Welcome to the

Volunteer Centre Bedford's Website

The Volunteer Centre Bedford is your local volunteer development agency covering Bedford Borough and North Central Bedfordshire.

Open: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Location: 43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA

We are a charity and we link people who want to volunteer with organisations needing volunteering help.

We work with a wide range of local charities and "not for profit" organisations, community groups of all sorts, sports clubs and statutory organisations like hospitals and schools.

Whether you wish to volunteer yourself or are part of an organisation needing to recruit volunteers you can find the information you need to get started right here.

Volunteering Recruitment Sessions

Bedford

• Thursday 23 May
• Thursday 30 May
• Thursday 6 June
• Thursday 13 June
• Thursday 20 June
• Thursday 27 June

At Volunteer Centre Bedford, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford

All Drop In's from 10am – 1pm

Why not drop in at the

Volunteer Centre, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford

Chat to Volunteer Centre Staff and we can suggest where you volunteer. YOU tell us what you are interested in and WE will find the perfect opportunity for you.

For more details call 01234 213 100

For details of local volunteering opportunities search via the Do-It Search Box

Biggleswade

Open every
Friday from 10am – 1.30pm at
the Mid Bedfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau Office at Century House, Market Square, Biggleswade

We want to increase the number of volunteers from the Biggleswade area and to do this we need good quality volunteering opportunities from local charities and community groups. Having a base in Biggleswade will be sure to attract more local people who prefer not to travel to Bedford to enquire about volunteering. If you need more volunteers and
need help recruiting, then call us on 01234 213100.

Central Youth Volunteering Project

If you are aged 13-18 (or up to 25 for those with special needs) living in Central Bedfordshire there are a whole range of volunteering opportunities waiting for you under an new initiative from the Volunteer Centre Bedford and Central Bedfordshire Council. Under the project there is also the opportunity to get your volunteering accredited. To find out more visit our Central Youth Project Page

What's New

Pathway To Employment

Working in partnership with Volunteer Centre Bedford, Develop are running a series of CV/Interview workshops to help you:

• Consider the skills gained through volunteering
• Compile a tailored CV for the job you are after
• Run through the Do’s and Don’t’s of an interview, learn about the impact of body language and a few new interview techniques
• Ensure you have a more confident approach to getting into work

So why not book yourself on one of the following workshops:-

Thursday 30th May 12.00 – 2.30

 by contacting either:

Denise Watts at Develop on 01525 408098

or

Volunteer Centre Bedford on 01234 213100

Sports Traider

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

CREATING A WORLD IN WHICH ALL CHILDREN HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF SPORT AND COACHING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND WHERE BARRIERS TO SPORT SUCH AS DISABILITY, EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND ARE ERADICATED

We are currently looking for:-

• Administration Volunteers
• Fundraising Volunteers / Bucket Collectors
• Shop Volunteers
• Event Volunteers

Louise Stafford - Fundraising Manager
Phone: 01234 930045 or 07900 603383
E-mail: lstafford@sportstraider.org.uk
iWebsite: www.sportstraider.org.uk

Carers in Bedfordshire
are looking for a Trustee with
a legal mind.

We are looking for someone with a legal background who can spare one day per calendar month and the odd phonecall.

Contact Bec or Paul on 01234 213100 for more details.

Oakley Rural Day Centre
are looking for someone to put away large heavy chairs and tables.

Tuesday & Wednesday afternoon at 3.00 p.m.

Rate of pay will be £11.00, is takes about 20 minutes each day. (plus travelling expenses if necessary)

If you are interested please give Lynn a ring on 07733227374.

Would you like to support other local Community Organisations?

Community & Voluntary Service (CVS). based in Bedford, are looking to pilot a new service, matching local organisations with specialist volunteers who can offer support and advice using their experience and knowledge.

Perhaps you are a current or former trustee who would like to use the knowledge you have to support other charities and community groups? Or perhaps you have experience running a business which can help a small charity? Are you a professional who would like to use your skills and knowledge to help local groups?

Whether your experience is in fundraising, or developing business plans, or developing policies or book-keeping, if you have a general understanding of the community and voluntary sector and you can spare a few hours a month then we would like to hear from you.

We will be running some induction/training sessions in shortly. For more information contact:
Len Simkins on 01234 360607 or len.simkins@infotrain.co.uk

One Off Volunteering Opportunities

Find out about one off volunteering opportunities with:

• Pride in Bedford - Community Clean Up Days - Various Upcoming dates

Find out more......

Funding

Removing Barriers to Volunteering in Bedford Borough

The aim of this fund is to provide financial support to community groups to help them recruit, retain and train volunteers to work with them in improving the lives of people in Bedford Borough.

The maximum you can apply for is £2,000. There is no
minimum sum. However, awards in excess of £1,500 will be the exception rather than the rule.

Download: Removing Barriers to Volunteering in Bedford Borough Leaflet for full details of what can and cannot be funded.

Visit www.blcf.org.uk/grants to download an application form or contact the Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation on 01767 626457 or at administrator@blcf.org.uk