Volunteer

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focus October 2015

Latest Vacancies

If you’re interested in any of the vacancies please contact the relevant office for further information : Barbara at the Magherafelt Office barbara@cookstownmagherafeltvc.org or 028 7930 1862 Joanne at the Cookstown Office joanne@cookstownmagherafeltvc.org or 028 8676 1122

In connection to St Vincent de Paul and Cookstown Foodbank a community garden is being created on the grounds of Holy Trinity Church, Cookstown. This communal garden is hoped to provide a relaxing and therapeutic place for people to visit. It is open to everyone to enjoy and appreciate. Due to lack of funds an appeal is being made to the community for any garden tools or equipment, plants/flowers, garden ornaments or decorative items that would contribute to the development of this space. In due course, it is hoped any vegetables harvested will be donated to the local Foodbank for distribution to those in need.

All items will be considered for use and any support will be highly valued.

Guide Dogs is developing a new Volunteer Fundraising Group in Mid Ulster. Join our friendly team and meet new people (as well as some of our fabulous four legged friends). You could be doing anything from helping out at a street collection to selling our trading goods - from cuddly toy pups to pens. Most importantly, by giving a few hours of your time, you'll be making a real difference by helping Guide Dogs enable blind and partially sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else. We have lots of roles within this new group. For further information please contact Alison Rankin

0845 3828 402 or Alison.rankin@guidedogs.org.uk

Age NI Fundraising Volunteer (16+)

Tesco Bag Pack, 26th September 2015

Age NI is delighted to be granted permission to collect at all NI Tesco stores on Saturday 26 September. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds to support older people in Northern Ireland. To make the most of this opportunity we now need volunteers across the province to help - we can’t do this without you. The collection will take place from 10am - 6pm and we are looking for volunteers to cover a 2 hour shift on the day. We would be really grateful for your support if possible, please contact rosalind.cole@ageni.org or call 078 5091 9165 indicating your store preference.

The Base – Magherafelt AccessNI check required

18+ The primary function of the Base is to maintain friendships and/or develop new friendships. It acts as a base for leisure and social activities within the local community for adults with learning disabilities. The Base aims to have a team of volunteers to complement and support the work of the Base co-ordinator. Volunteers assist the individuals of the Base to engage in weekly activities such as leisure, crafts and sporting activities.

The promotion of opportunities, in the heart of the local community, for adults with a learning disability

THE BASE

Youth Club Helper

Tirgan Community Hall 18+

Tirgan youth club takes place on Wednesday nights, it is in a small rural area outside Moneymore, we will offer training opportunities, such as health and safety, child protection etc. It will help the volunteer who is interested in working with children.

18+

AccessNI required

Living Well Living Longer Hairdresser/Aromatherapist/Sports & Physical Activity Coach We are looking for volunteers to join our project to support older people — to promote participation in a range of activities in a Day Centre and hospital setting as part of the Living Well Living Longer service, helping to enhance the quality of a person's life by supporting and promoting his/her wellbeing. The Volunteer Host will be essential in creating a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere to anyone attending, ensuring they get the best out of each session.

Befriender for the NHSCT Dementia Service Are you interested in developing your social life? The NHSCT is looking volunteers to provide unsupervised befriending visits for adults living with dementia within their own home simply chatting, playing activities such as games and crafts to going out on short days out. Volunteers will be required to visit once a week up to three hours.

Volunteers will get full support and in-house training.

Customer Service/Administration 18+

In our charity shop you will be working with customers, many elderly that just want to have a chat, good listening skills will be important. It may be that you yourself would like to gain some skills, you will be trained in Customer Service skills and Health and Safety. You will work with other volunteers, so you will have a laugh, someone to talk to and an opportunity to discuss problems. Remember a problem shared is a problem halved. We need several volunteers to ensure that the shop is open 6 days a week. If you have a few hours we would really appreciate your help. Main duties: sort donations, use recycling policy, keep the shop tidy and clean, be helpful to the customers, record any incidents/accidents and ensure all payments are recorded. Office: reception duties, you will develop communication and organisational skills, you will have an opportunity to gain computer skills and qualifications at no cost. Unfortunately, we are unable to pay volunteer expenses.

Admin/Committee Member Volunteers 18+

LiLAC is a local charity committed to ensuring that people affected by cancer in Mid Ulster area have access to high quality cancer support services. LiLAC is looking to expand the skills of their committee and are appealing for any volunteer help available. Committee members are expected to attend a one hour meeting per month (the first Tuesday of each month) with a minimum commitment of 8 per year. Regardless of backgrounds each member can offer a unique contribution and/or skill to the group. LiLAC would keenly consider the concept of time bank volunteers where a person from another organisation would share their skill to enhance the work of an organisation and in return someone would do the same with a different skill or quality.

Admin Volunteers Required 16+

Rural Community Network is a regional voluntary organisation established by community groups from rural areas to articulate the voice of rural communities on issues relating to poverty, disadvantage and equality. Volunteers are required in RCN office, Oldtown Street Cookstown (preferably mornings). Tasks include filing, input information on database and other general office duties. Training will be provided to use the database.

Volunteers Needed 18+

The Down’s Syndrome Association are running a youth club in Magherafelt for young adults with Down’s Syndrome.

The club consists of different activities e.g. Music, Dancing, Arts&Crafts, Baking and Sports. There are also days out, Christmas parties and more.

Where: Lighthouse, Rainey Street, Magherafelt When : Every Thursday 7pm-9pm

Volunteer Charity Shop worker MindWise is looking a charity shop volunteer within their Magherafelt store to help with daily duties and support the management team carry out the operational role of Mind Wise in Northern Ireland. Main duties include: Maintaining the physical appearance of the shop through housekeeping duties Ensuring all donated goods are sorted, dated and priced according along with cash handling Strive to maximize the sale of donated goods to satisfy budgets Help to promote and organize local events and promotion. (Various Hours available) IT/Social Media Volunteer New Style Furniture charity shop in Magherafelt requires a volunteer to assist staff with the promotion of MindWise via social media websites, with an opportunity to hopefully extend within their two other charity shops. Main duties: To promote the sale of items through the New Style Furniture Facebook page and other social media To set up Facebook pages for the MindWise charity shops To comply to MindWise Data Protection Policy. Suitable applicants must essentially have computer experience and be familiar with social media websites. (Flexible hours available) Delivery Volunteer MindWise is looking a volunteer to assist in the delivery and collection of furniture which is organised by the charity shop within various locations within Northern Ireland. Duties will include: Accompany staff in the van while delivering and collecting furniture Report any concerns or issues to a member of staff Complying with Health and Safety at all times (Various hours available) Anyone wishing to become a volunteer with MindWise will be required to participate in the MindWise Together for You volunteer programme. All travel expenses will be reimbursed and applicants will be subject to an Enhanced AccessNI disclosure check. Volunteer applicants will be inducted via the Together for You volunteer programme.

A fascinating guided walk of Draperstown discovering the hidden geology of the Sperrins through local buildings, led by William Lynn, Geologist.

Sperrins Gateway Set in Stone Walk, Draperstown

Saturday 26 September 11.00am to 1:00pm

Meeting at Draperstown Library

If you are interested in setting up the Draperstown Audio Trail app on your mobile phone and would like assistance, Sperrins Gateway staff will be available before the walk.

To book this free event contact Sperrins Gateway on: 028 7962 8750 or

projects@sperrinsgateway.com

Cookstown Enterprise Centre would like to introduce a new Employability/Enterprise Programme called

‘Exploring Enterprise3 Programme’

The objective is to increase awareness and offer free training and development to people looking to re-

turn to the labour market or potentially become an entrepreneur.

This programme is aimed at disadvantaged communities and underrepresented groups within the

Cookstown area.

These groups include:

Disadvantaged Communities

Unemployed people on benefits (Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Employment Support Al-

lowance, Disability)

Lone Parents

Women 50+

Young People (16-19 Not in Education, Employment or Training)

Economically Inactive

Working/ Studying less than 16hrs per week

On successful completion of the CCEA accredited training course, participants will be awarded a

Level 1 Understanding Business Enterprise.

(A maximum of 10 places is available).

Step Up To Sustainable Employment+ (SUSE+)

“South West College – Employment Solutions – Skill, Re-Skill and Upskill”

On the 1st July 2015 South West College launched it’s new and innovative “Employment Solutions

Programme” SUSE+. Funding secured through European Social Fund (ESF) and Department for

Employment and Learning (DEL) will be used to provide support, guidance and qualifications to help

unemployed and economically inactive adults to progress into sustainable employment.

SUSE+ will work in partnership with the Health and Education Trusts, Councils and DARD (Department

of Agriculture and Rural Development) across Cookstown, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Magherafelt and

Omagh.

The core of the programme will be based around intensive 1:1 mentoring support accompanied by a

suite of provision, including Level 1 qualifications and specialised training. Enhanced support in areas

such as financial, health & digital literacy will ensure that all participants are fully equipped to meet the

demands of today’s labour market.

Dedicated classrooms, workshops and mentoring suites on each site, supported by a team of

recruitment and employability professionals will ensure each individual will receive a tailored package

that will best meet their needs.

For further information on SUSE+ contact the team in your area:

Cookstown: Laura McGahan 077 1809 7463

Magherafelt: Alison Farquhar 077 1809 7520

Dungannon: Marie Skelton 074 4253 1665

Facebook: SUSEPlus Swc

Twitter: SUSE+ (@SusePlus)

This Programme is part financed by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning

Action Mental Health a charity whose remit is actively valuing and raising awareness of mental health throughout Northern Ireland. They are now providing excellent opportunities for training courses which are FREE. MINDSET Is a 3.5 hour programme, bespoke sessions to suit Adults and Young People. A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 per workshop. Funded by PHA TOGETHER FOR YOU Promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland and provide services to meet a range of mental health issues. Funded by the Big Lottery PROVOKING THOUGHT Aims to help young people between the ages of 8 and 25 improve their mental health and equip them with skills to cope better with everyday life events. Funded by the Big Lottery. More information visit www.togetherforyou.org.uk To book contact Beth Gibb 028 9442 8081 or gibb@amh.org.uk

The HSCB have commissioned Health and Social Care Trusts to coordinate multi-agency hubs working in partnership to screen referrals of people with common mental health problems and associated psychologi-cal distress referred from GP practices. Such therapies will include:

Counselling Cognitive behavioral therapy Group therapy Facilitated self-help Life coaching Signposting to other support services

This event will be held on Tuesday 29 September in the Vineyard Church Premises, 10 Hillman’s Way Coleraine BT52 2ED.

Contact Kieran Quinn 028 70327032 Kieran.quinn@northerntrust.hscni.net

Disclaimer: Cookstown and Magherafelt Volunteer Centre cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information or deadlines herein contained. Articles do not necessarily reflect the view of the Cookstown and Magherafelt Volunteer Centre.

Cookstown Volunteer Centre Magherafelt Volunteer Centre 2b Coagh Crescent 20 Queen Street Cookstown Magherafelt BT80 8NH BT45 6AB 028 8676 1122 028 7930 1862

info@cookstownmagherafeltvc.org www.cookstownmagherafeltvc.org

Meet the Team