Volunteer opportunities

If you could offer your time and skills to help others get in touch

THERE is a host of openings to volunteer in West Berkshire.

Here is the latest selection from Volunteer Centre West Berkshire.

The centre is based at Broadway House, 4-8 The Broadway, Newbury RG14 1BA.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the centre for details or visit the website www.volunteerwestberks. org.uk call (01635) 49004 or email info@vcwb.org.uk

Shop Assistant

Ref NY2556

A FREE pre-loved school uniform service is looking for help in its Newbury shop.

In this role, you will greet customers, assist with finding required sizes, sort and tag donations, fold and bag items making a note of what has been taken, encourage cash or card donations and process card payments.

Items will be folded, tidied and sorted during the shift.

The role would suit friendly volunteers with good communication and customer service skills, and the ability to a manage a busy environment.

Time commitment is four hours a month outside school holidays.

During holidays, it would be up to you how many hours you do but a minimum of one shift weekly.

Shifts are flexible but a minimum of three hours. The role would initially be on Saturdays or occasional Thursday afternoons.

Treasurer Ref NY245

VOLUNTEER Centre West Berkshire provides services for the less able, volunteer recruitment work, advises the charitable sector and runs projects contributing to the local voluntary sector.

After an impressive 17 years, our treasurer is retiring. We now seek a new treasurer to give the board guidance on the charity’s financial standing. Accounts are maintained and payments made by an accounts officer using QuickBooks.

The treasurer advises trustees quarterly and works with our CEO to produce an annual budget and oversee the preparation of the end of year accounts.

Payroll is outsourced. Annual turnover is circa 250,000.

The charity has proper reserves and funding arrangements in place for three years and the accounts are in very good order.

The ideal treasurer will have experience and sound financial sense, be familiar with charities and be able to work collaboratively.

Postal Library Assistant

Ref NY2388

A CHARITY based in Kingsclere provides a free postal library of books with braille, raised tactile pictures and audio guides, providing access to the visual world for blind and partially-sighted children and adults.

Volunteers are being recruited to assist library staff with different aspects of running the service.

Duties may include processing of incoming and outgoing items, selecting choices for various ages of library members, tidying away publications and calling library members on the phone to help with enquiries.

Sessions are about three hours (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm in Kingsclere).

General computer literacy is required; training on the library system will be given.

Volunteers should be comfortable working as a team and individually.

Literacy Mentors

Ref NY769

IF you have an interest in reading then consider joining a Berkshire-based scheme set up to encourage primary school children to discover the love of books.

Volunteers are needed to train as mentors and meet the increasing demand in West Berkshire.

You’ll experience the rewards of watching the children gain confidence as they learn in sessions of reading, talking and playing games.

No special skills are required, just lots of patience, a love of reading and an interest in supporting children.

Ideally volunteers will commit to an hour-and-ahalf twice a week during term time, but once a week will be considered.

Exercise Therapy Assistants

Ref NY1439

MANY disabled people find it difficult to take as much exercise as they want – but a therapy centre in Thatcham is working to solve that problem for disabled people across West Berkshire.

A specialised gym, equipped with powerassisted exercise equipment, is running as a not-for-profit venture.

You could help by joining a small team of volunteers who provide a welcome to people using the centre.

This will include booking them in, showing them round the centre and providing encouragement. Ideal for personable volunteers who are good at making conversation.

Cat Foster Carer

Ref NY2434

Could you help play a vital role in improving the wellbeing of the cats in their care while they wait to be rehomed?

THE local branch of an animal charity is looking for cat-loving volunteers to become volunteer foster carers.

Could you help play a vital role in improving the wellbeing of the cats in their care while they wait to be nd rehomed?

As a fosterer, you would be providing cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their needs, such as feeding, grooming, playing and transporting them to veterinary appointments when required.

Volunteers will need some experience of caring for cats; fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided. For their wellbeing, cats need to be kept in a separate room.