Volunteering is available at any time libraries are open. You can be as flexible as you like in the pattern of hours you do, and at times that suit you.
Interested in this opportunity? Please ask library staff for an application form to be returned to the librarian or for further information, please contact us by phone or email.
44 West Walk, Yate BS37 4AX
Tel: 07718 130 916
Email:
Poole Court, Poole Court Drive, Yate BS37 5PP
Tel: 01454 865205
www.cvs-sg.org.uk
Email:
Have your got spare time on your hands? Want to help in the local community? Then become a volunteer driver/leaflet distributor.
We provide transport to those members of the community who, for whatever reason, cannot use existing transport services.
Crossbow House, 58 School Road, Frampton Cotterell BS36 2DA
Tel: 01454 250500
4tvl.org.uk/
Email:
Do you enjoy our award-winning Kingsgate Park? Then why not join us and help to keep the park looking as good as it always does? Click below to find out more.
Girlguiding are seeking Leaders and Assistant Leaders across South Gloucestershire. If you’re someone with a sense of adventure looking for a rewarding challenge then Girlguiding could be for you.
Help girls to realise their full potential and share some unforgettable moments along the way.
Click the link below to register your interest or call, text or email Development Worker Jo Fletcher if you would like to have a chat about how you could get involved. She is also available on Whatsapp.
Tel: 07774 640229
www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involv...
Email:
Green Community Travel need voluntary drivers to help drive their minibuses and also people who would be willing to drive their own cars to get people to hospital appointments. Cost of training and expenses are reimbursed by GCT. We work with volunteers so it fits around your life!
Please call or email us to discuss further. We hope to hear from you soon!
Yate-based, covering all South Gloucestershire
Tel: 01454 228706
www.greencommunitytravel.co.uk/
Email:
Do you have a craft, an art, special skill or mastermind subject? Are you a group with a good cause? The Memory Café need YOU, to support our café sessions with exciting and interesting activities! If you have a cause or a talent that could assist or bring joy to our customers, our team would love to hear from you!
To find out more, to donate or to join our team of volunteers, contact our team – call us on 01454 869441 or click below. For volunteer applications, visit our “Vacancies” page. We are more than happy to chat to you about your application and provide support if necessary; full training is provided upon starting.
The National Garden Scheme is proud to say that 80% of money raised through opening gardens goes to health charities.
In our area, Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath there are almost 40 gardens to choose from, all described in the local 'Yellow book.' In South Gloucestershire 7 very different gardens open to visitors providing 'Great Gardens, Great Cakes!' Some will open for groups, at a time to suit you, 'By Arrangement'.
Details of all the gardens can be found on the National Garden Scheme website below, or you can download the smartphone app. On both you can search for gardens opening within the distance you are prepared to travel. So why not go ahead and plan the gardens you would like to visit?
The huge benefits of gardens and gardening to health and well being are now well recognised. You may feel you would like to become involved in this inspiring organisation. It's possible to volunteer in a small way by helping with serving teas, or you may even feel that your own garden could be enjoyed by others. Seeing the pleasure on visitors' faces and sharing your endeavours with others, whilst helping the NGS charities, has a huge 'feel good factor.'
To find out more, contact the County Organiser, Su Mills by phone or email.
Tel: 01454 615438
ngs.org.uk
Email:
Re-engage is a national charity dedicated to connecting people to their communities. Our activity groups bring people over 75 together in local communities across Bristol and the South-West, to keep people active through exercise sessions, tai chi, gardening, boules, carpet curling and dancing.
Tel: 0800 716543
www.reengage.org.uk/join-a-group/...
Email:
RSVP West is a region of RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme, part of the national volunteering charity Volunteering Matters).
We want to encourage those of you who are over 50 to volunteer in the community and we will provide you with appropriate training and regular support.
Covering South Gloucestershire
Tel: 0117 922 4392
rsvp-west.org.uk/
Email:
Our aim is to support people with physical disabilities and their carers to improve quality of life and reduce social isolation.
We welcome people who can use their own initiative and offer their own skills and ideas to contribute to the aims and objectives of the project.
Training and support will be provided to understand the wider issues of working within the Charitable sector and the importance of funding, promotion and direct support to people who use our service.
Please contact Project Manager Sheridan Crew should you feel you can assist us.
Tel: 01454 868718
www.myyate.co.uk/yate/local_organ...
Email:
Tortworth Forest Centre is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which aims to improve lives by reconnecting people with nature, through conservation, wellbeing programmes, outdoor events, courses and volunteering opportunities.
The Centre is based at Tortworth Arboretum, a historically and culturally rich woodland. There is huge potential to bring this unique place back to use and to share it with people who want to learn about woodlands and develop outdoor skills - so get in touch if you want to be a part of it.
Tortworth Arboretum, off Tortworth Road, Tortworth GL12 8HH
Tel: 07717 201 329
tortwortharboretum.org/
Email:
A volunteer service for Yate, Chipping Sodbury and locality. This service is mobile and focused on reaching out into the community. Volunteer Co-ordinator Alex Swatton attends local events and community locations to speak with people who are interested in volunteering.
Tel: 07929 787478
southernbrooks.org.uk/volunteer-c...
Email:
We aim too ensure every road in Yate, Sodbury and surrounding areas has a verified point of contact to serve local residents in case of self isolation.
We’re looking for volunteers to support Yate Heritage Centre! Our team are always happy to chat about volunteering, application support and full training is provided. To make a volunteer application, click below or call 01454 869441.
@myyate