VOLUNTEER COLUMN: Help raise awareness about diabetes in schools

Diabetes UK is looking for volunteers to help raise awareness of diabetes and of their children’s campaign, as part of an exciting new School Speaker Volunteer role, being piloted in the South East. It is aiming to recruit volunteers who have previous experience working with children, either in a voluntary or professional capacity, who will be trained to deliver talks to students and/or teachers in primary and secondary schools. The role is designed to be proactive and flexible. Volunteers will source their own talks in local schools to fit around existing commitments, with the aim of delivering a minimum of one talk every other month. This is a brilliant opportunity for individuals to make a difference in schools and help support the work of Diabetes UK, ensuring children have the right care in schools and that teachers are aware of the symptoms of diabetes. These are new and exciting times for The Donkey Sanctuary’s community Fundraising Team. By joining an existing fundraising group, or helping us to set up a new one, and planning, organising and promoting your fundraising group’s events, you will be making a real difference to donkeys and mules in need worldwide. By joining the team you will be able to see first-hand what is being done to improve the lives of donkeys and mules; you will get to meet new people and have the opportunity to make friends with others with similar interests; and you will find out more about your local community. Ferring Country Centre (FCC) is looking for volunteers to support clients and customers with learning and physical disabilities, as well as the running of the centre itself. Departments where volunteers can help include: Riding Therapy Unit, Cafe, Small Animal Farm, Administration and Fundraising. FCC recognises the value provided by volunteers and aims to ensure their work is enjoyable and rewarding; and volunteers can make a significant contribution to the work of the Centre. All volunteers have a supportive role to a wide variety of individuals. The role complements the work of paid staff; it helps and assists building community links and improving the abilities and self-esteem of FCC’s customers. Volunteers do not need specific experience in social care, but must be committed to FCC’s customer group and help with their development and work-based training. Do you enjoy being with people? Then you will love volunteering in a Save the Children community retail shop. Community shops raise over £8 million each year for Save the Children and also raise vital awareness of their work. Volunteering in one of their shops could involve anything from sorting, sizing, pricing and displaying donations for sale on the shop floor, to helping to create eye-catching window displays, to serving customers on the till. All of these roles are varied and interesting and you’ll be part of a team of fun and professional volunteers who raise money to change the lives of children worldwide. For more information on any of the above roles, please call Volunteer Now! on 01243 864220, or visit www.do-it.org. For bite-sized volunteering of ten days or less please visit http://skillshare-westsussex.org.uk/