Hi to anyone whos is reading this.

Im not sure if i have posted this in the right section or not.

I dont really know where to start to be honest, so if anyone can point me in the right direction i would appreciate it.

As its christmas coming up i would be interested in doin some volunteering this year. Im the youngest in my family and christmas has seamt to have lost the charm that it had when we were younger. What i would like to do is help make someone elses christmas very special.

If anyone knows where i can look please post.

Thank you.

http://www.vas.org.uk/volunteer-centre/index

www.hbsradio.co.uk and click on the "get involved" link, we're always on the look out for good volunteers, only thing is, we prefer long term commitment, we don't want people who go through all the fannying about with CRB checks (due to the Hospital based nature of our work) and then leave after 3 weeks.

Hi Rich,

Thanks for the reply. appreciate the time taken.

Well i completly understand where your coming from. I Guess all i can say is that volunteering is something i been thinking of for a while now. I have an application in for the samaritans as we speak. My commitment would surpass 3 weeks im sure its just this time of year gets you thinking i guess.

I have no knowledge of a radio work though. What could i help you guys out with? I would be more than happy to help.

Regards

Phil

We need volunteers to help make lanterns with the children on the 13th December at The Crookes Christmas Cracker.
Anyone welcome if you can help us we would appreciate it and would pay travel expenses.

Try going on a website called Doit.org, it allows you to search for different volunteer opportunities in your area. Good Luck!
Naz.

Please look on places other than DoIt, my group can't afford to advertise on their. We're a new charity to improve support for student victims of mental illness. We're desperate for volunteers! Please PM if you're interested.

check with the local special needs schools if your around during the day in the week, am sure they appreciate extra hands, i did voluntary work in one before i had my child who turned out to be disabled, go figure

Try going on a website called Doit.org, it allows you to search for different volunteer opportunities in your area. Good Luck!
Naz.


www.doit.org.uk

Please look on places other than DoIt, my group can't afford to advertise on their. We're a new charity to improve support for student victims of mental illness. We're desperate for volunteers! Please PM if you're interested.

Have you checked whether the Sheffield Volunteer Centre put an ad on Doit on your behalf?

trying to, but I can't find who there to ask. When I ask for help with my charity they give me the same 2 pages on what a constitution is and that I need a committee.

I get confused over how VAS/NAVCA/NCOS/VInvolved and all the rest link up.

Looking at VAS's website, I think this is the bit you need:

http://www.vas.org.uk/services/small-groups/index

NAVCA is a national organisation which happens to be based in Sheffield, but I don't think they would be the appropriate people to help you.




trying to, but I can't find who there to ask. When I ask for help with my charity they give me the same 2 pages on what a constitution is and that I need a committee.

I get confused over how VAS/NAVCA/NCOS/VInvolved and all the rest link up.

Hi

My name is Brett and I am currently in the process of restarting the 'Sympson' project. I don't mean the yellow families on TV, Sympsons stands for Sheffield youth mentoring and personal support scheme!

We are currently welcoming new young disabled people (physical and learning) and volunteers to assist with the running of the project (any amount of time will be appreciated!)

SYMPSONS is part of 'Inclusive Living Sheffield' which operates under the philosophy of the social model of disability. This means that disability is viewed as the fault of the structure of society (for example, staircases, access to buildings, lack of understanding of needs).

The SYMPSONS project aims to help young disabled people aged 13-19(strictly) to overcome the barriers in society.

SYMPSONS offers young disabled people:

A safe inclusive environment
An informal place to meet other young disabled people
Make new friends/socialize
A place to talk with and consult project worksers and older disabled people
Trips and outings during term time
Increased confidence, through choice, control and independence
Prospect of being a mentor
Opportunities to volunteer to help run aspects of the project

For a number of young disabled people coming new to the project there were many benefits:

The environment at SYMPSONS gave many their first chance to make sense of their situation in a way that supported their development, rather than putting them down.
For many members, this was their only initial opportunity to mix with other members of similar age and circumstances outside their family and home surroundings.
Members were coming into settings which were fully accessible and inclusive, contrary to former experiences of segregation and isolation.
Gradually as young disabled people become more confident, they began to express their beliefs and ideas cooperatively and acquire new skills through the various opportunities of voluntary work within the project.
When speaking to other young disabled people and support workers, this gave them ideas and information about ways in which they could achieve goals and move on in their lives.

Member's perceptions of the value of the project reflect the impact it had on their personal feelings, understanding, skills and hopes for the future:

"Being part of a group where you're not alone feels powerful, because we understand and support one another."

"I feel more confident and independent."

"I'm beginning to understand discrimination and have the confidence to challenge it."

"I feel like I can try to do anything I want now because nobody really believed in me before or even gave me a choice."

The project is lottery funded and therefore we will avoid charging for the service where possible.

For more information please contact Brett Howarth on 0114 2536750 or visit the website (by clicking on my username 'Sympsons') where you can obtain further information and contact me directly.