Volunteers' week 1-7 June 2022

Share your volunteering experience with us

• Share Both sides of the fence on Facebook Share Both sides of the fence on Twitter Share Both sides of the fence on Linkedin Email Both sides of the fence link

  Both sides of the fence

  by Angie, almost 4 years ago

  I'm incredibly lucky that I get to see both sides of volunteering, as a manager who works with volunteers and also as a volunteer.

  The incredible commitment given by volunteers in terms of time and enthusiasm, can never be understated in its importance. They bring a wealth of knowledge and skills and contribute fantastically to whatever task they are involved with. I think it's true to say that volunteers are quite often integral to the sites and projects that they support and are highly valued members of the team.

  From the perspective of my time spent volunteering for over 30... Continue reading

  I'm incredibly lucky that I get to see both sides of volunteering, as a manager who works with volunteers and also as a volunteer.

  The incredible commitment given by volunteers in terms of time and enthusiasm, can never be understated in its importance. They bring a wealth of knowledge and skills and contribute fantastically to whatever task they are involved with. I think it's true to say that volunteers are quite often integral to the sites and projects that they support and are highly valued members of the team.

  From the perspective of my time spent volunteering for over 30 years with a living history society, I can honestly say that it has given me some of the best times and memories. I have made new friends and been given opportunities to do things that would never ordinarily happen - where else would I have the opportunity to spend time in, and even camp overnight at some well known historic castles? The chance to help inspire and entertain future generations of history fans by sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge has been priceless to me. Who knows? Maybe one of those children I coaxed into trying on some medieval armour may become a future history teacher. At the very least, they have been given a memory to take away and that is what matters to me, the chance to make a difference to someone, even in a small way.
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  Voluntary Centre Services

  by Voluntary Centre Services, almost 4 years ago

  Voluntary Centre Services would like to say thank you to all volunteers across our county of Lincolnshire, especially during Volunteers’ Week. No matter who you give your time to, every minute is appreciated... thank you for all you do for our communities!

  Voluntary Centre Services would like to say thank you to all volunteers across our county of Lincolnshire, especially during Volunteers’ Week. No matter who you give your time to, every minute is appreciated... thank you for all you do for our communities!
• Share Army Cadets and hedgehog fosterer on Facebook Share Army Cadets and hedgehog fosterer on Twitter Share Army Cadets and hedgehog fosterer on Linkedin Email Army Cadets and hedgehog fosterer link

  Army Cadets and hedgehog fosterer

  by Lucy.Robertson, almost 4 years ago

  I work for Lincolnshire County Council and I volunteer as an Army Cadet instructor at North Hykeham detachment. It is a few hours every week and then the occasional weekend. It is great to be able to help the local teenagers and see their confidence grow and give them a little bit of insight into the military.

  I also foster hedgehogs for the local wildlife trust. I have a section of my garage that is set up for short notice fostering. My longest foster was "Jordan" who my kids named after Jordan North when he was on "I am a... Continue reading

  I work for Lincolnshire County Council and I volunteer as an Army Cadet instructor at North Hykeham detachment. It is a few hours every week and then the occasional weekend. It is great to be able to help the local teenagers and see their confidence grow and give them a little bit of insight into the military.

  I also foster hedgehogs for the local wildlife trust. I have a section of my garage that is set up for short notice fostering. My longest foster was "Jordan" who my kids named after Jordan North when he was on "I am a Celebrity, get me out of here". He was only little when we got him but we fed him up and had him for about 4 months over the winter. Once he got up to weight he then hibernated (such a noisy snorer) and it was great to release him in the back garden once the weather was suitable.

  I think volunteering is a great way to be able to give something back to the community.
• Share Kelly - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Facebook Share Kelly - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Twitter Share Kelly - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Linkedin Email Kelly - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project link

  Kelly - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project

  by Katie Blay, about 4 years ago

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Kelly

  I love volunteering at Swineshead Children’s Centre because I enjoy making people happy and meeting the new families. Watching the children who attend the parent led group gain confidence in each session is great to see.

  I enjoy seeing the interaction the children have with each other and the social skills they are learning. Using my skills in sign language during the songs and knowing how good parents feel after each session is great! It helps me when I am thinking about my future... Continue reading

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Kelly

  I love volunteering at Swineshead Children’s Centre because I enjoy making people happy and meeting the new families. Watching the children who attend the parent led group gain confidence in each session is great to see.

  I enjoy seeing the interaction the children have with each other and the social skills they are learning. Using my skills in sign language during the songs and knowing how good parents feel after each session is great! It helps me when I am thinking about my future career and degree in psychology.

  With the Early Years Alliance there is the opportunity to learn new things as they offer training and extra courses like paediatric first aid.

  Volunteering also gives me more confidence. I enjoy the fact that it is supported by a Skills Development Officer, and I can have fun volunteering with my friend and all the families that come along.

  Kelly
• Share Katie - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Facebook Share Katie - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Twitter Share Katie - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Linkedin Email Katie - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project link

  Katie - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project

  by Katie Blay, about 4 years ago

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Katie

  I volunteer at Swineshead Children’s Centre. My favourite thing about volunteering is meeting new families and children in the local community and being able to pass on my experience of being a mum of three to other families. I believe support in parenting is what we all need at times.

  Volunteering within the Children’s Centre has helped me gain confidence in working with young children and the ‘Bizzy Family Fun’ group we run has allowed me to bring my arts and craft side out.... Continue reading

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Katie

  I volunteer at Swineshead Children’s Centre. My favourite thing about volunteering is meeting new families and children in the local community and being able to pass on my experience of being a mum of three to other families. I believe support in parenting is what we all need at times.

  Volunteering within the Children’s Centre has helped me gain confidence in working with young children and the ‘Bizzy Family Fun’ group we run has allowed me to bring my arts and craft side out. It is such a nice environment to volunteer in and you are fully supported by the Best Start Skills Development Officer.

  Katie
• Share Claire - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Facebook Share Claire - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Twitter Share Claire - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Linkedin Email Claire - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project link

  Claire - Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project

  by Katie Blay, about 4 years ago

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Claire

  I started volunteering last July. The recruitment process was really good and efficient. DBS checks and the paperwork was pretty straight forward.

  The Early Years team in Abbey Children’s Centre are like a family as I'm living away from home. I volunteer in Early Years sessions. I’ve found it easier to interact with the older children and struggled a bit with the babies but the more you do something the easier it gets. I feel valued by the staff because they tell me how... Continue reading

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Claire

  I started volunteering last July. The recruitment process was really good and efficient. DBS checks and the paperwork was pretty straight forward.

  The Early Years team in Abbey Children’s Centre are like a family as I'm living away from home. I volunteer in Early Years sessions. I’ve found it easier to interact with the older children and struggled a bit with the babies but the more you do something the easier it gets. I feel valued by the staff because they tell me how much they value me after every session. I also feel valued by the families.

  Volunteering is like, you are doing some good and helping somebody else - especially the babies. You see them coming into sessions, and they are very shy. You can tell they're looking for reassurance, but then they keep coming back to group and each time they get more and more relaxed. It has been an enjoyable and positive experience.

  It’s helpful working in a team, Abbey Children’s Centre is a busy environment with new families coming every week. It’s given me the confidence to talk to different people.

  The Early Years Alliance provided me with opportunities for development personally and professionally. The training was really good, a good variety. I've done a lot of training before, but it's always good to establish when things change and good to refresh. I liked that the training I needed to do was relevant to my voluntary role.

  It’s been good to be involved and not spend too much time just being at home. It refreshed my skills, because I've not been in work for such a long time. I recently applied for jobs because everything's going up in terms of prices. Now I have a job I will miss going to group and volunteering -volunteering gives you that boost afterwards. You might feel a bit ‘yuk’ before and then you come out of it feeling like you've done something good with your time. Giving my time to a good cause has been a great achievement.

  Claire
• Share Steph – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Facebook Share Steph – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Twitter Share Steph – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Linkedin Email Steph – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project link

  Steph – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project

  by Katie Blay, about 4 years ago

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Steph

  My experience at being a volunteer in the East Lindsey Children's Centres has been extremely positive. From day one I was made to feel welcome and valued. The families and staff have always included me in discussions and conversations. I’ve always felt like my voice is heard.

  I’ve volunteered alongside the amazing Educators within the Early Years sessions which has expanded my own skills and knowledge.

  Katie, my Skills Development Officer is always on hand to help and support me in anything I need... Continue reading

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Steph

  My experience at being a volunteer in the East Lindsey Children's Centres has been extremely positive. From day one I was made to feel welcome and valued. The families and staff have always included me in discussions and conversations. I’ve always felt like my voice is heard.

  I’ve volunteered alongside the amazing Educators within the Early Years sessions which has expanded my own skills and knowledge.

  Katie, my Skills Development Officer is always on hand to help and support me in anything I need or ask. I’m always made aware of the vast number of training opportunities there is available to develop my knowledge and keep me up to date on relevant training. Katie is always so approachable and again makes me feel like a valued member.

  Volunteering has grown my confidence in my ability to get back into my career path after being out for so many years raising my family. I really do enjoy my role and appreciate the opportunity to be able to be part of such a great team

  Steph
• Share Beyza – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Facebook Share Beyza – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Twitter Share Beyza – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project on Linkedin Email Beyza – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project link

  Beyza – Early Years Alliance Volunteer for the Best Start project

  by Katie Blay, about 4 years ago

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Beyza

  I volunteer for the Early Years Alliance at Spalding Children Centre as an Early Years volunteer. I'm learning lots of things about children and how I can respond to their requests and needs and also this experience helps my motherhood in my home while I communicate with my daughter.
  
  At the beginning I had low self-esteem while I was talking to someone else because of my poor English but day by day I talk to parents and their children and we do activities together... Continue reading

  Story submitted by Katie Blay, Early Years Alliance Skills Development Team Leader on behalf of Beyza

  I volunteer for the Early Years Alliance at Spalding Children Centre as an Early Years volunteer. I'm learning lots of things about children and how I can respond to their requests and needs and also this experience helps my motherhood in my home while I communicate with my daughter.
  
  At the beginning I had low self-esteem while I was talking to someone else because of my poor English but day by day I talk to parents and their children and we do activities together and now I feel more comfortable while I'm talking with people.
  
  Volunteering has made a difference to my life and it changed my future plans. I'm planning to get some qualifications as I want to be a Teaching Assistant or Social Worker helping children.

  Beyza
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  SamuelB

  by Sam Bradshaw, about 4 years ago

  THANK YOU TO ALL VOLUNTEERS!
  
  It’s Volunteers Week 2022 and here at LCVS we want to say a big thank you to all volunteers. You help make our communities a better place. One of our Senior Area Officers, Angela has prepared a short thank you video to show how much we appreciate everything you do.
  
  THANK YOU
  
  https://youtu.be/CpIKNi1SIsU

  THANK YOU TO ALL VOLUNTEERS!
  
  It’s Volunteers Week 2022 and here at LCVS we want to say a big thank you to all volunteers. You help make our communities a better place. One of our Senior Area Officers, Angela has prepared a short thank you video to show how much we appreciate everything you do.
  
  THANK YOU
  
  https://youtu.be/CpIKNi1SIsU
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  Socks on a Sunday

  by Jeannine Thornley, about 4 years ago
  

  Christmas Day 2018 is when it all started for me! My sister and I fancied doing something ‘different’ on Christmas Day – so we volunteered for ECHO (East Coast Homeless Outreach) an organisation I came across on Facebook who were doing a Christmas dinner in Lincoln for the homeless and vulnerable.

  Christmas is a tricky time for lots of people, especially the community we work with, as the festive period magnifies their challenging circumstances and estrangements from loved ones. There is the additional overwhelming social pressure for it to be a ‘happy time’ - and its usually pretty cold too!

  ... Continue reading

  Christmas Day 2018 is when it all started for me! My sister and I fancied doing something ‘different’ on Christmas Day – so we volunteered for ECHO (East Coast Homeless Outreach) an organisation I came across on Facebook who were doing a Christmas dinner in Lincoln for the homeless and vulnerable.

  Christmas is a tricky time for lots of people, especially the community we work with, as the festive period magnifies their challenging circumstances and estrangements from loved ones. There is the additional overwhelming social pressure for it to be a ‘happy time’ - and its usually pretty cold too!

  So fast forward 3½ years and volunteering has become an integral part of my life. In Lincoln ECHO provides a hot 2-course meal, hot and cold drinks, and a cold food bag for ‘laters’ every Sunday. Currently our kitchen is based at Croft Street Community Centre, and we regularly serve between 40-60 lunches.

  But its more than just a kitchen serving food. Our volunteer team are reliable, well organised, caring and compassionate, and a great sense of humour is essential! We greet our regulars by name – as simple as it sounds, this is a big deal and reinforces each visitor’s sense of self-worth. We provide a safe space for people to come and have a natter over a cuppa. In 2020 I was proud to become a Mental Health First Aider and also completed a suicide alertness training course – this means as a team – we are able to assist with more than just an empty stomach!

  My car is regularly rammed with ‘street’ essentials such as toiletries, footwear, joggers, t-shirts, clean underwear, hoodies, hats, gloves, baby wipes, coats etc. I soon learnt what was needed by the community we support, and whilst it might take me some time to source a specific request, I am definitely the go-to person for a fresh pair of socks on a Sunday!

  I also volunteer for the NHS funded crisis cafes in Lincoln and as a proud ‘crazy cat lady’ and animal lover – I am also a volunteer for StreetVet – a national charity with a local presence that look after our four-legged friends on the streets. I would be happy to give a little insight on the awesome work that these 2 different organisations do at some point in the future.

  As a final note, my motivation for doing volunteering is by no means completely altruistic. Whilst difficult and challenging at times, it is extremely grounding. Every single week I am reminded of how fortunate I am. It has helped me focus on what is genuinely important in life - I no longer ‘sweat the small stuff’!