Event Information
About this event
Join us at our Camden & Islington Summer 2022 Volunteering Fair when we are once again joining forces with our good friends @ Volunteer Centre Islington on Tuesday 14th June, 12.30-2pm online via ZOOM. (You must register here to receive the Zoom link!)
These organisations were scheduled to attend the fair:
Organisations booked to attend the fair:
- Action Tutoring
- Holloway Neighbourhood Group
- FoodCycle
- Coram Beanstalk
- Islington Citizens’ Advice
- Parents Matter @ Family Lives
- The British Museum
- Maths on Toast
- Age UK Camden
- Training Link
SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILED INFO ON ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS AND WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR (IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEERS).
Did you know that volunteering is good for you? Studies show that volunteering can improve and maintain your mental and physical health, and well as helping with the effects of stress, anxiety and low self esteem. And the social contact of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological wellbeing. Good times.
Event Timetable
12.30-12.40 Welcomes and introductions from the hosts. Explanation of the fair and how it will work.
12.40-1pm Brief pitch for volunteers from the ten organisations
Then all organisations recruiting volunteers will be popped into ten different breakout rooms. Volunteers can choose to join them there. Each organisation will deliver a short presentation about the volunteering role(s), the organisation itself and the benefits of volunteering with them. This will be repeated three times (see below for timings). You can choose to attend one breakout room, three different rooms or anything in between.
1-1.20pm Breakout room session 1
1.20-1.40pm Breakout room session 2
1.40-2pm Breakout session 3
2pm Event ends, everyone back in the main room for a very quick reminder of the next steps, and then a brief thank you and goodbye!
Before the fair we will send you the Zoom link as well as the full list of the organisations that will be attending
After the fair all participants will receive a follow-up email detailing how you apply for the roles and / or contact the organisations that attended the fair.
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are only needed for people who want to find out about volunteering in Camden & Islington. If you are a non-profit that wants to recruit volunteers in Camden or Islington at the fair, then get in touch with Sheila @ Volunteer Centre Camden (sheila@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk).
These are the organisations that attended the Camden & Islington Summer 2022 Online Volunteering Fair
1. Action Tutoringa. What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Action Tutoring unlocks the potential of children and young people who are facing disadvantage.We are tackling the attainment gaphead-on by forging partnerships with schools nationwide. Our trained volunteer tutors are empowered to enable pupils to make meaningful academic progress, opening doors to future opportunities.
b. What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
– Volunteer Tutor (English or maths), Action Tutoring partners with primary and secondary schools to deliver tutoring programmes for pupils preparing for their GCSEs (ages 14-16) and SATs (ages 9-11) in English and maths. A ‘programme’ means tutoring one to four pupils for 10-20 sessions during term-time, at the same time each week (generally on weekdays before or after the school day).
As a volunteer, you will be working in a team alongside other volunteer tutors in a programme of your choice. Action Tutoring provides the content, your role is to deliver the tutoring sessions. You will guide pupils to improve their academic ability in your chosen subject and help them work on their study skills. We provide all of our tutors with training, session templates, workbooks, a DBS check, and travel expenses up to £5 per session. You can register your interest here.
c. Why would someone want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
By volunteering as a tutor, you will be supporting disadvantaged children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future, all while developing your own experience! Through tutoring with us our volunteers are able to develop a wealth of transferable skills (interpersonal, organisational, communication) all whilst making a great impact. Action Tutoring volunteers come from a range of different backgrounds and occupations and are aged from 18 to 80! They have the opportunity to directly impact their communities and build intergenerational bonds.
d. How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Apply here and learn more today – https://actiontutoring.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/
You need to be a fluent English speaker, and have achieved B or above at A-Level (or equivalent) in the subject, or a similar subject, you are wishing to tutor. Enthusiasm for learning and the subject you’re tutoring is important. Experience working with young people is helpful but not essential. You’ll need good communication skills, patience, commitment and resilience.
We do review all qualifications and experience and would encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet the exact criteria.
Feel free to look here at what schools we work with near you – https://actiontutoring.org.uk/reacharea/london/
2. Holloway Neighbourhood Group
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Holloway Neighbourhood Group is a warm and welcoming community centre just off Holloway Road. Whether young or old, there are lots of activities going on here that you can get involved in:
- Get fit at one of the online exercise classes suited to your age or needs
- Get creative with our friendly, helpful arts groups
- Join in with one of our support services, such as In-Touch.
The centre is here as a resource for the community, we’d love to hear from you!
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Outreach and Events volunteer – Holloway Neighbourhood Group are running a series of events in Finsbury Park and require volunteers to help set up stalls, talk to residents, and distribute leaflets raising awareness of health and wellbeing events and the Covid-19 vaccine. Find out more here.
Women’s Talk group facilitator – Are you friendly, confident, and interested in people? Group volunteer facilitator’s are needed for Women’s Talk – a friendly group of women that meet weekly to chat and connect at the Old Fire Station. Find out more here.
Handyperson – Holloway Neighbourhood Group need volunteer handypersons to help keep our community centre and our therapy centre safe and in good condition for our service users who visit to learn new skills, reduce social isolation, and improve wellbeing. Find out more here.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
Holloway Neighbourhood Group are based in the Old Fire Station (just off Holloway Road). We are a friendly, welcoming community centre which offers health and wellbeing activities for the local community. Not only will you put your local knowledge and skills to good use supporting your local community; you will be reimbursed for your travel and lunch expenses and make new friends and connections in your local area!
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Find the roles on Simply Connect: Outreach and Events volunteer, Women’s Talk group facilitator, Handyperson
The Holloway Neighbourhood Group website – https://www.hng.org.uk/recruitment.html
or call the Holloway Neighbourhood group on 020 7607 9794
3. FoodCycle
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
We are FoodCycle, and our vision is to make food poverty, loneliness, and food waste a thing of the past for every community. With community dining, week in, week out we feed the hungry and give company to the lonely in our communities; providing delicious meals and great conversation while using food which would otherwise go to waste.
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
At the moment, we are recruiting Cooking and Hosting volunteers.
Cooking volunteer: As a Cooking Volunteer you’ll join the kitchen team to help produce a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food. You’ll contribute to recipe ideas, help with prepping the food, cooking the meal, and of course clearing up afterwards! You’ll be supported by a FoodCycle Project Leader, who will help you to develop your kitchen skills. You don’t need to have any previous experience – you just need to get stuck in! Find out more here.
Hosting Volunteer: As a Hosting Volunteer you’ll be working with the rest of the hosting team to create a warm, welcoming environment for our guests. By serving our guests a free, delicious meal and sharing in conversation, you’ll be helping to reduce hunger and loneliness in your community. You’ll be supported by a FoodCycle Project Leader, who will help you to develop your hosting skills. You don’t need to have any previous experience – you just need to get stuck in! Find out more here.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
When volunteering with FoodCycle, you have the chance to make a real difference in the local community. Whether you sign up as a cooking volunteer and learn a new style of cooking, or a hosting volunteer and help facilitate conversation with the community, you’ll see first-hand the positive impact that a FoodCycle session can have on a community. You can gain valuable skills by volunteering with us, such as teamwork, relationship building, timekeeping and becoming more creative in the kitchen. As well as general volunteering, we offer the opportunity to become a Project Leader, which is a dedicated and senior volunteering role, where you can gain lots of skills to add to your CV, some of these includes Food Safety Level 2, safeguarding training and many more useful courses.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
People can either check our roles on the VAI website: Cooking volunteer and Hosting Volunteer or go directly to our FoodCycle website and sign up there!
4. Coram Beanstalk
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
We are Coram Beanstalk part of the oldest children’s charity in England. Our mission is to make every child a reader, to help children find a love of reading so they have the best chance in life.
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Reading Leaders – We are looking for volunteer Reading Leaders who will be trained in the Coram Beanstalk approach placed in one of our partner schools. Our Reading Helpers work 1:1 with three children ideally twice a week to help them grow a love of reading. Find out more here.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
Our volunteers often say they want to do this to give back to the community and support children. They also say that they do this as it gives them something to look forward to each week as they feel their time is being well spent. It is also helpful for those who are looking at starting a career with children.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
More information and an application form can be found at Become a volunteer reading helper | Coram Beanstalk (beanstalkcharity.org.uk)
5. Islington Citizens’ Advice
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Citizens’ advice trained volunteers and specialist caseworkers can advise Islington residents on a wide range of issues like debt, benefits, housing, employment etc. Our advice is free, confidential, independent, and available to Islington residents.
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Adviceline Assessors— Be the first point of access for Citizens Advice clients when they call our Adviceline for help. Find more information here.
Receptionists, Administrators and Information Assistants – Admin assistants help to make sure the local Citizens Advice runs as smoothly as possible. Some of the duties our receptionists and administrators have are: greet our clients and other visitors, answer the phone and ensure clients know what is happening and how long they have to wait. Find out more here.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
You will gain new skills and experience and do something positive for the community. We train all our Assessors, which helps in developing the skills needed to deliver an excellent level of service to our clients. After completing the Assessor training, if you are able to offer 2 days per week you may also be able to train to be a Generalist Adviser with us.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
On Simply Connect: Adviceline Assessors, Receptionists, Administrators and Information Assistants
6. Parents Matter @ Family Lives
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers, with the aim of ensuring that all parents and families had somewhere to turn before they reached crisis point. We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference, and that has been made all the more vital as a result of the pandemic we are currently living in. We’re here to support families, whatever they’re going through. We believe all families should have access to active support and understanding. And we provide a wide range of support services in areas across England, ranging from support for new parents, or parents experiencing teenage aggression, befriending for vulnerable families, to working with couples in conflict.
Family Lives offers a peer support perinatal wellbeing service called Parents Matter for new and expectant parents living in Camden and/or registered with a Camden GP , that may need additional support, for example those who:
- Have low to moderate mental health problems
- Lack support networks / are socially isolated
- Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Have experienced domestic violence
- Have experienced difficulties with pregnancy, birth, post birth
- Have English as a second language
- Newly arrived immigrants
- Communities least likely to access statutory services
Mission: We build better family lives together
Vision: Families should have access to active support and understanding
Values: Collaborative / Compassionate / Trustworthy
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Title: Perinatal Wellbeing Peer Supporter.
Role: To assist new parents based in Camden, who are in need of support during pregnancy, following birth and/or across the first two years of their baby’s life, whether they are a first-time parents, have additional children as part of a growing family or are making the adjustment to becoming primary carer’s for children they are related to. Peer support volunteers will: build one to one relationship with parents and their families; help parents to find their own strength to build their confidence and skills; enable parents to support their families and achieve their goals.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
The volunteer will be fully supervised, supported and trained.
Volunteering with us benefits:
- Satisfaction in making a real and lasting difference to families who are struggling
- An opportunity to develop experience for CV and references. Family Lives is committed to helping volunteers develop their own learning and development through the project
- Being part of a team. Social support
- Personal development and skills training
- Flexible hours
- Opportunities to meet and interact with a wide range of people and organisations around Camden
- Expenses reimbursed
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Interested? Apply online here: familylives.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
7. The British Museum
a. What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
The British Museum houses eight million objects from different cultures from all over the world, encompassing two million years of human history and culture. The best way to find out more is by visiting our website –https://www.britishmuseum.org/
b. What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Pop up tours
We are recruiting for people to join a small enthusiastic team of volunteers to develop and deliver 10-minute pop up tours for the public. These tours will focus on different parts of the British Museum’s architecture and accompany a temporary exhibition, ‘Greek Revival: simplicity and splendor’
c. Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc
- Make new friends
- Share your passion and enthusiasm
- Learn new skills
- Become part of a supportive team and community
- Access to exclusive events and training for volunteers
- Enjoy the Museum and its collection
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Interested? Get in touch with Jess directly by email.
8. Maths on Toast
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Maths on Toast
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Maths on Toast Volunteer
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
Volunteering with us helps you to develop skills within a community and family setting, we offer support and mentoring to help you to achieve personal development goals and we can provide references if needed.
You will make a huge difference to our charity – your support will enable us to reach more people in the local community and help us to ensure our sessions are well resourced and well delivered.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Interested? Apply via their website here: https://www.mathsontoast.org.uk/volunteering/
9. Age UK Camden
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do)
Age UK Camden provides services and support to older people in the borough of Camden. We help local older people offering activities, befriending, information and support to some of the most vulnerable in the community.
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
Telephone Befriending: A telephone based befriending service which aims to support older isolated Camden residents to stay connected and offer a friendly listening ear to anyone who just needs a chat. This service will match a volunteer with an older person who they call on a regular weekly basis for a chat and a catch up.
Dementia Befriending: Our befriending service can make a difference in so many ways; from helping someone continue with a much-loved hobby, to providing a connection with the local community. Regular social interaction has proven to be beneficial for the wellbeing of those with dementia, and as a volunteer you are matched with someone and make regular weekly visits.
Gadget Clinic Help: Volunteers help older people to learn the basics of a new gadget (phone, PC, laptop, tablet), how to shop online, how to set up an email account or even how to download your favourite games. We run one-to-one gadget support or drop-in sessions in different locations in Camden.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
Volunteering with Age UK Camden, offers people the potential to make a difference in the local community, particularly to older, often isolated people. It is a great way to build confidence, share skills and experiences. Many of our existing volunteers regularly tell us much enjoyment and unexpected learning they get from being around older people.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
Details of all our roles are on our website: www.ageukcamden.org.uk and they are also on VCC online directory.
Anyone interested can also email volunteering@ageukcamden.org.uk
10. Training Link
What is the name of your organisation and its mission (why does it exist, what does it aim to do) TRAINING LINK: We’re a small charity whose aim is to provide free access/support in learning for everyone who needs it, especially for people in the local community.
What is the title of the volunteering role(s) that you are recruiting for and a brief description of that role(s)
ADULT LITERACY PROJECT
Involves working 1 to1 with a learner a couple of hours a week to improve their level of Literacy/English. Is for Second language English speakers, and Native speakers. Can be either face to face or online.
Why someone would want to volunteer with you? What difference will
be made to them, to your organisation and / or the local community. Are there any other benefits to them (such as personal development, alleviating loneliness, something to put on their CV etc)?
Volunteering on this project could really help improve a person’s life chances by improving their ability/confidence in English. For personal development, it’s a good chance for a volunteer to get valuable teaching experience, and would add to your CV.
How can someone apply to volunteer with you and / or find out more info about the role before they apply?
To apply/more info email Chris at admin@traininglink.org.uk … I would then arrange an informal chat and then place the volunteer with someone
