Volunteering in Ashfield
Ashfield Voluntary Action has a wonderful team of volunteers active in our community. Volunteering is a huge part of what we do - half our staff first joined AVA as volunteers, and all have been involved in volunteering at some point in their lives. Not only is volunteering in our name; it is the very foundation of what we do.
We have an amazing team of around 30 active volunteers. During the pandemic we also had an additional 17 Covid Responders (Click HERE for some volunteer profiles to give you an idea of some of the different volunteering opportunities on offer). One positive arising from the pandemic was that people began to appreciate that they could dip in and out of volunteering and that there were many ways that they could become involved. Since the pandemic we have promoted the different face of volunteering. Our volunteers undertake all sorts of work in the community and make a massive difference in people's lives.
Our fantastic team of volunteers are all different and what they do for the community is incredibly varied. There really is a volunteering opportunity for everyone. The one thing they have in common is their outlook and desire to do something to help others.
Click HERE to download information on volunteering through AVA.
One of our volunteers, Silvia, began volunteering with us at the end of March 2021. She was one of our Covid 19 responders and helped with shopping and collecting prescriptions for elderly residents in Kirkby who are isolating due to the virus. Silvia has a family, holds down a full-time job as well as finishing a master’s degree on top of volunteering. Silvia said of volunteering, "I love to keep myself busy and volunteering for you, is a little bit of appreciation for what the elderly people have done for all of us. It’s our turn to help them out, even with little things which often mean the world to them".
Whilst some of our Covid volunteers went back to work after lockdown, some continue to volunteer on a reduced basis, perhpas shopping for one of our vulnerable service users once a week. Even if you have a limited amount of time; this can make a massive difference in people's lives.
Ashfield Voluntary Action acts as a broker for voluntary sector organisations across the District – placing volunteers with suitable opportunities.
Volunteering is a great way of learning new skills, building confidence and meeting new people and it can help them to get a job too. We provide a service which matches volunteers to opportunities and provides support along the way. We also provide a wide-range of volunteering opportunities and make sure that people are able to access the help that they need.
As part of the volunteering process we talk to you to find out a little bit more about your interests, skills and experience. This way we can make sure that the volunteering experience is a good match for you.
We provide a volunteer resource pack and make sure that you can access training if needed.
We do ask for references and for some volunteering positions we will also carry out a DBS (Police) check. This helps us to protect people accessing services, the voluntary and community groups using volunteers, and also the volunteers themselves. This is nothing to worry about and we always deal with potential volunteers with utmost sensitivity and in confidence. Some people do have a past, but this doesn't mean that they can't volunteer. We have an excellent track record of finding people the right volunteering opportunity and supporting them along the way.
We have access to a database of volunteering opportunities and also know our area and the community groups that work within it, so we have a pretty good picture of local volunteering opportunities. We also have a long record of providing an additional layer of support for people who are interested in volunteering but may need a little extra help. We have and continue to support volunteers with learning disabilities, brain injuries, physical disabilities and those wishing to improve their mental wellbeing.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering or talk to us in more detail click HERE to complete a simple enquiry form and register your interest.
