Elections!!

We have election fever at Warwick Volunteers! We are currently advertising the exec roles – check out our website for details of what the roles involve. If you are interested please apply – it is a great opportunity to get more involved in the society.
Remember: the deadline for nominations is Friday week 7!

: 08 Feb 2006 10:16 |  Tags: Elections |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Fashion Show Meeting

To all those who attended last week's meeting – there will be another meeting on Monday (6th February) in meeting rooms 4&5 at 5pm. This is an important meeting as we will be allocating roles so please try to make it!

: 01 Feb 2006 16:48 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Conservation at Tocil Wood this Sunday

Hello everyone. This Sunday we will be holding the first Sunday session at Tocil Wood, so for those of you who haven't been able to make wednesdays then this is your chance to come along. The amount of people we get this Sunday may mean that we will hold more sunday sessions in the future.

We will be meeting at the top of the path up to gibbet hill at 10am on Sunday 5th of January and then be doing a conservation task in Tocil Wood. Please wear suitable clothing and wellies or walking boots if you have them. If you haven't then please tell me your shoe size and I can arrange to get some for you. We should be finished by 1pm and all training and tools will be provided.

This is a good chance to get some experience to put on your c.v., especially if you are considering a career in the environmental sector. If not, then you will still gain loads of other transferable skills (such as teamwork) to put down at this important time of the year when many people will be making job applications or thinking about what to do in the future.

If you would like to come along then please email me at R.Johnson.1@warwick.ac.uk so that I can arrange how many tools to bring and also if you need wellies.

Hope to see you on Sunday

Rich
(WWT Tocil Wood Project Leader)

: 31 Jan 2006 16:28 |  Tags: Campus Conservation Tocil Wood Volunteers Warwick |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

What socials would you like to see coming up this term?

The WV blog is the perfect place for you to become more involved in the running of Warwick Volunteers. From this week on, we're starting a new Forum, which gives you the opportunity to let us know what you want to get out of the society and how we can help you do so!

This fortnight's topic is socials... Have you got any ideas for socials we can hold this term? Would you prefer something casual and chilled out like a going for a meal or a drink, or maybe something more active like paint-balling or ice-skating? Whatever your ideas, let us know by posting up a comment here on the blog!

We're planning a big trip to Alton Towers for term 3 but as it's such a busy time for everyone (don't you just hate it when exams get in the way?!) – we'd like to know when would be best for you all… Either early on in the term (week 1 or 2) before exams start, or towards the end when most of them should be finished? Please let us know so we can get booking!:)

: 17 Jan 2006 16:36 |  Tags: Forum |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Who knows where volunteering could take you!

We recently received this letter in the office from a very happy ex-volunteer! Have a read and see for yourself how the skills and knowledge you gain at Warwick Volunteers make a huge difference to your job prospects…

My name is Alex Sim and I first approached Warwick Volunteers with an interest in pursuing some volunteering in social work in October 2004. My initial contact was Michelle, she was very knowledgeable and helpful and introduced me to the huge range of projects available through WV. She suggested that because I was interested in both environmental issues and social work, and was studying psychology at Warwick University, I might find helping out at an organic allotment run through Mid-Warwickshire Mind the most beneficial project. The aim of the allotment project is to provide a tranquil environment within which people within mental health needs can contribute to the running and maintenance of the allotment, while also forging friendships and gaining a sense of achievement. I volunteered at the allotment for about 4 months in total and began to take a more and more active role in the Mid-Warwickshire Mind as a whole.

When I heard that a Sessional Support Worker position was being advertised at Mind, I decided to apply. After a successful application and interview, I got the job! Without the knowledge, skills and understanding I developed during my work at the allotment I would never have been ready to take on such a role. Thanks to this experience I am now a completely changed person and am confident I can make a valuable contribution to the social work field. I would like to extend a big thank you to Warwick Volunteers for their cooperation towards paying and organising my CRB check firstly, making it even easier for me to offer my services in the first. But more importantly, for their attentive listening and pro-active encouragement, without which I would never have got involved in the allotment in the first place.

Yours sincerely, Alex Sim.

: 17 Jan 2006 15:50 |  Tags: Careers |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Woodland Conservation on Campus

Hello, we have another chance for you all to get outside and burn off that roast turkey (or nutroast if you're a vegetarian) and do some pro-active conservation work at Tocil Wood (between main campus and Gibbet Hill) on campus. As usual, all tools and training will be provided and you don't need to have done anything like this before to take part.

We will be meeting at 1pm outside Rootes on Wednesday wk2 and should be finished by 4pm. Please wear warm, suitable clothing and strong footwear, preferably walking boots or wellies. (If you haven't got these then we can provide them).

If you would like to join us then please drop me an email at R.Johnson.1@warwick.ac.uk and I can arrange for tools, wellies etc.

Hope to see you on Wednesday

Rich and Matt
(Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Project Leaders)

: 09 Jan 2006 12:41 |  Tags: Campus Conservation Outdoors Volunteer Volunteers Warwick Warwickshire Woodland |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Why not get more involved at Warwick Volunteers!

Have you really enjoyed volunteering on a particular project? Or perhaps you are looking to take on more responsibility and find out more about WV as a whole? Then please consider becoming a project leader, member of the educational management committee, or on the executive committee. Further details will be published soon. I really enjoyed being both a pl and secretary of the exec. It is a great experience and an excellent opportunity to gain new skills. If you do have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the office.

: 05 Jan 2006 15:26 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Bath Place Community Venture

A Little Gem in South Lem!

If you have made it your New Year’s Resolution to get involved in volunteering then W.V has many projects to tailor for an array of different tastes and interests. Bath Place Community Venture is just one of the projects which may interest you. The community centre, set up in 1974, is situated just behind Bath Street in South Leamington (just half a minute from the Parish Church Bus Stop!) The Venture which runs a café, a toddlers group, a food Co-op, and a local history achieve project, is a thriving and lively centre open every weekday. There are many ways to get involved:

• Toddlers Group and Nursery- The toddler group and nursery could provide a perfect opportunity for those interested in pre-school childcare, or volunteers who simply enjoy working with young children. The Nursery runs Monday to Friday mornings 9–11.45, and afternoons 12.30–3p.m. The toddler group runs 10.30–11.45 Wednesday and Friday, and 1.15–2.30 on Thursday. If you could spare a morning a week then volunteering for the either group could prove a worth while and rewarding experience.
  – A CRB form is required!


• Bath Place Community Venture Café – The Café is open Monday-Thursday from 9 to 1 p.m, with lunch being served between 12–1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help prepare food, serve customers, and help with the general running of the Café. There are also opportunities for volunteers to train in food hygiene and first aid. Even if your culinary skills don’t extend beyond making pasta or pot noodles, volunteers with any level of experience (or lack or it!), are welcome.


• The Allotments – For any green fingered volunteers Bath Place Community Venture allotments could provide a perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty. The allotments are situated on Radford Road (near to the junction for Asda). Fruit and vegetables grown here are used in Café and also sold during the Wednesday Food-op.


• The Food Co-op – The Food Co-op sells fresh fruit and veg on Wednesday mornings. Volunteers are needed to help sell produce to customers and prepare the sale.


• Community Archive – For any history student, or volunteers interested in the local area the Bath Place Community Venture achieve could be for you. The archive complies a variety of information such as old photos, interviews, memoirs etc. This project could also provide valuable experience in a variety of skills such as I.T, conducting interviews and data input.

Even if you don’t fancy volunteering for this project, the Café is open to all. Delicious vegetarian is served Monday to Thursday 12–1 p.m. All food is freshly prepared from fruit and vegetables grown in the Bath Place Community Venture allotments.
Past meals have included coconut curry, a variety of pasta dishes, and salads. The café is also open for hot and cold drinks from 9 a.m. All meals are a bargain at only £1.20 for students (or £2.50 non-students)! It’s well worth the visit.
If you like your fruit and veg home-grown and fresh then also pay to the Food-Op on Wednesday between 10 and 1 p.m

If you like further information about volunteering at Bath Place Community Venture, please send W.V an email or pop into the office (just past Xanana’s in Union North). Catherine, W.V’s Outreach worker, has been working for the venture for several years and will be able to answer any further questions about the project.

: 04 Jan 2006 18:50 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

We need your views!

At WV we are desperate to get your views on volunteering – what would you like more of? Or less of? Do you read the FNL? Would you be prepared to do a small case study about your project? Simply let us know by posting a comment here, dropping us an email or come to the office and tell us how we can be a better service.

: 19 Dec 2005 15:46 |  Tags: Feedback |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Big Challenge 2006!

The date of the Big Challenge 2006 has been set for Sunday 26th February. Big Challenge is a one day volunteering event where students here at Warwick and at Coventry Uni volunteer on one of five projects – outdoor conservation, painting, fundraising etc.
Please check out the website for more info. Lets make it the biggest and best yet!

: 06 Dec 2005 13:37 |  Tags: Big Challenge |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem