VOLUNTEER COLUMN: Lots of ways to get involved across the Arun district

A volunteer gardener is required for general gardening within the school grounds.

If you have a warm personality, good sense of humour, are able to talk to small children and have a good understanding of the ethos of the school; as well as good knowledge of gardening and an ability to perform light to medium out-door tasks, this might be the ideal role for you.

You must be over 18 for this role and a DBS check will be required.

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Volunteer events co-ordinator – RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea; they provide, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service.

The RNLI has a network of local fundraising branches organising a wide range of activities and events which last year raised 14 million to save lives at sea.

The Littlehampton branch is currently looking for motivated people to assist with their fundraising initiatives.

As the co-ordinator, you will liaise with the branch to ensure the smooth running of events, taking the lead on venue booking, promotion and associated tasks.

This exciting role will be varied and suit someone who already has, or would like to develop, events planning/management experience.

This is a great opportunity to really make a difference by raising vital funds for the volunteer crew members and lifeguards.

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Workshop presenter – Enable Me Project

Enable Me works in the local area to raise disability awareness in the community and in the workplace, to help improve the lives of disabled people and to provide opportunities for disabled people to fulfil their potential.

They are looking for new volunteers to join them; do you have some free time on your hands?

They need passionate, enthusiastic people with a willingness to learn to work as part of a small team in delivering disability awareness workshops in schools and workplaces.

If you have an inspirational story to tell and would feel comfortable working with children and presenting in a group setting then they’d love to hear from you.

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Self-advocacy group supporter – Impact Initiatives

Impact Initiatives aims to support people with Asperger’s syndrome in West Sussex through setting up and running an Asperger’s syndrome self-advocacy group, enabling members to gain peer support through the sharing of experiences.

A volunteer is required to help support at a monthly general meeting in Barnham which approximately 15 members with Asperger’s attend.

The role would involve: meeting new members who are nervous about joining the group at the train station prior to their first meeting; supporting group members to make conversation with each other, as many members find ‘small talk’ difficult; supporting the group facilitator to deal with difficult dynamics between members should they arise (for example talking to a member of the group that is upset in a quiet area away from the meeting); supporting group members to set up and clear away at the end of the meeting and supporting members to make drinks in the break.

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 www.skillshare-westsussex.org.uk/

• Are you interested in becoming a volunteer but not sure where to start?

Come along to one of our free ‘Introduction to Volunteering’ workshops and be guided through the process of becoming a volunteer; explore what skills you have to offer and what skills you would like to gain; become aware of your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer; and discover what exciting opportunities are available in your area for you to get involved in.

Workshops are in Littlehampton on October 29 and Chichester on November 27. All workshops run from 10am to 1pm.

For more details or to book onto one of the workshops please contact Jenny Rowley or Jenny Holmes on 01243 864220 or email: [email protected]

The RNLI is looking for a new events co-ordinator

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