LAUNCH OF SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE VOLUNTEER CENTRES

Warwick District Volunteer Centre and Stratford-on-Avon District Volunteer Centre are both accredited to Volunteering England which is the National Organisation for volunteering.

The Launch of the two Volunteer Centres for South Warwickshire which took place on Wednesday, 26th October at Moreton Hall, Morton Morrell at 2.30 pm. was seen by participants as a great success.

The aim of the Volunteer Centres is to make volunteering more accessible, fun and enjoyable for individuals of all ages. Without volunteers no voluntary organisation would be able to serve our Community.

On this special occasion we were fortunate to have Barrie Palmer, a Shakespearean Actor currently with the RSC, and James Collins, a representative from Volunteering England to launch the Volunteer Centres. At the event, representatives of around 80 voluntary and statutory organisations were joined by dignitaries from across South Warwickshire.

UK Year of the Volunteer 2005

The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has announced that 2005 is UK Year of the Volunteer and the South Warwickshire Volunteer Forum (SWVF) will capitalise on this throughout 2005 by:

Raising awareness of quality volunteering opportunities in SWVF and attracting more volunteers

Acknowledging existing contribution of volunteers

Demonstrating the breadth and diversity of volunteering including within and across communities

Events will be spaced throughout the year and will also be linked, where possible, to the educational/development workshops that SWVF will be holding during 2005. For further details of why you should join SWVF click here

EVENTS:

The year is based on “The Four Seasons”

(Spring)
"Why I Volunteer" Volunteer Recruitment Campaign across South Warwickshire venues (25 April-6 May)

(Summer)
Garden Party for SWVF volunteers – hosted by Myton Hospice in Warwick.

As part of the celebrations for UK Year of the Volunteer, the South Warwickshire Volunteer Forum members are organising a Garden Party to which you and your volunteers are invited.

The event is 6th June and runs from 4.30 to 6.30pm. Vanilla House will be supplying music and Myton Hospice is the venue. Their excellent caterers will be laying on a delicious tea including sandwiches and cakes.

A ready made party for your volunteers with NO HASSLE for you!

Tickets and posters will be produced shortly for you to promote the party amongst your volunteers. If you are interested, please let us know, giving an indication of how many tickets you want. There is a limit of 250 so it's first come first served - get in quick!!!! To order your tickets please contact Mary-Jane Peach at emjay@email.com

(Autumn)
BME event – in October to coincide with Divali and Black History month.

(Winter)
Celebration Ball and Awards Evening to be held on 5 December which is International Volunteers Day

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE DETAILS AS EACH EVENT APPROACHES....

MEDIA CAMPAIGN:

1. Each month we will be highlighting local volunteers (each with a story to tell) click here for the story

2. Production of a Video Diary.

This will record SWVF volunteering during 2005 and will be used for promotional purposes. The Princess Trust have been challenged to complete this task

If you are a member of South Warwickshire Volunteer Forum here is your chance to be featured - just contact Chris Lancaster on 0845 051 1172 or email clancaster@cvswd.org.uk