Sectional Ideas – Volunteering

Aim: To encourage Service to individuals and to the community

Buckinghamshire County Council Duke of Edinburgh’s Award does not approve agencies which may be used for this section of The Award. Participants and parents should satisfy themselves that appropriate safety procedures are followed.

 

Action4Youth

Buckinghamshire based volunteering opportunities, part of national YouthBiz organisation, visit: www.youthbiz.org.uk.

Active Sports Bucks

Opportunities for 16+ to develop as sports leaders. Activities include local coaching courses, sports include athletics, basketball, cricket, girls football, hockey, netball, rugby and swimming. Address: Bucks & Milton Keynes Sports Partnership, AVDC, 66 High Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1SD. Telephone: 01296 585215 or visit www.buckssport.org.

Age Concern

Age Concern Bucks has opportunities for volunteers aged 18+ in care homes to act as advocates – speaking up on behalf of vulnerable older people. Issues vary from food to funding and full training and on-going support is given. Contact Judy Coxford on 01296 431911 or at acb@ageconcernbucks.org.uk.

Air Active Gymnastics Club, Winslow

A club for 0 – 16 year olds. Happy to take volunteers, for more information, please contact Age Concern on 01296 431911.

Autismbucks

Volunteers to assist in High Wycombe & Aylesbury at The Spectrum Club for adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome or higher functioning autism. Activities include: IT, Playstation, Pool & Snooker, Football, Table Tennis, Cooking, Arts & Crafts, Musical Instruments, Cooking, Karaoke & Tuck Shop. For further information, contact Maria Peat at peatmaria@hotmail.com.

Aylesbury Youth Action

AYA enables young people to participate in volunteering opportunities in their local community through a variety of projects that appeal to a wider range of interests. Contact: Queens Park Centre, Queens Park, Aylesbury HP21 7RT. Telephone: 01296 421149. Email: volunteer@aylesburyyouthaction.co.uk or visit: www.aylesburyyouthaction.co.uk.

Bucks Youth Cabinet

The Youth Cabinet is a group which devotes their time to making sure that the voices of young people are heard. Open to 11 – 19 year olds, contact: 01296 382448 or email: byc@buckscc.gov.uk or text 07921 492771 for more information.

Calibre Cassette Library

A charity offering opportunities for service. Provides a postal lending library to people who, for whatever reason, cannot read ordinary print books. Address: Calibre Lending Library, New Road, Aston Clinton HP22 5XQ. Telephone: 01296 432339 or visit www.calibre.org.uk.

Clearly Speaking, Buckingham

A charity that helps children and young people with special needs, providing care and support as well as training and fun activities. Looking for volunteers to anyone aged 14 and above. For more information, www.clearlyspeaking.org.uk or 01280 824871 or email: office@clearlyspeaking.org

Conservation Work

For practical conservation work, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers contact: www2.btcv.org.uk, 01296 330033; www.nationaltrust.org.uk; Wycombe Rangers on 01494 421878, ranger_services@wycombe.gov.uk; Groundwork in the Thames Valley and Colne Valley regional park www.groundwork-tv.org.uk; Buckinghamshire Country Parks on 01753 511060, countryparks@buckscc.gov.uk or sheywood@buckscc.gov.uk.

Desborough Play Den

Desborough Play Den is an inclusive Saturday club for children aged 5-11 years with specialist care for children with special needs. It offers a safe and rewarding environment for local children and much needed respite for their families. We welcome any volunteer over the age of 16 to help in this fun and rewarding club. Morning or afternoon sessions available. Contact Ella on 01494 713994, ellahey21@yahoo.co.uk, or Jenny on 01494 461118, dgjlrooke@btinternet.com

District Youth Cabinets/Youthbank

Do you want to be part of the team giving out money to young people? The role of the cabinets is to look at application forms and decide on how the grant money should be spent. Cabinets meet monthly at local venues. If you are interested and would like more information please call 01296 382448 or email: yourvoicecounts@buckscc.gov.uk

First Aid Training

Join our 16-hour first aid training courses running from the Winslow Open Award Centre (01296 712885) or contact St John ambulance for a similar course, www.sja.org.uk/training or 01296 744370.

Gardening Project

Local residents need you. If you enjoy being outside, meeting new people and can spare some time please get in touch with Samantha at Vale Volunteers on 01296 337456 or 07943 969426 or send an email to gardening@valevolunteers.org.uk.

Hospital Volunteering

You should be over 15 years of age, for further information, contact the following:
Amersham Hospital: 01494 734016
Stoke Mandeville Hospital: 01296 316 676
Wexham Park Hospital: 01753 634 622
Wycombe Hospital: 01494 425 019/425 300

Longridge

An activity centre for young people on the banks of the River Thames. Various volunteering opportunities available, visit: www.longridge-uk.org or 01628 483252.

National Websites for Volunteering Opportunities

Available to all and not restricted to young people, for finding opportunities in your area, visit: www.do-it.org.uk , www.2.btcv.org and www.csv.org.uk.

St John Ambulance

A charity whose aim is to enable people properly trained to save life and give first aid and care wherever needed and to encourage the personal development of young people. Address: County HQ, Tindal Road, Aylesbury HP20 1HR. Telephone: 01296 423886 or email countyhq@bucks.sja.org.uk or visit: www.sja.org.uk.

Vale Volunteers

Information and advice about local opportunities for volunteering and service opportunities from 14 years. Contact: Vale Volunteers, 8a Temple Square, Aylesbury HP20 2QH. Telephone 01296 337456 or visit www.valevolunteers.org.uk.

Waddesdon Manor

Service opportunity for over 16 years of age, for further information contact Liz Wilkinson on 01296 653307 or email: liz.wilkinson@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Well Street Centre, Buckingham

A meeting place for people with disabilities. For more information telephone 01280 823 564.

Wycombe Youth Action

General volunteering opportunities in the area where you live. Visit www.wycombeyouthaction.co.uk for further information.

Youth Parliament

A great way to get your views and issues heard by the people who can make the difference. Members are recruited from local schools, youth centres and voluntary organisations. To be elected, you stand as a candidate and give an elections speech. For further information, please call 01296 382448 or email: yourvoicecounts@buckscc.gov.uk