The Volunteer Network Centre, Newham
NEWS AND EVENTS
Experts in Volunteering Project
Experts in Volunteering Project: Action Learning Sets
Volunteer Centres in partnership with the Experts in Volunteering project will be delivering action learning sets in London's sub-regions, every year for the next three years. Sets are free of charge.
What is it?
Action Learning is a long established and internationally recognised development method, involving a small group (a 'set') that meets over several months. The small group provides challenge and support; individuals each tackle their own problem and implement their own solution. Working on real problems, it is powerful learning by doing, with opportunities for questioning and reflection, and development of participants' skills.
More info is available at http://www.expertsinvolunteering.org.uk/web/action_learning
How does it work?
Each 'set' consists of 5 - 6 participants (people who manage volunteers) plus a facilitator, which meets 5 times, at intervals of about 5 weeks. During the 'set' meeting, each participant has equal 'air-time' - the chance to outline a real work based issue or opportunity that s/he wants to do something about. S/he is supported by the group to decide on a course of action. Between the 'set' meetings, participants apply their actions and learning in the workplace, then report progress at the next meeting.
Sounds simple? Yes, essentially it is - but it can have a really positive impact.
Can I be part of this?
Yes, if you are a Volunteer Manager in London; we feel that action learning, with its element of peer support and emphasis on real workplace problem solving is an ideal learning tool for volunteer managers who are often in a busy, isolated role in their own organisation, dealing with a wide range of people and issues.
Where are they taking place?
- Community Links Bromley, Bromley, BR1 1RH - www.communitylinksbromley.org.uk
- Redbridge CVS, Ilford, IG1 1BA - www.redbridgecvs.net
- Richmond Volunteer Centre, Richmond, TW9 1ED - www.richmondcvs.org.uk
- Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets, E1 6BD - www.vcth.org.uk
- Volunteer Centre Camden, Kentish Town, NW5 2TJ - www.volunteercentrecamden.org.uk
- Volunteer Centre Croydon, Croydon CR0 2TB - www.volunteercentre.net/croydon/
All the action learning sets will start as soon after Easter as possible for the Facilitator. Ongoing dates will be arranged to suit all set participants to ensure 100% attendance.
How can I get involved?
If you think you'd like to take part, please contact the facilitator for the venue that is easiest for you to get to, and register your interest.
- Bromley: Diane Diamond - dianed@communitylinksbromley.org.uk - 020 8315 1930
- Redbridge: Gurdial Bhamra - gurdialbhamra@vncnewham.co.uk - 020 8536 1937
- Richmond: Kath Rosen - kath@richmondcvs.org.uk - 020 8255 8500
- Tower Hamlets: Natasha Plaister - natasha@volunteercentres.org.uk - 020 7703 4205
- Camden: Jack Wratten - jack@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk - 020 7424 9990
- Croydon: Karen Chillman - karen.chillman@cvalive.org.uk - 020 8253 7070
Experts in Volunteering is a project of Greater London Volunteering funded by the Big Lottery
JOB VACANCY
Richmond Council for Voluntary Service is currently recruiting for 2 posts in the Volunteering team based at our offices in Richmond:
Good Practice Adviser (GPA) to deliver good practice support to volunteer-involving organisations in Richmond : £25k pro rata for 17.5 hours per week - closing date 19 April
Youth Strategic Champion (YSC) to drive forward the Borough's Youth Volunteering Strategy to develop volunteering for 13-19 years olds in Richmond upon Thames : £25K pro rata for 21 hours per week - closing date 19 April
An application pack for each post with full information can be downloaded from www.richmondcvs.org.uk or email to jobs@richmondcvs.org.uk or telephone 020 8255 8500
8th APRIL 2010: HALF-DAY TRAINING WORKSHOP
- Greater London Volunteering (GLV) Charter and Foundation Health Check
- When is a volunteer not a volunteer?
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Venue: Berkeley Business Centre, City Gate House, 246 - 250 Romford Road, London E7 9HZ
The 10 point Foundation Health Check recently developed by GLV's Experts in Volunteering in consultation with the volunteer centres across London is a new endeavour in volunteering management. It helps to ensure safe and healthy volunteering environment. Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate whether they have the baseline policies in place and the tools/ resources they need to develop what is missing.
Claire, Employment Law expert from LVSC will join the group to give a brief talk on the subject of what a volunteer, an employee, and a self-employed worker is and is not and what organisations can practically do if their "free-lancers" turn out to be part-time employees.
The Volunteer Network Centre, Newham, is pleased to work in partnership with MODA and LVSC PEACe Project in organising the above training workshop.
If you would like to attend, please download, complete and return this booking form to Eyasu Buba at eyasu.buba@vncnewham.co.uk or call him on 020 8536 1937.
TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVING ORGANISATIONS IN NEWHAM
"Stress Management"
for Voluntary Sector Workers and Volunteers
Date: 23rd March 2010
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Venue: Ground Floor, Berkeley Business Centre, City Gate House, 246 - 250 Romford Road, London E7 9HZ
This useful training session is aimed at people volunteering on Management Committees and designing and managing projects involving volunteers. It will explore the topic of stress and practical ways of minimising negative stress in community/ voluntary group project designs.
Practical exercises to reduce stress including the "tapping technique" will be introduced.
The session will also provide an opportunity to network and learn from people involved in a range of voluntary sector groups. Certificates of attendance will be given to all participants.
Refreshments will be provided and a Certificate of Attendance will be given to each participant.
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis To book your place on the above training workshop, please contact Eyasu Buba on: 020 8536 1937 or via e-mail: eyasu.buba@vncnewham.co.uk.
The Volunteer Network Centre, Newham, is pleased to be working in partnership with Vitality Living and MODA, to run this training session free of charge. If your organisation has other training needs VNC may be able to respond to please contact us on the above e-mail or phone number.
Faith Volunteers
The Volunteer Network Centre is organising a conference entitled "Let's Connect" - Building Partnerships with Faith Based Organisations which takes place on 24th February 2010 from 12.30 to 5:30 pm at West Ham United Football Club, Boleyn Ground, Green Street, E13 9AZ.
Newham has one of the most diverse communities in the Country. Unfortunately, we continue to live 'parallel lives' apart from but alongside each other. This is a significant opportunity to support a very important project for our community. The project has been established to challenge traditional perspectives of faith based volunteering, promote community cohesion and make a positive impact. This is part of a pilot project within The Modernising Volunteering workstream, led by Volunteering England and funded by Capacity Builders' National Support Services programme'. The project and conference will help raise issues nationally.
Faith Volunteers is a national pilot project funded by Capacity Builders, V Volunteering, Red Foundation and Volunteering England.
SCHEDULE FOR WORKSHOPS IN 2010
A. Training Workshops in Volunteering Management in 2010
- Stress Management - Tuesday 23rd March
- Volunteer Policies & When Is A Volunteer Not A Volunteer - Thursday 8th April
- Volunteer Support And Supervision - Thursday 10th June
- Volunteer Motivation And Retention - Thursday 24th June
- Volunteering And The Law - Thursday 14th October
- Volunteer Recruitment And Recognition - Thursday 28th October
- Volunteering And Risk Assessment - Tuesday 16th November
B. Volunteer Managers Forum in 2010
Volunteer Managers Forum - 30th March 2010 and bimonthly thereafter
If you are interested in any of these workshops and or would like to attend the Volunteer Managers Forums, please contact Eyasu Buba on 020 8536 1937 or via e-mail: eyasu.buba@vncnewham.co.uk, for details of times, venues etc.
JOB VACANCY
Experts in Volunteering
Increasing excellent volunteering experiences across London
Development Worker (West London)
NJC Scale: SO1 £28,142 (pro-rata). 24.5 hours/week
Based in Hounslow; travel within Greater London.
Experts in Volunteering is an exciting programme funded to June 2012 by the Big Lottery Fund. We work with the Volunteer Centre network to enhance volunteer management practice across Greater London and improve volunteering experiences for Londoners.
As part of a team of 5 subregional workers, your varied role will include collaborative working with 6 West London Volunteer Centres and outreach work with organisations that involve volunteers.
Email info@glv.org.uk or visit www.glv.org.uk for an application pack or more information
Deadline for applications: 20 January 2010
Interviews will be held: 29 January 2010
Please note, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted after the closing date and previous applicants should not reapply.
Community Xchange: Newham UK / Beijing China - January-May 2010 - FREE!
CALLING ALL YOUTH FOCUSED WORKERS / PRACTITIONERS IN NEWHAM
We are inviting employees or community practitioners in Newham with a direct or indirect youth focus and with full support from their employer / organization / community to take part in Global Xchanges newest free programme - Community Xchange Newham UK / Beijing China January - May 2010. For more information or to obtain an application form email keisha.briggs@vso.org.uk 07866 754 121.
Community Xchange is an international professional development programme for formal and informal community practitioners. Through a range of activities Community Xchange aims to build the skills of participants to facilitate the positive participation of young people as active global citizens, and develop inter cultural dialogue that makes a positive difference to their communities.
Details Of The Programme
The programme will recruit up to 15 participants from Newham, UK who will each be matched with a counterpart from Beijing, China based on their professional skills and interests. The programme will promote reciprocity to ensure that aspects of the programme are mirrored in the UK and China.
The participant will act on behalf of their organization or community to undertake a three week work attachment programme in Newham and develop and implement a reciprocal three week programme of activity for their counterpart whilst they are in Beijing.
Participant profile; The participant must:
- Be a UK national / able to travel overseas legally
- Be 18 years or above
- Have an active role in communities in Newham (be involved with your current organisation for at least 6 months)
- Be willing to fund raise up to £350 for the work of Global Xchange
- Be willing to give a minimum of 45 working days of commitment over the 4 months of activity
- Have experience working with young people and capacity to influence groups of young people
- Be informal or formal leader / practitioner / worker
- Have organizational support and agreement for the duration of the programme to ensure that they are able to continue to use the skills and expertise for the benefit of their communities once the exchange is completed.
- Have full support of their managers to participate in the programme
For information on Community Xchange, & for an application form please see below:
The British Council Website
Global Xchange Programme Supervisor Newham / China -
Keisha Briggs: Keisha.briggs@vso.org.uk 07866 754 121
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