VOLUNTEER COLUMN: Get involved and make a difference in the community

Community support volunteer – Sussex Victim Support

Victim support is the independent charity for victims of crime.

Volunteers in Littlehampton, the surrounding area and across Sussex give emotional support, information and practical help to people who have been affected by all kinds of crime – from burglary to the murder of a relative.

Following further training and experience, you have the option to broaden the range of cases you deal with to include domestic abuse, young victims and sexual assault.

You will be trained to support victims from the first time you meet them until they feel strong enough to move forward on their own.

You will listen to their concerns and make sure that their needs are met.

You don’t need qualifications or previous experience of this kind of work to volunteer for Victim Support; all you need is the willingness to help and a little time.

Victim Support will reimburse you for expenses incurred in your volunteering role and can help you to develop new skills and give you new opportunities and experiences.

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Treasurer/trustee – Littlehampton Shopmobility

Littlehampton Shopmobility exists to ensure that people with mobility problems enjoy their shopping experience and help to maintain their independent lives.

They provide the hire and sale of wheelchairs and scooters and the sale of items to improve the quality of life of those with disability.

They are looking for a treasurer to join their friendly board of trustees.

You will be required to use the SAGE system, bank monies, attend four to six weekly board meetings with a report on the finances and to attend the AGM with all the relevant paperwork and answer any questions from members as required.

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Befriending buddy – SASBAH (Sussex Association For Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus)

SASBAH’s aim is to allow people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus to lead a full and independent life, linking them with volunteers who help them socialise and enjoy leisure activities such as going out to the cinema, pub or simply having a chat over a coffee.

More Befriending Buddies are required to be matched with people, and this may be on a one-to-one basis or in a group.

They are looking for people with a sense of humour and who are willing to ‘have a go’. Age and sex are unimportant (although many of their members are in their early 30’s).

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Volunteer speaker – Guide Dogs

Do you enjoy talking to people? Maybe you like delivering information to interested individuals? Could you see yourself speaking to a small group of people about the work of a life changing charity?

Guide Dogs is looking for people who would be interested in training to become volunteer speakers for the local mobility team.

This role is vital in helping to spread the message about the services the charity provides and how a guide dog can change a person’s life.

Speakers have the ability to enthuse and encourage others to become involved with the charity either through volunteering themselves, fundraising or perhaps applying for one of their services.

Talks can be given to school groups, uniformed groups (such as Scouts) or adult groups (such as the WI or Rotary).

These talks can be as short as ten minutes, or up to an hour, depending on the group.

• 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/

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