'Thank You' 2015

Volunteers’ Week 2015 2 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire

Trowbridge Museum:

“Here at Trowbridge Museum we literally could not function without the sterling work of our fantastic volunteers.” Here at Trowbridge Museum we literally could not function without the sterling work of our fantastic volunteers. They work front of house every day that we are open- greeting visitors with a friendly smile, informing them of all the wonderful heritage that Trowbridge has to offer and in many cases acting as impromptu tour guides and ‘mouse hunters!’.

Our education team welcome schools almost every week of the year, dress up in a myriad of costumes, learn to use countless props and leave children enthralled and excited at ‘what they learned at the museum today!’. Then there is our collections team- not in public view but absolutely vital in continuing to conserve, catalogue, and safely store the museum’s collection so that it remains in safe keeping for the community for years to come.

All the staff at Trowbridge Museum would like to say a huge thank you to all those that volunteer with us and make up the fantastic team that we have here. With your support we will continue to go from strength to strength!

Wonderful medieval feast prepared by

staff and volunteers for our ‘Game of Bar-

ons’ exhibition opening.

All our Father Christmases are volunteers!

Education volunteer’s day out together -

this year to The American Museum.

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Volunteers’ Week 2015 DEVELOP—Volunteer Centre Wiltshire

Crosspoint:

“We could not do this with our team of volunteers – all who give of their time and skill and effort to ensure that we keep our doors open to the public.”

Crosspoint (Westbury) is a drop in centre

for the community providing a wide range

of support for those in need. We could

not do this without our team of volunteers

– all who give of their time and skill and

effort to ensure that we keep our doors

open to the public. We have over forty

volunteers who work on a rota basis and

their work is rich and varied.

We have trained counsellors who give free

counselling to people with personal

problems. Crosspoint also has skilled debt

advice volunteers who help clients to

budget and to find their way out of debt.

Drivers collect food for the Foodbank and

drop off food boxes to be distributed from

Crosspoint, and all this is administered by

the volunteers working in the office and

supervising operations.

Our sessions are busy and see the

volunteers on duty helping clients with

phone calls, with the computers and

internet and making copious cups of tea

and coffee! Crosspoint also has trained

volunteers offering a free and dedicated

job search consultancy service from our

premises.

Our volunteers are so motivated and give of

themselves so selflessly that we wish to

thank them during Volunteer Week, for all

that they do. They are reliable and

hardworking, and avail themselves of all the

training opportunities that come along in

order that they might better help our

clients.

Even our committee is made up entirely of

volunteers who give of what spare time they

have to ensure that Crosspoint runs

smoothly.

So thank you Crosspoint volunteers – you

are making a big difference!

Crosspoint Westbury recently celebrated

its third birthday!


Wiltshire Council has made a commitment to help adults across Wiltshire get confident with the basics of computers and the web. It doesn't matter whether that's a laptop, desktop, tablet or smart phone - we want to make sure that everyone who wants to take that step into the digital age can access the support they need to do so—for FREE. This is delivered by Wiltshire online volunteer digital champions who give bespoke one to one support on the learners own device, where and when it is convenient for them.

We would like to make reference to our oldest learner Norah, who is now 101. For Norah’s 100th Birthday her family bought her a laptop and she came to Wiltshire Online asking for help. The volunteer coordinator matched Norah with volunteer digital champion David, who has been working with Norah through sickness and health over the past year.

David volunteers with Wiltshire Online but also made a pledge to fit in volunteering as part of Wiltshire’s Big Pledge campaign in 2014.

Wiltshire Online: “Norah proves that you are never too old to learn.”

Nora, on her 101st birthday.

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We find that computers and the internet become a lot more interesting for learners when the learner starts to see personal benefits, so we always look for the ‘hook’. In Nora’s case it was shopping for dresses, and when she found out that she could shop online and have them delivered she was excited, only to find that when she registered with her favourite website she couldn’t actually buy anything as their date of birth field only had 2 characters for the year, and Nora looked like she too young to shop! This didn’t stop David, her volunteer from helping, he contacted the company and explained Norah’s situation and they quickly changed the field to allow for the full date of birth instead. Now Nora is able to shop online all by herself. Norah proves that you are never too old to learn.

David is one of over 100 volunteers for Wiltshire Online, and between them they have helped over 1300 learners in Wiltshire with one to one support. Sessions can be in individuals own homes, in public places with Wifi, at Wiltshire Libraries, at our computer clubs which are aided in two areas by 6th form student volunteers, in coffee shops, lunch clubs and at Job Centre Plus where we help get job seekers get on line too.

Digital champions offer free basic computer support, however, the service they actually provide is far more than that. The volunteer gives

learners who are frightened of the internet, confidence, and this can open up a whole new exciting world of opportunities, including health benefits in combatting social isolation by introducing social media, saving money as prices can be compared instantly online, expanding knowledge with information at a touch of a button, improving travel and leisure options, enriching hobbies and so much more. Our learners are so grateful to receive this free one to one help from volunteers and appreciate that the help is because the volunteer wants to be there and not because they are paid to help, which enriches the learning experience for both the learner and the volunteer.

Wiltshire online in on twitter #wiltshireonline

Facebook: Wiltshire online

Website: Www.wiltshireonline.org

David, Digital Champion for

Wiltshire Online

http://Www.wiltshireonline.org


Guide Dogs:

“Alan is truly the backbone of the Swindon Guide Dogs Group and an inspiration to all.”

Every hour, another person in the UK goes blind. When someone loses their sight, we’re here to make sure they don’t lose their freedom as well.

Our Support Groups in the community are our ambassadors. They fundraise and raise awareness of the services we can provide and they are all volunteers.

Alan Fletcher who is the Branch Chair of Swindon Guide Dogs is a guide dog owner who through volunteering has led the way in helping others with a visual impairment.

Alan says, ‘Becoming blind when I was 57 years old it made me realise how vulnerable you become and in some cases quite helpless and that is one of the reasons I applied to have a guide dog as I realised I could not change what happened to me but there are aids to help me get on with my life.’

‘When I got my first guide dog, Joy, she changed my life and I thought I could

help people like me to lead a normal a life as possible.’

Alan became Chairman of Swindon Guide Dogs Group in 2008, taking it from strength to strength and since then they have raised over £350,000 for Guide Dogs!

He adds ‘I lead a group of volunteers that fundraise and do talks to raise the awareness of our charity locally. I communicate with local MPs, organisations, businesses and newspapers and community magazines about events, collections and national issues in Guide Dogs.’

Alan is truly the backbone of the Swindon Guide Dogs Group and an inspiration to all. Helping Alan along the way is his wife Shirley and his new guide dog Nutmeg.

We have lots of roles in the community which all work towards helping provide services to people who are blind or partially sighted.

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Puppy walking is a crucial volunteering role which prepares guide dog puppies for their working life by familiarising them with different environments including the home, towns and public transport.

Volunteer Puppy Walkers provide the full-time care and education of a puppy from six weeks of age until they are between 12 and 14 months old.

Jacqui a Puppy Walker says, ‘My love of dogs combined with the opportunity to help someone else could not have made this more perfect. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling thing to do.’

The My Guide service trains volunteers to use basic sighted guiding techniques to help people with sight loss get out of their homes and to do things they enjoy.

These volunteers assist people with sight loss, regularly guiding them to local shops, community events or to take part in a specific interest or hobby.

Katie a My Guide volunteer explains: ‘Volunteering gives me a sense of achievement. My Guide volunteering is free from pressure and is very flexible. It’s also fun!’

Alan and Nutmeg.


The Youth Adventure Trust would like to take this opportunity to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of our amazing volunteers!

Put simply the programme we offer would not be possible without their dedication and enthusiasm.

Our volunteers offer a wide range of skills and experiences and we really value the diversity they bring to our programme. They are ideal role models for our young people and they invest a great deal of energy and time into ensuring that the young people have a positive, meaningful and enjoyable experience with us.

Aiden, who completed the Youth Adventure Trust programme last year, says:

“The youth adventure programme has been and always will be one of the most thrilling experiences that I will never forget. I Hope the new Year 7’s enjoy the journey through the programme as much as I did. Thank you to Rob, Tessa and all the volunteers who helped out. P.S Can I come back

and volunteer when I'm older please?!”

Youth Adventure Trust :

“Put simply the programme we offer would not be possible without their dedication and enthusiasm.”

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We would like to say a massive thank you to all the volunteers that support Wiltshire Library Service in a variety of different ways. Our Community Library Volunteers help us to keep our smallest libraries open and extend the opening hours at other libraries across the county. We have over 300 of these volunteers who regularly give up their time to ensure that their communities have good access to their local library.

At the new Springfield Community Campus library volunteers have also helped us to provide increased opening hours for our customers. Over the last year all these volunteers gave up 18526 hours to support Wiltshire libraries.

We have 123 amazing Home Service volunteers who deliver books to people who are unable to leave their homes to visit the library. 207 people were able to continue to have regular access to books over the last year because of these volunteers. Our Home Service clients and volunteers enjoy getting to know each other and this regular social contact can be very important for many of our clients.

Altogether we have 760 volunteers who get involved with Wiltshire Libraries. As well as the wonderful volunteers above, we also have people of all ages who help us to deliver the Summer Reading Challenge to primary aged children in all our libraries over the summer holidays. Other volunteers are involved in regular story and rhyme times for pre-school children. We are very lucky to have the support of so many committed and energetic volunteers and we very much appreciate all they do for us.

Wiltshire Libraries Service:

“We are very lucky to have the support of so many committed and energetic volunteers and we very much appreciate all they do for us.”


Home-Start Kennet:

“You’re all skilled, committed and lovely people and we thank you so much!”

What we do:

Home-Start Kennet is part of a national

network of 340 local Home-Starts. We

are a voluntary organisation and our

professionally trained and supported

volunteers offer friendship, support

and practical help to parents with

young children, in their own homes.

Our Volunteers:

Forty local people, of all ages and

backgrounds, have supported 85

families with 180 children in the past

year. They visit weekly, for about six

months, and work alongside their

families to help with a wide range of

issues that parents tell us are

preventing them from being able to

give their children the best start in life.

Our families are full of praise for

“their” volunteer and appreciate the

regular visits and friendly support that

is offered.

Hear from our volunteers:

“I’ve been with 3 families all very

different….the support I receive from

organisers and admin is total ... it’s

been such a privilege to help my

families pick themselves up .. ..as a

volunteer I can form a relationship

that bypasses an intervention by any

statutory agency and form a bond

that really makes a difference.”

“Boosted my confidence in

interacting with children. As a

grandma, I love watching the kids

develop and enjoy relieving mum’s

workload.”

“HS is my way of giving something

back now my children have left

home.”

“Looking forward to a career working

with families – hopefully Home-

Start.”

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Hear from our Families

“I have had a lovely experience. The

having twins’ thing has been an

intense first year. With my Home-

Start volunteer on a Friday I have felt

less overwhelmed and less isolated,

and gained lots of reassurance from

the support she provided.”

“Extremely helpful team of people

who had helped me to turn my life

around. I feel more confident and

get out more, have more friends

with children and take part in local

groups. Couldn’t have done it

without them”.

How we prepare and support our

volunteers:

Prep course – 7 weekly sessions that

give practical information and teach

volunteers how to do things “the

Home-Start way”

The prep course can be CERTA

accredited for people who want to

move into family support on a

professional basis or who want the

certificate for its own sake!

Lots of peer group meetings when

volunteers can talk among

themselves about their experiences

and learn from each other

Extra specialised sessions each year

– recently about mental health

issues, safeguarding and learning

through play

A professional organiser who makes

all the arrangements and keeps in

close touch while a volunteer is

working with a family

A whole team approach so that all

staff can support a volunteer who

rings the office.

A big thank you to all our volunteers

The Board of Trustees and

Management of Home-Start Kennet

want our home visiting volunteers to

know how much we appreciate all that

they do – for their families and for our

organisation. Home-Start is a

volunteer-delivered service – without

our volunteers we would not exist.

You’re all skilled, committed and lovely

people and we thank you so much!

PS – we welcome new volunteers and

new trustees, especially from the

Tidworth, West Wilts and Devizes

areas. Do visit our website

(www.homestartkennet.co.uk or our

Facebook page)

http://www.homestartkennet.co.uk


Every year the Alzheimer’s Society local groups to nominate volunteers and staff for a People Award and this year Emma nominated Ken Dungate for an award in the Trusted Colleague category – they had over 300 nominations for 6 categories in total so I was over the moon that he was shortlisted to the final 6 in his category and invited to the ceremony at St James’ Palace in April.

The winners were announced by Society ambassador Angela Rippon and they were presented with their awards by HRH Princess Alexandra and Ken won his category!

Ken has been volunteering for the Society for over two years and has given up his time to come to Singing for the Brain, Memory Cafés, our Day Care Centre, a cookery course and any other events he is asked to help with. Ken's friendly, professional, open and honest approach ensures he builds trust with people affected by dementia, employees and fellow volunteers with ease. He always treats people with dementia with dignity and respect and helps build strong relationships across all the

services he volunteers at.

Basically Ken is in his 80s but readily gives up his time to help out twice a week wherever he is needed as well as volunteering at St Thomas’ church in Salisbury – he is always cheerful, professional and an absolute pleasure to have around – plus he makes the best mug of tea!

He took one of his daughters to the awards and they had a lovely time – we were all extremely proud of him but it is no less than he deserves for all he does for the Society – he is one of an extraordinary team of volunteers that we have in South Wiltshire and I could not manage without each and every one of them, so sincere thanks to you all.

Alzheimer's Society :

“Ken’s he is always cheerful, professional and an absolute pleasure to have around – plus he makes the best mug of tea!”

Ken receiving his award from HRH Princess

Alexandra.

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Calne Town Council CCTV Volunteers: Over the past year volunteers have given a total of 2617 hours of their time!

Calne Town Council CCTV are proud to

be one of a small minority of CTTV

Control Rooms staffed entirely by

Volunteer CCTV Operators.

Calne CCTV seeks to deter and reduce

the fear of crime, enhancing

community safety and assisting the

local Police Constabulary it its

enforcement and regulatory functions

within the town. With the support of

a CTTV Manager employed by Calne

Town Council, a committed team of

25 volunteers provide round the clock

surveillance of 11 cameras located

around the town.

Over the past year volunteers have

given a total of 2617 hours of their

time, with a typical shift of three to

four hours.

Hear from a Calne CCTV volunteer:

“After taking early retirement, I soon

found that I needed to find something

to ‘get me out of the house’ and a

chance conversation with a friend led

me to apply to the Council as a

volunteer CCTV operator. After several

hours training on both the equipment

itself and the necessary legislation, I

‘entered service’ along with an

experienced operator and as my

experience grew I then chose my own

shifts and operating partners.I found

that volunteering in this way gave me

not only an insight into the efforts to

protect the community but made me

a part of it.”

For any enquiries regarding Calne

CCTV or to find out more about

becoming a Volunteer CCTV Operator

please contact Gerry Mooney, Calne

Town Council CCTV Manager, at

[email protected] or 01249

814000.

mailto:[email protected]


Methodist Homes for the Aged (MHA)

is a leading, non profit making,

national charity providing services for

older people. The Fairways is a new

retirement village located in

Chippenham, with the Care Home

element of the Village consisting of a

60 places - 30 for people living with

Dementia and 30 residential care.

All at The Fairways greatly cherish our

volunteers, their proven contributions

to the lives of our residents is

immeasurable. We depend greatly on

the generosity and goodwill of our

Volunteers, who give those extra and

special things – their energy,

kindness, skills and most of all, time,

which let’s face it is usually in short

supply. They help run art clubs, sing-

alongs, gardening clubs, activities,

fund raising, befriending and much

more. They make our residents smile,

laugh, feel good about themselves

and keep them informed and valued.

They help keep them fit, healthy and

better able to cope with loss and

frailty.

For all of the above and so much

more, on behalf of all our Residents

and Staff, we would like to say a

massive thank you to all our

wonderful Volunteer’s.

Hear from a few of our lovely

Volunteers:

Helen: “Becoming a Volunteer at The

Fairways is one of the highlights of my

life. At the ripe old age of …?!!! I have

privilege of using the gifts and skills I

have been given – getting alongside

people … supporting, praying with,

sharing, giving comfort, listening,

understanding, doing “crafty” things

together, having fun – and sometimes

even being “naughty”! I usually end

up feeling that I have received far

more than I have been able to give.

Being a Volunteer is highly

recommended”

MHA - The Fairways Retirement Village: “They make our residents smile, laugh, feel good about themselves and keep them informed and valued.”

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Heather: “I know that the residents

look forward to our little chats, it

breaks up their days. They really

appreciate the one on one

experience. I spread a bit of

happiness and really enjoy it when

they laugh. They have my full

attention and I will treat them with

both dignity and respect. It is so

rewarding and easy to do. You get

so comfortable just chatting to the

residents, it maybe something

normal to you but the residents can

get so much pleasure. Just a couple

of hours can make such a huge

difference; it is a pleasure not a

chore. Go on spread a bit of

happiness”.

Susannah: “It is very rewarding to

see residents responding to various

activities even if they can only

respond in a limited way.

Sometimes there is the unexpected

joy of witnessing someone able to

retrieve a memory from long ago –

sometimes this helps staff and other

volunteers learn a little bit more of

their history and use this in a

positive way. No two days are alike

and this makes life more interesting

– this was always something I found

rewarding as a teacher of young

children and I feel privileged to have

those experiences now”.


Healthwatch Wiltshire (HWW) is the local consumer champion for health and social care. We provide information and signposting, and gather Wiltshire peoples’ experiences of their health and social care, to identify areas of good practice or concern.

Our volunteers are our ‘ears on the ground’ – people out in their communities gathering local intelligence about what services are and are not working. They engage with special interest groups, run promotional stands at a variety of events and attend public meetings such as Area Boards to monitor what is happening within their communities. Our volunteers gather information from children and young people, working age adults and older adults, to suit their interests as well as our priority areas.

Specialist volunteers who have undergone extra training have been invaluable in participating alongside staff on visits to care homes and hospitals, gathering the experiences of residents, patients and carers.

Volunteer directors (board members)

provide the leadership for HWW. The Board agree the strategic direction for us based on what people tell us is important to them. This year we have been focusing on dementia, hospital and community care in general under the Better Care Fund plans for integration, the quality of services more widely, information provision and NHS complaints.

Lucie Woodruff, Volunteer and Engagement Officer, said “I would like to say a huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers who have given their time, by helping to promote us at an event by manning one of our promotional stands, attended their local area board meeting to represent HWW, spent time talking to patients at one of our many hospital or care home visits, carried out a telephone interview, filled out a survey, passed our information to family or friends who might be interested or shared their vast knowledge and experience at a focus group. Without their commitment and time we would not be able to maintain the reach we currently have across Wiltshire. Volunteers – I salute you!!”

Healthwatch Wiltshire “Without their commitment and time we would not be able to maintain the reach we currently have across Wiltshire.”

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June, a specialist volunteer said “Having retired from working with Health and Social Care and within the Voluntary sector I felt I may still have something to give to the community – volunteering using my experience and knowledge. When a friend pointed out that there was going to be a “Healthwatch Wiltshire” being set up and perhaps I would be interested, I immediately looked online for information.

I attended a meeting in Devizes where I unexpectedly met up with people I’d worked with in the past, listened to how Healthwatch Wiltshire was talking about their aim to give residents and local communities the opportunity to have a strong voice and to challenge and influence health and social care services. It sounded just up my street so happily signed up to become a volunteer!

I have now been involved for a year and really enjoy the excellent training that is provided, the warm and friendly staff, the opportunity to meet other volunteers and listen to Wiltshire residents about their experiences of what works well and what needs to significantly improve!”

We have over 40 active volunteers, and would welcome applications from anyone else interested in making peoples’ voices heard about health and social care. We have volunteers acting in a variety of roles, and have a range of opportunities available to suit you, including openings for new directors.

www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk

Twitter: @HWWilts

01225 434218

June representing Healthwatch Wiltshire with a promotional stall .

http://www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk


Victim Support is the independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales. Last year, Victim Support offered more than one million victims of crime support.

The charity has 1,050 staff and 3,000 volunteers and celebrated its 40th anniversary during 2014. We rely highly on volunteers to deliver our service.

Victim Support Wiltshire currently has 20 volunteers covering the county and we are actively recruiting to have a total of 40 volunteers.

The volunteers visit the victims in their home and provide emotional support in the form of a listening ear, building resilience and validating the victim’s feelings. If there is a need volunteers can act as advocates and liaise with different agencies on behalf of the victim.

Volunteers can have a big impact on victims moving forward from the effects of crime, here is how Victim Support helped a victim of childhood abuse.

“I never really had a childhood, only an experience of fear and shame. The memories and the after-effects – from depression to fear of relationships – have haunted me throughout my life.

“I heard about Victim Support from my brother. My specialist Victim Support worker looked into different support and educational services for me. The experience was all positive.

Talking through my issues and their causes with my Victim Support worker has given me the understanding of the impact of the sexual violence on my life which I needed to be able to move on.”

Volunteers Comments:

“Helping people to get their lives back

on track after being a victim of crime is

an important role and gives me

tremendous satisfaction.”

“I am proud to volunteer for Victim

Support and would encourage anyone

interested in making a difference while

learning new skills to consider

volunteering for Victim Support.”

Victim Support: “Volunteers can have a big impact on victims moving forward from the effects of crime”

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Splitz would like to take this

opportunity to thank all our amazing

volunteers who have contributed so

far in 2015 to helping victims of

domestic abuse – without you a lot

more families and individuals would

still be struggling.”

The Buddy Scheme is a mentoring and

befriending service which currently

has 19 trained volunteer mentors (or

buddies) who, each support between

one and three service users at any

one time. We are always looking for

new volunteers and are especially

interested if you live in the North or

the South of the county.

Hear from our volunteers:

Michelle: “I received support from

Splitz in 2003-2004 and again in 2007.

Having always wished to give

something back to the charity I joined

the team as a Buddy in April 2014.

Today I would describe myself as a

confident single mum of four. Part of

my own recovery from past hurts is to

continue helping others through tough

times. There's nothing more

rewarding than giving someone hope

for the future, which is what Splitz

gave to me in a dark time of my life."

Jenny: “I chose to volunteer with Splitz

Support after learning of the high

prevalence and severe impact of

domestic abuse as part of my course

at University. I found the training

given by Splitz Support before starting

as a Buddy was very useful. It

provided me with an insight into the

experience of domestic abuse as well

as the confidence to feel I could help

someone who was having a difficult

time.”

Sarah, service user:

“The Buddy Scheme is a great service

for both the service user and buddy; it

creates confidence on both sides.”

Splitz Support Service : “(…) without you a lot more families and individuals would still be struggling.””

Registered Charity No. 1096008 Volunteer Centre Wiltshire is run by DEVELOP

Contact us

Tel: 0845 521 6224

Email: [email protected]

www.volunteercentrewilts.org.uk

Textphone: 0845 094 2113

This information can be available in

alternative formats, please contacts us.

Volunteer Centre Wiltshire, 3-4 New Road,

Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1EJ

http://www.volunteercentrewilts.org.uk

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'Thank You' 2015

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