Volunteering Opportunities

Community

We have all heard stories about local volunteer heroes – or seen them at work. Why is it that they usually have a smile on their face and have loads of friends? The truth is, that volunteering not only helps the community, it also benefits the people who are doing the volunteering…

In our June 2024 edition, in celebration of National Volunteering day, Izzie Addison looked at 8 ways that volunteering can be good for you. The article pointed readers to this page. So if you are looking for a way to get the benefits for yourself, here’s a few organisations you could be helping.

Nest Aylesbury Vale

Are you a Mum who wants to help other Mums?

Nest Aylesbury Vale local charity supporting families with children under 5 are looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways.

https://pitstone.co.uk/localnews/nest-are-looking-for-new-volunteers-to-help-support-families-with-young-children/

Countryways CIC

Countryways CIC Care Farm near Great Missenden provides so much more than just support to local vulnerable young adults with special educational needs. We deliver over 480 special individual sessions and over 50 educational group and school visits annually, linking sustainable farming, food and nature. We provide active and meaningful opportunities for our community, especially those with a range of disabilities, to engage with the countryside, interact with farm animals and nature, to nurture life skills and promote wellness.

If working at a care farm with people, animals and surrounded by breathtaking countryside is your thing, please get in touch. Or come and see for yourself our farm in action at Open Farm Sunday, 9th June, 12.30-4.pm

Contact Details: Amina at vols.rfcountryways@gmail.com or visitwww.roadfarmcountryways.com/jobs

Current volunteer roles

  • Finance Trustee (2-4 hr/week)
  • Farm Helper Assistant(3hr/week)
  • Mucking out Helper (1-2 hr/week)
  • Fundraiser
  • Skills Support Mentor
  • Disability Networks/ Visits Link

Other special requirements

  • Over 18s
  • Some roles require DBS checks

Wendover Dementia Support

Volunteering for Wendover Dementia Support offers numerous benefits, both for the volunteers and the community. Volunteers gain the satisfaction of making a tangible difference in the lives of those living with dementia, providing companionship and support that enhances their quality of life. Engaging in this meaningful work also fosters a deep sense of empathy and understanding about dementia, helping to reduce stigma and raise awareness. Additionally, volunteers can develop new skills and experiences that are valuable for personal growth and future career opportunities. The sense of community and camaraderie among volunteers and staff at Wendover Dementia Support creates a supportive environment where individuals can build lasting friendships and connections. Overall, volunteering here is a rewarding way to contribute positively to society while gaining enriching life experiences.

wendoverds.org.uk

Contact details: Cheryl Akeroyd, Administrator, 07732 342409, info@wendoverds.org.uk

Current vacancies

  • Regular and ad hoc drivers (for visitors attending the Monday Club Cafe)

Special requirements

Vehicles being used by volunteers must meet the required levels of road safety legislation and where necessary have passed the MoT test and insured on a comprehensive basis with their policy for their role as a volunteer driver.

Hold a valid UK driving licence and comply with legislation about fitness to drive. All drivers must be under the age of 85 and complete a basic DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).

Selection process: Complete an application form and visit the Monday Club Café for an informal conversation.

Time commitments: Regular Drivers – Pre-agreed rota, 1 day a week on a Monday, roughly 1 hour in total to transport visitors to and from the Monday Club Café who live in and around Wendover. Ad hoc drivers – Once or twice a month on a Monday. Roughly 1 hour in total to transport visitors to and from the Monday Club Café who live in and around Wendover. Requests made when required and depending on drivers’ availability.

Training/induction: Full training provided (and required).

Benefits and role-related resources: Drivers are not paid but may, if they wish, claim a mileage allowance to a maximum of the HMRC recommended rate to defray vehicle running costs.

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is here for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, across Buckinghamshire and its borders. We enhance and complement the care and support delivered by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to ensure patients, families and carers get the individual clinical, practical and emotional support they need to make the most if every day they have together.

All services are provided free of charge to patients and their families – this is only possible thanks to the continued support and fundraising efforts of so many individuals and businesses. With over 650 volunteers across the charity, each volunteer plays an important role in supporting the work of the we do.  We have volunteers in our shops, at fundraising events, in the hospice as well as many other supporting roles.

We have 13 shops across Buckinghamshire and its boarders – including one of our longest standing shops in Wendover.  Our shops are instrumental in raising funds and awareness of the work that we do.  Each shop plays an important part in the community they serve.

https://fnhospice.org.uk/

Contact Details: volunteering@fnhospice.org.uk  or call 01296 429975

Current volunteer vacancies:

  • Wendover Shop
  • PAT Tester – Wendover
  • Hospice Volunteer Patient Drivers
  • Hospice Gardeners

Other information: DBS check required for some positions.

Training/induction: We provide our volunteers with the training and support they need to carry out their role.  Throughout the year we have various opportunities for volunteers to socialise and get together including team meetings and thank you events.  We feel it is important that every voluntary role has a positive impact on the organisation and our community as well as the volunteer.

Girlguiding Wendover division

Girlguiding helps all girls know they can do anything. We run Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. We give girls a space to have fun, make friends and take on exciting adventures. Wendover division includes units across Wendover, Halton, Stoke Mandeville and Aston Clinton.
You don’t need to have been involved in guiding before or have loads of time to make a big difference. Whatever your skills and interests, whether it’s volunteering with girls directly or supporting behind the scenes, there’s a role for you.
www.girlguidingwendover.org.uk
Contact details: Email divison commissioner Fiona on wendoverdc@gmail.com
Current volunteer roles
  • Volunteer with girls in unit meetings (as a unit helper or leader).
  • Help behind the scenes with finance and accounts, unit/division administration, or at our division shop.
Special requirements: You’ll need a Girlguiding DBS check and will need to complete the initial safeguarding training.
Time commitment: Our units meet weekly during term time but volunteering with Girlguiding is flexible. You can make a difference no matter how much time you’ve got!
Training/induction: Once you’ve had a chat with our divison commissioner, we’ll help arrange a taster session where you can visit a unit meeting (if you’d like to volunteer with the girls). If you’d like to join us, you’ll have access to high-quality safeguarding, first aid and leadership training.
Benefits: Volunteering for Girlguiding is a great way to meet new people and take a break from your daily routine. You can gain new skills by taking our leadership development qualification, becoming a first aider or qualified outdoor activity instructor. Whatever it is you’re looking for, there’ll be something in it for you.

The Pace Centre

Pace provides education and therapy support for children aged 0-18 with a wide range of neurodisabilities. Our traditional specialism is in supporting children and young people with cerebral palsy and other similar sensory motor disorders, and that is still the principal focus of our school provision. However, our therapy services increasingly cater for children with a much wider variety of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social emotional and mental health challenges (SEMH), behavioural challenges, school refusal and motor coordination challenges.
The babies, children and young people we work with – and their families – are at the centre of everything we do at Pace.

Share your time, skills and expertise with Pace, and make an incredible difference! Whether your employer gives you one day a year to gift, or you have time every week, we have an opportunity for you. and we will always make sure you have a smile on your face too!

thepacecentre.org

Contact details: Jackie Morris or Louise Walker info@thepacecentre.org 01296 614287

  • Helping out on our stand or help us to pack away at Kop Hill Climb – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September
  • Help at the Pace Golf Day – Friday 27th September
  • Trustee – Paediatric Clinical
  • Trustee – Marketing

Special requirements: DBS check will be required

Selection process: Informal conversation (events roles), meet with 1 or 2 other trustees and interview (Trustee roles).

Time commitment: Our events roles are flexible and we will pre-agree the rota with you. Our Trustee roles have specific timings and these can be sent on request.

Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care Wendover

Rennie Grove Peace provides palliative, end-of-life advice, support, education and a wide range of services to those people who are registered with a West Herts or Buckinghamshire GP practice.Rennie Grove Peace is a specialist palliative care provider whose services are delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of Nurses, Doctors, Allied Health Professionals, therapists, support staff and volunteers who will ensure the right service is delivered by the right person at the right time. Professional and self-referrals are received for those patients and those who care for them, including the Health and/or Social care workforce.

www.renniegrovepeace.org

Contact Details: (Supporting Hands volunteers)Fenella Campa, Volunteering Development Advisor – volunteers@renniegrovepeace.org 01727 731020  | Louise Hewitt – Senior Community Fundraiser louise.hewitt@renniegrovepeace.org 01442 890222

Current vacancies

  • Supporting Hands’ volunteers
  • Fundraising committee member (planning, promoting and support events)

Selection process  Informal conversation and invite to committee a meeting

Time commitment: Attend committee meetings approx. every 6 weeks (weekday lunchtime in Wendover). Attend Wendover Fundraising Group events where available.

Rhubarb Café @ St Michael and All Angels Church, Aston Clinton

Our popular Rhubarb Cafe is open in St Michael’s church every Monday afternoon 2pm to 4pm (except on Bank Holidays when it is closed).
The cafe is run by volunteers and we offer table service to all. The cafe provides the local community & surrounding area with homemade cake (including gluten free), savouries and refreshments.
We offer contactless payment and also have a children’s corner with books, toys, colouring and stickers.

The café provides a warm welcome, with good coffee, tea and such delicious freshly baked cakes including gluten free. Our beautiful ancient building is the ideal place for young and old alike to meet old friends, make new friends, and bring your children.

Contact details: Natalie Fieldhouse – Café Manager – 01296 632488 – rhubarbcafe1@gmail.com

Current vacancies

  • Volunteers to either serve or bake for Rhubarb Café in Aston Clinton
  • Servers would be required to serve tea, coffee and cake to the customers
  • Bakers would be required to make a cake for the café to sell

Time commitment: The café is open every Monday and we ask our volunteers to either bake or serve once a month / 6 weeks.  If you are serving, you need to be at the café by 1.15pm till around 4pm.  If you are baking, then the cake needs to be delivered by 1.15pm on the Monday with a full ingredient list.

Training/induction: Training is given on the job on your first day if you are a server.

Rotary in Wendover

Rotary is a global network of 1.4million neighbours, friends, leaders and problem solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world and we stay committed to the end. www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary

Rotary in Wendover was founded in 2010 and has always used modern methods of communication, dispensing with bells, toasts and registers of attendance. We meet, weekly if possible, over a meal and/or on a screen, keeping in touch electronically between meetings as necessary. Some past members have never attended a physical meeting but have been essential in moving projects forward. We have initiated an overseas project providing a library for a primary school in a township near Soweto, South Africa.

www.facebook.com/RotaryinWendoverandDistrict

Contact details: rotary.md3@gmail.com

Current volunteer vacancies:

  • New members welcome. Supporters, too.
  • Supporters for Duck Race on the Heron Path on Sunday 20 October 2024.
  • Supporters for Santa Sleigh in December.

Selection process: come and talk to us.

Time commitment: your availability.

Training/induction: work alongside us.

“Perks”, benefits, role-related resources: Satisfaction in helping to build community at local, national and international levels.

Scanappeal

Scannappeal is a registered charity founded in 1987, independent of the NHS,that raises funds to purchase state of the art medical and diagnostic equipment for Amersham, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and community hospitals. Local people living in Buckinghamshire and neighbouring parts of Berkshire,Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire benefit from this life-changing and life-saving medical equipment.

Scannappeal relies on volunteers who help make a big difference to the charity. Whatever time you have to give,we can use it! We simply would not be able to run many of our events without the hours donated by our volunteers.The level of commitment is flexible, whether it is once a week, once a month or on an ad hoc basis. If you are interested in volunteering or would like further information, please contact us.

www.scannappeal.org.uk

Contact Details: Anne Rodgers – Volunteers Co-ordinator, anne.rodgers1@nhs.net, 01494 734161

Current vacancies: Various

The Wendover Swimming Pool

The Wendover Swimming Pool is located in the schools campus behind the Memorial Hall, providing a place for exercise, leisure, and aquatic fun for people of all ages. There are lane swimming sessions, family splash sessions and shielding sessions catering also for those who require assistance entering and exiting the water.

But did you know it is kept afloat thanks to the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers?

There are several different volunteer roles available at the pool, so you can find one that suits you. Whether you’re a lifeguard ensuring everyone’s safety in the water, a first-aid assistant providing medical care in case of emergencies, or a friendly face greeting patrons at the front desk, your contribution makes a real difference.

The session numbers and schedule are guided by the availability of Lifeguards.

The pool runs a couple of training sessions a year and can arrange for more if demand is indicated.

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact in your community, please consider volunteering at the Wendover Swimming Pool.

You can contact the Wendover Swimming Pool via its website at www.wendoverswimmingpool.co.uk/

u3a – Wendover

The u3a is a volunteer-led organisation and at all levels volunteers are dedicated to bringing learning opportunities to u3a members across the UK. Locally every u3a is run and activities are delivered by volunteers. This may involve being on the Committee, running interest groups, organising meetings and events, and welcoming new members into a u3a.

Wendover’s groups range from art, bowls and computing through to table tennis, ukulele, walking and many other interests. With more than 50 groups, it tries to offer something for everyone! In addition to interest groups, members arrange holidays, visits to places of interest, trips to the theatre and social events. Each month we have a main meeting in Wendover’s St Marys church, where members have a chance to meet, chat, have a coffee and enjoy a presentation from experts on topics of broad interest.”

www.wendoveru3a.org.uk

Contact details: Ian Crookall, Chairman – 01296 696410 or chairman@wendoveru3a.org.uk.

Current volunteer vacancies

  • Deputy Chair
  • Secretary

Wendover Community News CIC (Wendover News)

Wendover News is a community-owned, not for profit organisation which is run and staffed mainly by volunteers.

As well as publishing the popular free monthly full colour magazine, we intend to expand the online version to serve the community better. In doing so, our aim is to help aspiring writers and influencers to understand the basic disciplines of journalism and give students contemplating media careers real experience of print and online content production processes. As a social enterprise, it will enable would-be entrepreneurs to learn the realities of running a business as part of the team. Mid-career managers can gain an understanding of what it means to be a board member.

Together, we can also help parents and carers getting back to work to regain their confidence by being part of the team; young adults fill their CVs with quality experience – and give school leavers something to talk about when they attend their first job interview. All that relies on us having more volunteers. Get in contact and see if you could be one of them!

Contact details: Richard Byford, 07340 993802 or getinvolved@wendovernews.org

Current volunteer vacancies

  • Deliverers (your area only, or ‘emergency cover’)
  • Designer/typographer advisor print/online
  • Distribution and logistics co-ordinator (role-share)
  • Distributor (driver)
  • Online developers/advisors
  • Photographers x 3
  • Social media content creator x 4
  • Volunteer lead/HR trustee
  • Volunteer manager, administration

Special requirements: DBS check required for some positions.

Selection process: Taster sessions, informal conversation, references required for some positions.

Time commitment: Totally flexible, pre-agreed rota, specific time-bounded projects.

Training/induction: Training provided if appropriate, training/social workshops, coaching and mentoring.

‘Perks’, benefits and role-related resources

Working from home (we have no office)! Certified work experience log for future employers. Please note that we are currently unable to provide work experience or placements for people under the age of 18 and cannot guarantee consistent periods of involvement to qualify for DofE or Kings Scout/Guide volunteering elements – yet…

Wendover Youth Centre

Wendover Youth Centre Limited is a local charity set up to run the Wendover Youth Centre providing a range of activities for the young people of Wendover and surrounding villages.  As well as running a variety of courses to support the students at The John Colet School, Wendover Youth Centre provides a number of Clubs from Wednesday to Friday.  Friday is currently our busiest night when the Centre runs two clubs, the first for School years 5 & 6 from 6.15-7.30pm, the second for school years 7 & 8 from 7.45-9pm for which we need volunteers.

The clubs offer a range of activities during the term but the most important point is that the Centre provides a safe space for young people to meet with their friends and just be themselves.

Volunteers need no particular skills or qualifications and we will welcome new and creative ideas for the club.

Volunteering is a great way to give something back to your community and supports the work we’ve been doing for the last 12 years and continue to do with the young people of Wendover and surrounding villages.

Contact details

Paul – E-mail – paul@wendoveryouth.co.uk; Mob.: 07771 515838

Miranda – admin@wendoveryouth.co.uk

Current volunteer vacancies

  • Helpers for specific events (such as the Youth Fest at Ashbrook Park, 19 June 2024)
  • General helpers for youth clubs
  • Trustees (governance and management)

Special requirements: We will need to carry out a DBS check for all volunteers.

Time commitment: Volunteer for as much or as little as you are able to manage…though once a month would be good…and for only one of the Friday clubs or both.  Feel free to come along for a taster session to see how you like it.

Training/induction: Feel free to come along for a taster session to see how you like it.