Richmond Volunteer Centre has provided us with jam-packed itinerary of events taking place during National Volunteers week (1-7 June).

There's plenty for existing volunteers to join in with, support to be had, and advice gained for those perhaps wanting to start volunteering.

There are so many opportunities for volunteer positions in and around Richmond Upon Thames, yet sometimes people don't know where to start, or what particular areas they might like to volunteer in.

Events like these hopefully provide a lot of information on what's available, what skills they could utilise, which areas need the most help. It's an invaluable week for the volunteer sector, and one we should support as much as we can.

So it's not just a case of Buy Local - perhaps we should start a campaign called Volunteer Local as well...

"Volunteers Week 2010 (1 – 7 June) is just around the corner and all of us at Richmond Volunteer Centre are hoping to make it the best yet! Each year more and more people get involved in a range of activities to celebrate volunteering in the Borough. Volunteers' Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of the millions of volunteers who regularly support their community. Did you know that there are 40,000 of them in Richmond Borough alone? The week is also geared to inspire others, fresh to volunteering, to get involved too.
All over the country, people join together in a wide assortment of fun activities, as events take place to increase awareness of the UK’s invaluable volunteers. So here is a taste of what’s happening locally to support national Volunteers’ Week 2010.

Volunteers Recruitment Fair   (Wednesday 2nd June, 1:00pm - 7:00pm at York
House, Twickenham).
 
2010 marks the 6th annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair. This highly successful event has become well established in the voluntary and community calendar. As always, there will be a rich variety of charity and non-profit organisations looking for volunteers. Come and explore the diverse selection of opportunities available which include, Gardening, Office duties , IT support, Befriending, Design, Caring and Conservation work….. to name just a few!
To find out what’s the best volunteering opportunity for you join us on 2nd June…and of course it’s free ! So why not benefit from this unique opportunity to see so many organisations under one roof? No need to register, just drop in!

Volunteers’ Taster Day Calendar of Opportunities.
 
We always like to introduce fresh and dynamic ideas to Volunteers’ Week so this year we are organising a calendar of one off volunteering “taster days.” If you are new to volunteering or are thinking about trying volunteering but don’t know where to start this is just the thing for you. We are delighted to invite you to join in a one-day volunteering experience from a choice of volunteering organisations across the borough. From conservation to arts administration, we are likely to have a volunteering position available to suit your interests. Taster days are designed to give potential volunteers the opportunity to get hands on experience in a volunteering role and then decide if they would like to volunteer on a more regular basis. Fancy that one-off volunteering experience of a lifetime? Now’s your chance!

Volunteers’ Thank you Celebration (Friday 4th June 2.00pm – 4.30pm, Orleans House Gallery & Gardens) 
 
Are you one of the many committed and dedicated volunteers currently giving your free time to help a voluntary or community group in the Borough? We know there are many of you out there and we would like to say a very big THANK YOU. Our Volunteers’ week calendar would not be complete without a special occasion to mark our appreciation of all the hard work you have done over the last year. With this in mind we would like to invite you to attend an informal gathering at Orleans House Gallery to join us for some light refreshments and to meet your fellow volunteers from a wide range of groups across the Borough. This is your chance to relax, put your feet up and enjoy a chat and a cool glass of something by the river
on a lazy summer afternoon. Come on, you know you’re worth it…

“Images of Volunteering” - Capturing the essence of Volunteering
 
Do you have that picture that says a thousand words? We are looking for your images of volunteering in the Borough; pictures that really capture the amazing work that goes on every day of the year. It could be an individual or group photo, composed inside or outside, in rain or shine, just as long as it is a true reflection of volunteering activity in Richmond we would like to see it. As part of our Volunteers’ Week activities we will be showcasing “Images of Volunteering,” at the Orleans House Gallery celebration event on Friday 4th June. If you would like to contribute an image to be included in this display please contact the Volunteer Centre."
 

For further information about any of these activities contact: Michelle Jayman on 020 8255 8500 or email: michellej@richmondcvs.org.uk
 


Silas Van Der Bas

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Silas Van Der Bas is a freelance writer and photographer with The Little White Studio.