Are you a university staff member interested in volunteering? You're definately not alone, and we can help you!
That's right, the Volunteer Centre also helps to place university staff members in volunteer placements. The first step is to drop us an email at volunteers@bath.ac.uk. We can then register you as a member of the Volunteer Centre and send you further information about projects matching your interests to get you on your way!
Name: Cath Haines
Job Title: JobLink Administrator
Department: Students Union
Where are you volunteering and how long have you been volunteering there?
volunteer steward since 2005
FROGS (Frome Recreation and Open Ground Supporters) since 2004
What does this involve?
Merlin Theatre - I am a volunteer steward at the local theatre this involves running the bar, showing people to their seats, running the coffee bar, selling programmes, selling sweets and ice creams and then clearing up when they go home.
FROGS - The idea of the group is to promote the outdoor spaces in Frome and help make them safe and inviting places for people of all ages to enjoy. We make bids for funding and run events/activities for children and their families that are free and inclusive. I am also the treasurer.
What has been the best bit so far?
Merlin Theatre – Getting to see shows/performances for free!
FROGS – Running a riverside event during the Frome Festival that attracted hundreds of families and involved stone carving, story telling and a procession of children carrying the huge FROG they had helped make. Also our yearly Bat, Bird and Bug box making event.
Why did you decide to get involved with your placement?
Merlin Theatre – The Merlin is always looking for stewards so I signed up.
FROGS is a community group a few of us founded as a result of consultation work we had undertaken with the local council on new play equipment in our local park.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can find a friendly tree blindfolded!
Name:
George Charonis
Job Title: VP Education (Sabbatical officer)
What did you study? Physics
Where did you volunteer and for how long? I volunteered in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, for about 20 days from just before the games began to just after they finished. I was at the Athens Hilton, an Olympic Family Hotel, helping out with computing and IT. Although I wasn't out on the pitches or stadiums I still had the opportunity to meet athletes and members of various National Olympic Committees, as well as the International Olympic Committee. It was an amazing experience and something I would most definitely consider doing again (perhaps for London 2012).
Name: Andree Peacock
Job Title: Societies Administrator
Department: Students' Union
Where are you currently volunteering and what does this involve?
I do Witness Service for the Chippenham Magistrates and Swindon Crown and Magistrates. It involves greeting the prosecution witnesses and making them feel comfortable in a waiting room with TV and beverages. I explain the court procedure and what they will have to go through in court. I show them around the court and tell the prosecution barrister that they have arrived. He or she will explain everything to them so they are well primed and then I offer to go into the court with them as moral support.
How long have you been volunteering there?
About 16 months.
What has been the best bit so far?
Really when they appreciate the advice and support you give and justice is seen to be done.
Why did you decide to get involved with your volunteering placement?
A friend of mine is on the Parole Board and she said I would be good in this capacity.
Name: Paul Brooks
Job Title: Transport and Asset Administrator
Department: Union Administration
Where are you currently volunteering and what does this involve?
Scouts: Having been a Leader for over 20 years, they’ve now put me out to grass and I am Chairman and Charity Trustee of the District Executive Committee which is the committee responsible for financing the work of the District. I am also Health and Safety Officer for the camp site. I have recently taken on the additional post of Chairman of the County Appointments Committee, which is the body that checks and appoints adult volunteers in the Scout County of Avon.
Band of the Avon Fire and Rescue Service: As well as playing the trombone, I am Band Secretary, responsible for the administration of the Band management committee and for organising engagements (or “gigs” as we musicians like to call them!)
Paul's Place: This is a charity which runs a social club and a day centre for disabled adults. I am the IT Consultant, which involves sorting out the computers for both the office and for the individual members, usually when M****soft crashes!
How long have you been volunteering there?
Scouts - Since 1979
Band - Since 2008
Paul's Place - Since about 1995
Why did you decide to get involved with your volunteering placement?
I got asked to help originally and just got hooked.
What has been the best bit so far?
All of it, but with all activities, it's that moment when someone does something which they could not do before.
Name Rosie Amos
Job Title International English Language Testing System Administration Assistant
Department English Language Centre, ESML
Where are you volunteering? The Children’s Country Holiday Fund (CCHF)
How long have you been volunteering there? I did my first weekend camp in June and am hoping to do a week-long one this summer and then another weekend camp in the autumn term. It takes a while to get set up so you need to apply early! Applicants have to wait for Criminal Records Checks to come through and then attend a training weekend, which are only scheduled periodically. I applied in March, had my training weekend in May and did my first weekend camp in June.
What did this involve? CCHF run activity breaks for children from inner city London who, for various reasons, wouldn’t usually get the chance to go on holiday. The camps are based at CCHF’s beautiful Stafford House in Hassocks, near Brighton. 24-34 children attend each camp with a staffing ratio of 1 activity volunteer to every four-six children and one group leader.
As an activity volunteer, you are there to supervise and encourage the children in their activities and during their stay, join in with the activities and be a positive role model for them. The activities that the kids get to do include quadbiking, farm visits, trips to the beach, martial arts workshops, kayaking, watching films and more. Volunteers are expected to join in too so it’s really good fun!
On week long camps, volunteers meet the children at the CCHF house in Hassocks. On weekend camps, volunteers meet the children at London Bridge Station and travel down to Hassocks with them on the train.
Why did you decide to get involved with your placement? I think this organisation does great work and I really wanted to become a part of it and contribute in some way. I had been looking for ways to gain experience around children and was interested in working with kids from different social and ethnic backgrounds so becoming a volunteer with CCHF seemed a perfect step.
What has been the best bit so far? Seeing the smiles and laughter that the holidays bring to the children and knowing that you’re part of making it happen.
Do you have any hidden talents? The camps can show you hidden talents you didn’t know about and teach you new ones to develop. Last time I had the chance to go windsurfing, which I’d never tried before but loved!
Name Rosie Amos (again!)
Where were you volunteering? St Phillips Primary school, Odd Down, Bath
How long were you volunteering there? March-July 2009
What did this involve? Being an extra pair of hands in the classroom to help children with their work, helping set up and run simple science experiments, putting up classroom displays, one-to-one reading with the children… The activity depends entirely on which class you are with, which activity they are doing and what you personally have to offer.
What was the best bit? Getting to know the children, seeing them learning/growing up; being a familiar face to them and feeling like you’re part of the school.
Why did you decide to get involved with your placement?I really wanted to do some volunteering with children and to gain an insight into primary school teaching.
Do you have any hidden talents? I can speak Spanish. On one occasion, I was allowed to try my hand at giving the children a mini Spanish taster session.
Name: James Fellows
Job Title: Web and Communications Co-ordinator
Department: Marketing
Where do you volunteer and how often? At the Bath Cats and Dogs Home about once a month.
What does this involve? Walking dogs (not cats)
What has been the best bit so far? The best bit is seeing the dogs relax as they leave the home.
Why did you decide to get involved with your placement? I love dogs and wanted to get some exercise at lunchtime.
Do you have any hidden talents? I can recite the Japanese alphabet backwards whilst mixing a mojito. AND I can actually write Braille.