Volunteering in North Northumberland
“Supporting the people who support our Communities”
Volunteering in North Northumberland is a unique brokerage service set up to support community organisations, groups and charities in identifying and referring potential volunteers who fit the bill.
Many social enterprises, charities and community organisations and support services are continuously seeking enthusiastic, compassionate and caring volunteers to support the ongoing needs of communities.
Recently we have been seeking drivers to pick up recycled food from supermarkets and deliver to Northern Soul Kitchen in order to reduce food waste and support local families, helping Berwick Community Trust deliver food parcels, identifying potential befrienders who are able to chat to isolated members of the community on a regular basis, volunteer support at the Berwick Vaccination Centre, delivering small sacks of logs to isolated residents in villages in North Northumberland for the Northumberland Log Bank and many more.
So……. If you are a Community Group seeking volunteers – get in touch and let us help you identify volunteers who can support your local projects
So ………Looking to volunteer and want to help people, meet new people, learn new skills and support your local communities? Get in touch for an informal discussion of how you can help make a difference.
Call us or send an email for more information
Volunteering in North Northumberland
Project Coordinator – Lynda Swinden
Mobile: 07783 331 549
Telephone: 01289 304141
Email: lyndaswinden.volunteeringnn@gmail.com
Be a part of Making a Difference – You’re going to love it!
Here are some of the current roles – feel free to call or email for more information.
BERWICK – Volunteer roles
Veteran’s WARM HUB Coffee morning – last Wednesday morning in the month
Volunteers required – Ex service personnel who would be interested in supporting this coffee morning, for service veterans. Part of this role would involve setting up the venue, preparing refreshments and having a coffee and a chat with participants, sharing experiences and generally demonstrating good listening skills and an understanding. This would be a small group gathering ideally run by ex-forces members and would take place on a monthly basis (last Wednesday of each month) at the Berwick Voluntary Centre, Tweed Street, Berwick upon Tweed.
If you feel you would be interested in this and can spare a couple of hours a month, possess a caring personality a sense of humour and good listening skills please contact us for further details.
Volunteer Retail Staff – Farplace Animal Rescue
If you have a few hours a week to spare and would like to spend it supporting an amazing Animal Charity – Farplace Animal Rescue are looking for volunteers who would like to work in the shop itself or in the background (lots of different types of support required – utilise some of your skills in creative display, organisational skills, PAT Testing training available) – and many other areas where you can add value to this great charity.
Please feel free to contact us for a chat and further information if you feel you might be able to spare some time to help this organisation.
Volunteer Schedulers required to support Berwick Cancer Cars
You will be taking calls from individuals who need transport to their cancer treatment appointments at a number of hospital facilities in the North East and coordinating with the volunteer drivers in order to put together a workable schedule for all concerned. This can be undertaken from home and a mobile phone and laptop will be provided for the times you are available to volunteer.
Please feel free to contact us for a chat and further information if you feel you might be able to offer some special support for Berwick Cancer Cars.
Berwick Heritage Open Days Volunteers
Many of you may have enjoyed visiting local historic venues and sites during Heritage Open Days (HODS) events in previous years and perhaps this year you might be interested in helping out over the main HODS weekend which is Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September. There will also be a few events over the course of the preceding week (Fri 6th onwards).
Berwick has a proud tradition of opening up its’ historic sites and sharing the town’s rich heritage with visitors and locals alike. They have had the most events running in all of Northumberland and receive national recognition from the national HODS team for the range and quality of their offer and the fact they’re able to reach so many people.
All this can only happen with the support of many wonderful volunteers and if you have an hour or more to spare and would like to get involved we would love to hear from you! Volunteer roles range from preparing info packs through to welcoming people who visit our venues and helping after the event. No specialist knowledge is required, they will ensure everybody has the facts, figures and information you need in advance of the day.
Any amount of time is hugely appreciated please contact us if you would be interested.
The Tweed Salmon Queen Project
The Tweed Salmon Queen Project in Berwick is urgently seeking new volunteers who can support this amazing heritage project on an annual basis.
If you can offer ad hoc support, throughout the year to suit your availability, to assist with fundraising events, promotional activities – maybe identifying locations for events, organising venues, general admin work, assisting at events and in particular supporting the annual Crowning of The Salmon Queen.
If you like the idea of supporting the project there will definitely be a flexible role to suit you and your skills. i.e computer knowledge, admin tasks, designing posters, researching procedures to run events etc.
Interested in finding out more ? Please contact lyndaswinden.volunteeringnn@gmail.com
English Heritage Etal Castle – Volunteer Roles
English Heritage Etal Castle are looking for volunteer support at Etal Castle and have two new roles which you may be interested in.
First of all – a little bit of information (if you don’t already know it):
“In the pretty village of Etal lies the ruins of a small 14th-century castle in what was once a strategic border location. It fell to James IV’s invading Scottish army and was partially destroyed shortly before his defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. A military presence was maintained here until the Union of the Crowns in 1603 when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne. Etal Castle is managed by English Heritage and is visited by many people throughout the year.”
Monitor Volunteer – your role would be to visit the site once a month and generally check the area and report back to English Heritage. You will be actively mobile as there will be some walking around the site and you will be comfortable completing online feedback forms to English Heritage as well as speaking to the general public whilst walking around the area. A key eye for detail would be helpful. The check may take an hour or less /longer if you are enjoying the visit. Full training will be provided.
Tour Guide – your role would be providing a tour around the Castle/site – one day a month (approx. 45 mins to an hour) – this is a brand new role and may develop into more tours or the requirement of more volunteers in the future. Training will be given and the tour information will be provided.
You will be comfortable and confident in speaking to the public, bringing history to life and able to engage with the community and may have an interest in local heritage.
If you are interested in either of these roles and would like to chat in more detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
SEAHOUSES – Volunteer roles June 2024
Volunteer Cook – One day a month (as part of a rota with 3 other cooks) North Sunderland Luncheon Club. An event organised and delivered by a team of volunteers in North Sunderland (Seahouses) – to support individuals who are living alone and provide a social space to interact with others as well as providing a delicious two course lunch for approximately 28 people.
If you are a good home cook and can spare a day a month to support this group please contact us for more information.
Wooler
The Wooler Repair Shop are seeking extra helpful volunteers for this local and exceptional service – please can you help??
The Repair Shop is a joint partnership between Glendale Gateway Trust and Wooler URC and it takes place every other month, on a Saturday at the Cheviot Centre in Wooler.
a. If you enjoy being organised and are successful in organising events etc then please get in touch – the Wooler Repair Shop is seeking a Volunteer Project Manger to oversee volunteers, contact repairers and customers with bookings as well as attending planning meetings. This volunteer role is very flexible to fit around you and your skills – apart from the need to attend the Repair Shop every second month. It’s envisaged that you may spend between 1 – 3 hours a week on the project (maybe less) apart from the half day at the Repair Shop every other month 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Full training and support is available.
b. If you are good at, and enjoy, repairing goods or items then please get in touch. Specifically, if you are a qualified electrical specialist but all skills are welcome.
Volunteers are required to help out at The Repair Shop and interact with customers and make an informed decision on ability to repair products and save them from landfill.
c. Volunteers are also required every other month, between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. to help serve teas and coffees – it’s a vibrant atmosphere and it’s an opportunity to meet new people and have interesting conversations.
Across North Northumberland Area
‘Occasional’ Volunteers required Healthwatch Northumberland
Healthwatch Northumberland – ‘local health and social care champions’ are currently seeking a number of volunteers in North Northumberland to support them at various drop-in sessions and events, interacting with local people and gathering views about their NHS health and social care experiences, good and bad.
The feedback is then analysed and used to influence NHS leaders and other decision makers to make positive changes.
They also offer a number of other services including a signposting service to help people find suitable support from local groups or services.
They hold regular drop-in engagement sessions around the county to chat with the public, usually in venues such as libraries, community centres etc as well as attending health and wellbeing events.
Being a small team, they also have a number of volunteers to support them who join them at various drop-in sessions to talk with the public and would be very interested in talking to people who may be interested in supporting them on a voluntary basis, on an ad hoc basis, around the Wooler, Berwick, Belford and Seahouses areas. You would be accompanying staff to sessions and events and training would be given. There may also be some delivering of leaflets and feedback forms to local NHS services and possibility of undertaking some online entry of feedback from forms if you wanted to explore that route.
You will have a positive and pleasant personality with good communication and listening skills as well as an empathetic manner.
There are no set days, requirements would be on an ad hoc basis as and when events are organised.
Please contact Lynda Swinden at lyndaswinden.volunteeringnn@gmail.com for information and a discussion on potential volunteer roles which may suit you – the volunteer roles are changing constantly so please don’t hesitate to drop me a line and we can chat in more detail.
WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY ABOUT VOLUNTEERING IN NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND…
“When I approached Lynda about volunteering she pointed me in the direction of Northern Soul Kitchen where I have been volunteering 1 day a week since last August. I thoroughly enjoy my day in the café – it has given me the opportunity to meet lots of different people and have also made some friends, which being new to the area has been great. Knowing you are doing something that positively contributes to the local community is hugely fulfilling. Thanks to Lynda I think my skills and interests have be utilised to good effect.”
“You are doing a brilliant job facilitating lots of great volunteering projects.
“I first thought of volunteering locally early this year I looked up local voluntary agencies and found Volunteering in North Northumberland, after contacting you I was offered various options in my area , the role of volunteering was discussed along organisations looking for volunteers , I chose The Gathering in Wooler I now volunteer there on a weekly basis.“
“I found Volunteering in North Northumberland very supportive and informative when making a decision about where to volunteer.”
“As far as the volunteer service is concerned, I would say that I am very happy with the support that I initially received when first finding some volunteer roles to help with in North Northumberland. I discussed several options with Lynda and decided on 2 different roles which fitted in with my time schedule and experience. Lynda keeps in touch with any new opportunities and is always available if I require anything, I am very happy with my volunteer roles.”
“I’m extremely grateful to Lynda and the North Northumberland Voluntary Forum for linking me with a walking group in Berwick supporting people with mental health issues, people who have suffered in other area’s of their lives’ but are now looking to take their first steps back into society, without Lynda’s networking I wouldn’t have been aware of this group.