Ready to volunteer?

There’s a whole host of openings across West Berksire

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

Parent Governor

Ref NY2561

A LOCAL education provider supports students unable to access mainstream classes. As many of their learners are only with them for a short time, they have difficulty recruiting a parent governor and are therefore looking for one from the wider community. They are particularly interested in someone who is a parent of school-aged children, primary or secondary. You will be responsible for ensuring clarity of strategic direction, hold executive leaders to account for the organisation’s educational performance and oversee finances, ensuring money is well spent. Meetings are held two or three times a term, in the main on Tuesdays, early evening, in Newbury. You will also need to be able to visit education units for one to two hours once or twice a term.

Treasurer Ref NY2457

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 financial experience and sound financial sense, be familiar with charities and be able to work collaboratively.

Volunteer Therapist

Ref NY2563

ARE you a qualified therapist in acupuncture, reflexology, massage, mindfulness, reiki or yoga? A charity dedicated to empowering people with cancer by providing complementary therapies is recruiting compassionate volunteer therapists. The charity can provide materials and help towards reasonable travel costs.

Volunteers will need to be empathetic and have excellent communication skills. You will need to provide certificates of qualifications and insurance and be a member of a governing body if relevant. Volunteers receive induction and mandatory training. Therapies are offered Mon-Thurs daytime in Stockcross – most volunteers provide three hours on a weekly or twice weekly basis. Yoga and mindfulness therapists usually run a 6-8 week course, virtually or in person, daytime or evening a few times each year.

Sighted Guide Ref NY2418

SIGHT loss can take away independence and confidence. Could you become a guide to help someone with visual impairment learn and practice a route? A goal is set to make sure you and the individual know what they want to achieve – this could be learning a route to the bus stop or train station, navigating the way to a local café or gym, or walking to work or college. You will help someone gain confidence to go out independently.

The role would suit friendly volunteers with patience and empathy. Volunteers do not need experience of sight loss as full training is given so you become a Level 1 Sighted Guide. Time commitment varies but usually 2-3 hours a fortnight.

Information Room Volunteers

Ref NY377

JOIN a dedicated team of trained volunteers who enjoy helping people to find out the right information about medical conditions and other related issues.

Following training, you will join a team in the local hospital signposting patients and visitors to accredited information and useful services.

Ideal if you have good communication skills, a friendly nature and can show a natural empathy to people from time to time who might be distressed, anxious or worried. Good basic IT skills required, but training in specific systems will be provided.

Guide Assistant Leaders

Ref NY1244

VOLUNTEER Girl Guide assistant leaders are being recruited for groups in the Pangbourne area. Help is needed at Rainbow (5-7), Brownie (7-11), Guide (10-14) and Ranger (14-18) groups.

Would suit those with an ability to relate to young people.

Training will be provided.