Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service

Contact:         Janis Hickey             Tel: 01423 709707

The British Thyroid Foundation was set up in 1991 and is a registered charity.  It provides support and information to people with all types of thyroid disorder. There are a number of local groups throughout the UK, several telephone support volunteers and there are close links with the medical profession.

Support Group Manager

We are looking for support to manage our volunteers. We would like a dedicated and experienced person to manage our 10 local groups, and telephone contacts, who are based around the country. The work would be from our Harrogate office, but could involve a small amount of travelling. Typical  tasks would include correspondence,  maintaing files, communication with volunteers, and taking part in selection, induction and training.

Contact: Natasha Howe       Tel: 0113 2032433

Cancer Research UK is seeking committed individuals to take on the exciting role of organising a one-off event in aid of Cancer Research UK in their local area. The event itself will be chosen by the group and can range from a black-tie ball, to a luncheon event, fashion show, charity auction, or anything else you can think of can be held at the venue you chose.

Also required are Action Team Volunteer Co-ordinators, to manage a team of volunteers who can help out at one off events. This opportunity is flexible to fit around any other commitments, and can be carried out at home.

Contact:   Anne Worden  01423 565915              anne@harrogateblindsoc.co.uk

The Society provides activities and services to registered visually impaired people. Social centre in Harrogate provides programme of social activities and classes, Mon - Fri 10:00am - 4:00pm. Satellite clubs in Ripon (Tues am) and Pateley Bridge (Wed fortnightly). Annual day trips and parties are organised. Rambling group meet monthly. Young people's group meet monthly.

Assistant for occupational classes

To provide assistance and support at the occupational classes, such as arts and crafts, and pottery. These are held within the centre. Opportunities exist to work in a group setting or on a one to one basis.

Contact:  Fiona Harkleroad   01423 555736

Patient Support Volunteer

The volunteer will work as part of a team to raise awareness within the Hospital to patients, their families & visitors of the Patient Feedback Service. The aim of the Patient Feedback Service is to support patients, their families and friends accessing health services across the Harrogate district. They do this by offering a confidential listening service. They help to resolve any concerns patients, their families and friends might have. They gain patients feedback to support the organisation with service improvements; offer information about health services available and the best means to access them. They give details of other organisations that can offer information, adivce & support and also give information regarding the complaints procedure.

In the first instance, the role will be based at the Patient Feedback desk, situated in the main entrance of the hospital. It is hoped that the role will be further developed in the near future.

Contact: Andy Wilkinson      01423 501513

Organisational Purpose

The Friends are an independent local charity that supports patients and staff at the District Hospital and in the community.  They raise money to fund items which the Trust can't fund immediately, or at all - on average they raise about £50k a year..

The Honorary Secretary supports the committee of 18 trustees, (and is also a trustee), and ensures the whole charity operates efficiently.

There are 9 executive committee meetings (on a Wednesday or Thursday evening at 7.30pm),  and an AGM held at the hospital, per annum.

The honorary secretary issues agendas and minutes, (mainly by e-mail), and carries out some secretarial duties on behalf of the committee.

Other than attending the meetings, the volunteer would work from home.

Also needed is a Press Secretary. Would you like to publicise our work in the local media and in internal NHS magazines?  You would be reporting on forthcoming fundraising events, success of events, on purchases for the hospital and presentation of equipment or facilities. We would also wish you to produce A4 sheets for our notice boards and portable displays to publicise our work.

The work is home-based but committee meetings are held nine times a year on Wednesday or Thursday evenings in addtion to the AGM which is held in April.  The charity pays expenses.

Contact:     Nicola Pollard     01423 553342

Request Collector

Harrogate Hospital Radio is run entirely by volunteers. We need people in the early To relieve the need of homeless persons within the Harrogate area by provision of temporary accommodation, advice, support and signposting to other appropriate organisations.

Contact:     Nikera McDonald     01423 525384

We work to relieve the need of homeless persons within the Harrogate area by provision of temporary accommodation, advice, support and signposting to other appropriate organisations.

Springboard  Volunteer

As a volunteer of Springboard you will be helping vunerable adults who often feel socially excluded. As a volunteer you will engage with a variety of different people ranging from rough sleepers, individuals with drug and alcohol problems, those who are vunerably housed through supported housing schemes, individuals with mental health issues and elderly individuals who struggle to pay bills and adequately heat their homes.

At Springboard we provide basic provisions such as free hot meals, hot drinks, a shower facility, and donations so we can offer people clothes and toiletries, washing and laundry facilities, and the use of a phone. We work in partnership with other support agencies such as CRI, Foundation, Stoneham, Sanctuary, HADA, Compass and YMCA.

We offer in-house activities such as computer, art and photography and drama club. It is a busy service accommodating between 25-35 people daily and it is a thriving and active working environment. We offer crisis intervention, and we aim to provide a supportive, welcoming safe environment. Many of our volunteers build positive relationships with out service users and enjoy listening and getting to know our clients. It is a very rewarding and challenging voluntary experience. It is practical as we run a busy service but we do try and capitalise on our volunteers' skills and previous experience. We aim to nuture and empower our volunteers so they feel adequately prepared and comfortable within a social care setting.

Contact:         Stephanie Kirkman-Meikle              Tel: 01423 562606

Organisational Purpose

Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre provides support and activities for people with learning and other disabilities in a community centre on Mornington Terrace and at other venues across Harrogate.  There are a number of opportunities to be involved:

1. They would welcome some office support with updating their service user records.  This will require making calls, checking accuracy and updating files, and will require an awareness of the importance of confidentiality when dealing with personal records.
2. General office admin -  we need a well organised and friendly admin assistant to help us in our busy office. You should have experience of reception duties, including telephone enquiries and accurate recording of information. A volunteer with us should ideally have experience of typing letters, filing and maintaining records and be able to prioritise incoming emails and deal with them efficiently. You will have the opportunity to  work as part of a small team and we will encourage you to manage your own workload, use your own initiative and contribute ideas to help us to continually improve the service we deliver.
3. We need an experienced bookkeeper to help us improve and maintain our financial records. Knowledge of Sage is required.You will have the opportunity to  work as part of a small team and we will encourage you to manage your own workload, use your own initiative and contribute ideas to help us to continually improve the service we deliver

Contact:         John Fox        Tel: 01423 799612

Organisational Purpose

Henshaws Society For Blind People provides services relevant to the needs of visually impaired people of all ages in a way that is caring, practical and imaginative.  Locally to Harrogate services include a further education college for visually impaired students (Henshaws College), the Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, housing and family support. All volunteers at Henshaws will be required to have a CRB check.

A General admin volunteer is required to help in the office at the Arts and Crafts Centre. Based in the Centre Managers office, duties will include time-tabling classes, general office work inc. photocopying and filing and office admin. Some basic admin skills are required but the time commitment is flexible to suit you.

Contact: Philip Dixon (ask the volunteer centre to contact on your behalf)

A trustee or committee member is needed to support the Mental Health charity Mind with the running of its Harrogate Operation. Experience in finance or running a business is desired.

Contact:          Lizzie Evans 01423 505676          mentalhealthproject@harrogate.org

The Mental Health project supports adults with a mental health problem living in the community.  Social Support - We are looking for volunteers to offer one to one support, visiting people at home, or sharing a social activity.

Volunteers are also needed for the Minos (mums in need of support) group which provides support for new mums who are experiencing post-natal depression, anxiety or isolation.  

Volunteers welcome members, help with the children, provide refreshments etc. and offer a listening ear.  MINOS meets on Tuesdays at the Harrogate Town Children's Centre from 10am - 12 noon, and at Saltergate School, Jennyfields on Thursdays 10am - 12noon - most volunteers work at one venue or the other.      

Contact:  Kate Baxter:    0115 911336

Could you be a voice for people with autism by raising awareness of this misunderstood condition and the need for support in your local community?

No experience of public speaking or autism is required but confidence and self-motivation are a must.   In return we aim to have fun and provide an opportunity for you to meet new people, build your confidence, gain valuable skills and experiences and be a valued member of the team.  Full training and support will be provided for this flexible ongoing role.

We expect volunteers to be able to provide 2 talks a month for at least a year, although volunteers are of course free to cease volunteering at any point.

Contact:      Polly Brown          01904 676664      office@nycu.org.uk

We aim to provide competitive, secure and ethical financial services on an inclusive and not-for-profit basis, for anyone who lives or works in York and N. Yorks.

Champions 

Use your enthusiasm and local contacts to develop the Credit Union, to recruit members and volunteers in your local area.

Community Access Point Volunteers 

 Help run the local community savings points. Collect members’ savings and loan repayments, and help them use the Credit Union’s services. Use your people skills to advise members about credit union loans and savings plans.

Contact:    Deborah Hellis   Tel: 01423 724689

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) aims to be the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. In 2008 over 1.3 million people visited the four RHS public gardens in England, including North Yorkshire's stunning Harlow Carr in Harrogate. 

Harlow Carr's small but enthusiastic Events Team are always on the lookout for volunteers to help plan and deliver existing and new events.

So if you're interested in working in event management, this is a great opportunity for you to gain some real experience conceiving and delivering a huge range of events, engaging with the public and promoting the work of Harlow Carr and the RHS.

Contact: Angela Jackson    Tel: 01423 527816

A number of opportunities exist to help with the Beavers/Cubs/Scouts, ranging from leaders and assistant leaders, to a DIY enthusiast to help maintain the Scout Hut. Opportunities also exist to be involved with Admin, on the Committee, or baking cakes for fundraising!

Contact: Sue Shannon   Tel: 0207 3748855

Local Prison Representative     

Shannon Trust teaches prisoners to read through the award winning "Toe by Toe Reading Plan", which enables prisoners who can read to teach those who struggle to read. We recognise that prisoners who struggle to read are unlikely to take up employment or education and training opportunities thus making it highly likely that they will re-offend after release.

We need more volunteers to represent our work in prisons. The time commitment is flexible but is usually one and a half days a month. Applicants should ideally be 25 or over and be able to volunteer between 9:00am and 5:00pm.

Contact:         Lynn Dalby                Tel: 01423 503394

Volunteers in our shop get to do a variety of things, from helping with our decorative window displays to working in our busy book room.  You could be serving customers or sorting bags of treasures.  We're a small friendly team and there's always lots to do.

Contact:  Miriam Landy  01423 879687

Gardeners

The Hospice are looking for experienced gardeners to work on the Hopice garden.                  

E-Bay volunteer

Our retail operation provides a vital part of the income for our hospice and in our commitment to raising the maximum possible from donated goods we sell some specialist or niche items with a potentially high value on eBay. eBay volunteers are involved in all aspects of eBay selling.

Key Tasks:

• To sell donated items through eBay
• To photograph. describe, value and list items for sale
• To liaise with Shop Manager's regarding suitable sale items, start prices, expected sales prices etc.
• To answer customer questions regarding sale items.
• To dispatch items to buyers.
• To provide good customer service and maintain high 'star rating' as a seller.

Contact: Rosanna Stitson   Tel: 01423 705600

Volunteer receptionists play an important part in providing the Relate service. Becoming a receptionist for Relate offers you the opportunity to use existing skills, to develop new interests, to meet people and to become active in bringing about social change. Although the main role of the receptionist is to welcome clients and introduce them to their counsellor, receptionists may also provide other administrative support if they wish to do so.

Receptionists are particularly needed on a Wednesday and Thursday from 3.45 - 9.45pm, though it may be possible to split the shifts and only volunteer for half of the time required.

Contact: Ann Marie Maguire          Tel: 0113 244 4209

Mesmac aims to to work with communities and individuals to build an HIV and STI aware population that has the knowledge, skills and resources needed to make choices about our lives free from exploitation, coercion and duress; to eliminate stigma and prejudice faced by people living with HIV and STI's; eliminate homophobia and heterosexism in all our communities and to alleviate the emotional distress of people affected by homophobia and prejudice around HIV. There are a number of interesting opportunities to support their work including Community Testing and Vaccine Volunteers, Fundraising and Events, Harrogate LGBT Youth volunteers, Leeds LGB switchboard operators and Magazine distributors.