vGreenwich

Newsletter out now!

2010-06-30T10:43:00.000+01:00

FIRST ISSUE AVAILABLE TO READ NOW!

If you have anything you would like to add to our forthcoming issues, please email us at: Julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk

Newsletter Update

2010-06-14T11:38:00.003+01:00

This week we are getting onto fixing up a brand spanking new newsletter fit for all our volunteers, with the help of Mediatrust's journalist volunteer Lydia!

Set with a template, some cracking recent projects and our budding media volunteers, the newest edition of our newsletter will be out soon.

If you would like to be invovled with putting together the newsletter, contact us now!

Next Meeting: EDITORIAL MEETING THURS 19th JUNE 6.15PM VCG

Secret Garden Challenge

2010-05-19T12:12:00.002+01:00

The Secret Garden Challenge is next week! Please see the events list below and email me to confirm which day/s you will be there! We also need a volunteer to film the week so if you are interested please let me know

The Challenge will take place between 10 – 4pm Monday 24th May until Friday the 28th and Saturday 29th May.
We are asking people to meet us here at the Volunteer Centre Greenwich at 9:30 to travel over there together or to meet us there at 10am!
The challenge itself is being held at the Greenwich Youth Offending Service, Newhaven Gardens, Eltham, London, SE9 6HQ.

vGreenwich Newsletter

2010-04-26T11:36:00.001+01:00

We will be producing a bi weekly newsletter to give you all our latest news. This will enable you to see what we've done, the future plans, and of course how you can join in!
If anyone has any volunteering related news to share with all our volunteers, followers and those organisations we work closely with, please email Jess at jessvinvolved@googlemail.com .
This is a brilliant opportunity for those budding journalists and media lovers to get some experience in the field. We will hopefully be receiving help from some professionals too, so you'll learn something exciting and new!
Any articles or notes on previous events you've attended/ organised, any events you would like to promote for vGreenwich or other projects your involved with, and any interesting stuff about your experiences volunteering would be amazing contributions!
To get your stuff in our first issue, please send it before Wednesday 28th April!

We are also looking for a columist to take residence in the Greenwich Times- You'd have your photo, and say in every issue!- sound like something your interested in?
Email Julia, Julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk for more info!

DJ Workshop @ the O2

2010-04-20T18:55:00.000+01:00

We are offering you a chance to join our accredited 8 week V DJ workshops at the British Music Experience in the O2 arena starting Wednesday 28th!
Develop your interests in music and learn all the skills set to equip you for a budding performance at a showcase event!
If this sounds like your thing, email us before 23rd Friday, places are limited so get on to it quick!

email now: julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk

Fancy a bit of Paintball?

2010-03-31T16:31:00.000+01:00

vGreenwich Team Paintball

Saturday 24th April 2010

If you've been involved with any of our latest action,we're offering you a chance to join us for a day of paintballing!

We want to gather our most committed members and reward them for all their hard work they've done. It will give everyone a chance to meet each other and of course it will be great fun for all!

There are a limited amount of spaces, and these will be first come first served, so make sure you email Julia as soon as possible to secure your place! We ask for a small contribution of £5- which is truely a bargain if I do say so myself, please talk to Julia if this is amajor problem though.

More details will be available soon, but to book your place email: julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk now!

Why Volunteer?

2010-03-23T13:43:00.002Z

Why indeed?
I've often wondered, what it is that motivates some young people to volunteer, and why to some it just never crosses their minds?
For me, volunteering allows me to do something more productive with my time (which I have a lot of today because work is very quiet!); instead of surfing the net for something useless to speed up time, I can be updating this blog, searching for new opportunities for volunteers and improving my design skills.
I have volunteered for vinvolved Greenwich for over a year now and have found the benefits to be plentiful! Not only have I met people from all walks of life, I have done things I would never thought I would, learned lots of new things and had a great time. I've improved my CV and interview skills loads (it always makes people think twice about hiring you when you can show you have the motivation to work in a team of people, improve your skills and gain experience working).
But its not all about the personal gains, just imagine the small differences we have made all over the place; they are bound to join and make one huge difference eventually (well thats what I believe anyway- every little helps). We may not be able to change the world right now, but I reckon we may have made someones day, week or month by taking time out of our own lives to focus on another.
So why may some people not even consider it?
Well I've been told some just don't have the time or funds to work for free, some say that it is too difficult to find a placement that suits them, and some even have just not found out about it, or know the joys it brings!
If you haven't volunteered before and have come across us, why not consider it; you've found out about it now, it's easy to get involved with this particular volunteering group (just email us and come to the centre), you can choose whatever interests you and cater events and opportunities around them (we, the volunteers, organise, run and attend our own events!) and you can witness for yourself the benefits it may bring! (oh did I mention you can claim back your expenses and can do as much or as little as you want- so don't worry if you haven't got days and days free!)

We all have different motivations for doing this, but if you don't give it a try how can you say its not for you!?
Email us at: Julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk for any more information on how to get involved.

If you would like to learn more about the research into why young people volunteer in Greenwich, contact us at ctvinvolved@gmail.com

Hello vinvolved Greenwich

2010-03-15T15:39:00.004Z

Hey all,
I am very excited about being a part of vinvolved and working with young people who have so much to offer! After being a part of the vinvolved Greenwich team for a week only, I already feel the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers and I have been impressed by their pro-active attitude and their range of creative ideas. I am looking forward to supporting the volunteers with existing projects such as the eBay auction (in partnership with the Friends of Lewisham Hospital and their ‘New to You’ shop) and the intergenerational volunteering with Age Concern, as well as developing new projects.

Over the next coming year I hope to work with the volunteers on continuing to create a diverse range of inspiring and innovative opportunities which enable young people to act on things they care about, as well as addressing local issues. We will work to make these opportunities accessible to all young people and strive to engage those that are currently underrepresented in volunteering. I hope to encourage the continual development of skills through different experiences and through offering a mix of training that will be of interest to everyone.

vinvolved is an inclusive, creative and fun project which allows young people to make a positive impact on their community, develop skills, gain new experiences and make new friends! Importantly, it is a youth led project so it is driven by what young people are passionate about and what is important to them. I am enthused by this volunteer-led approach and I am very happy to be a part of the team. I can’t wait to see what creative projects the vinvolved volunteers have in store for the future…

Julia.

If you are a young person looking to volunteer,
or an organisation thinking about involving volunteers,
please contact us on 02088531331 or email Julia@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk.

Meetings Galore

2010-03-12T10:22:00.000Z

Hey Guys, our new development worker, Julia Water, has joined us at vinvolved Greenwich and is keen to continue the great work we have already done this year, so its not to late to express an interest or do something totally different, just join us at one of the following:

1) Big V event review, Today at 4pm @ Volunteer Centre Greenwich
If you was involved in the great success which was the Big V in the Park then join us today at 4pm to give us your feedback on the days events.

2) Planning Hub meeting, Wednesday the 17th at 3.30pm @ Volunteer Centre Greenwich
Come on down to the centre, we would love to hear about any ideas you may have for future projects! We want to plan the next few events, so if your interested in anything in particular lets do it!

If you can't attend these meetings, do not fear, contact Julia at the vinvovled office: 02088531331, to ask any questions, or to arrange a chat.

Good Bye Matthew

2010-03-04T11:08:00.000Z

Out staying his temporary position by a few months, Matthew Wing has finally taken the final steps towards leaving vGreenwich. Since his arrival last year we have seen a number of volunteering achievements, big events, training positions and amazing opportunities for young people in Greenwich. He has not only assisted us in organising our own events and making a difference in our community but has mentored many of us and given us the new directions that we needed.
We've put on intergenerational, youth, knife crime , marketing and environmental events; provided sports, podcasting, enterprise and media training and given young people opportunities to find new jobs, improve their CVs, meet new people, explore new interests and gain experience.
Matthew has ensured all the important details have been tied up(the boring bits!), handed out our expenses, provided maltesers and refreshments and always motivated and encouraged us to think big and aim high!
Who knows maybe one day Matthew will get that warehouse with all the computers and the load of young volunteers he is always talking about and will change the world like he said he would!
I think everyone will agree that he will be missed, but we still have a lot to think about, a lot more to change and a big difference to make.
We would like to thank Matthew and we look forward to welcoming our new vGreenwich coordinator on 8th March. I know we will continue to work hard and be committed to v in the future!

!New! vinvolved Channel

2010-02-28T20:06:00.002Z

Hey guys,
We're moving with the times down here at vgreenwich and have a brand spanking new youtube channel full of clips from the BIG V event's showcase of DJs and performers!

http://www.youtube.com/user/vInvolvedChannel#p/a/u/2/

!New! Case Studies

2010-02-25T13:37:00.000Z

To read our latest exciting goings on from our volunteers past and present, check out our 'Case Studies' link at the top of the page.

This month you'll find information on Kippa Brand, a former full time volunteer for vGreenwich who has recently landed his dream placement at Rwd Magazine. He has been able to combine his love for music with loads of experience in the media industry thanks to the confidence he has gained through volunteering!

To find out how you could get involved in jornalism and media placements such as this, go to Rwd Mag Online

V Successful Event

2010-02-22T13:33:00.011Z

Wow - When I woke up this morning to the sound of rain lashing down on the roof I'm so please we had such a great day yesterday.

Just wanted to extend my thanks for all the hard work that everyone, yes everyone, put in to make yesterday a success. I cant wait to see the official photo that Robin took from his vantage point, but I'm sure all the hard work getting the volunteers to move "just a step to the right - no not that right!" will have paid off.

The photographer from Greenwich Time went away happy so lets hope we have a good write up.

We also collected £95.00 on the day for Macmillan Cancer Support [another of the Greenwich Mayor's charities] ; this brings the amount we have collected for them to just over £300 since December.

This project continues to grow in stature and that's only down to the ambitious thinking of everyone involved in the planning process however, we also need to think about what we could have done better. So I'm after some comments (just by email) as to 1) What was good. 2) What we could have done better? ; 3) What you didn't like about it?

Please send your thoughts to me - I will collate them (without any names attached) and circulate them at a future vinvolved Planning Hub meeting.

What next? perhaps a BiG X on the moon!!

Matthew Wing (vinvovled Greenwich)

mwvinvovled@googlemail.co.uk

Important Big V Meeting

2010-02-14T10:53:00.005Z

Hi Everyone,

This Tuesday is probably the most important meeting this year! We will need EVERYONE in, especially if you are planning on being a part of the Big V project! We have less than 4 days to complete the planning so it will be all hands on deck this week!
If you can make it in everyday this week that would be amazing but Tuesday's meeting at 2pm is the essential one so please please please come along otherwise you will have no idea what is going on, on Saturday.
As well as coming along on Tuesday for the meeting it is essential to have EVERYONE who wants to be part of the Big V in on Friday Morning at least so we can make sure everything is finalised and people know what they are doing!
Please note that if you do not turn up this week you cannot expect to arrive on Saturday morning and have a role as it would be too late and all roles will be taken therefore come along to the Forum and the meeting for 2pm on Tuesday so you can guarentee your place in this amazing event!
Thanks and I hope to see you all there on Tuesday if not before as well!

Matthew

The Big V in the Park 20th Feb

2010-02-08T09:48:00.004Z

11 DAYS to GO!

Here at vinvolved Greenwich we're counting down the days till the BIG V in Park on 20th Feb. We've got volunteers working around the clock to secure bands, dancers and entertainment for the BIG SHOWCASE after, helpers signing up to steward the biggest human V brought to Greenwich, and people getting excited about being part of something BIG!

With just over a week, we are still desperate for HELP!

To make this a success, we need volunteers to help with publicity and marketing running up to and on the day, stewards to help with the organising of the V (making sure everyone is in the right place- noone wants a wonky V!) and most of all we need MASSES of PEOPLE to be in the V!!

So if you can help in anyway at all email the Big V Project Manager, Steph at: ws831@greenwich.ac.uk or for a list of jobs and info on how you can become a volunteer for vinvolved Greenwich call Matthew at: 077907 57216!

The BIG V is Coming...

2010-01-28T18:29:00.006Z

What do we want to do?
The BIG V in the Park – we want to get as many people along to Greenwich Park on Saturday 20th February and create a human v – hopefully something so big that it can be seen by space. The idea is to get some great pictures and use the event to publicise the work of young volunteers. This sort of event needs careful planning if it’s going to work. Won’t be any good if we only get 10 people, we need thousands!

The v showcase event – the idea is that this will follow on from the BiG v and give young people an opportunity to speak out on volunteering and to get together to celebrate the project. We need to decide if we want music, speeches, dance, food, entertainment, celebrities, presentations, or anything else you might want to make the event something to remember.

How are we going to do it?
Need some members of the team to fill key roles – most important are 2 Project Team Leaders, they will need assistants, & project team members - we need people to help sort out the publicity & start talking to the media about the events, we need people to sort out the locations, others to organise the food, people will also be needed to act as marshals on the day so people know what they have to do.

The more people we get doing things – then the better the events – so what can you do to HELP?

CONTACT US AT: ypproject@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk

12 Days of Christmas: Opportunity Details

2009-12-04T14:30:00.008Z

9th December- An Age Concern Xmas Party
Volunteers will be required to help set up and decorate the local day centre in Greenwich so it is ready for a xmas party fit for the visitors. The role will also involve befriending, entertaining and partying with the elderly people.
We would require people to meet us at the Volunteer Centre Greenwich (Trafalgar Road, Se10 9EQ) at 9.30am to travel together to the centre and will be volunteering till around 4pm.

10th December- Thames Clean up
Clean up part of the Thames foreshore in Woolwich with Waterway Champions. Makesure you wear old clothes and you will be provided with gloves and safety equipment.
Meet at Bell Gate in Woolwich (next to Waterfront Leisure Centre) at 12-3pm.

11th December- Drop In Stall
Volunteers to man a drop in information stall on volunteering. Volunteers will be required to offer support, advice and information on how to get involved in volunteering.
We are also advertising this event to allow any volunteers who want to know more to come along and find out about our project and the volunteer Centre Greenwich.
11-3pm at Greenwich University, Greenwich Campus(Queen Mary Court)

12th December- Fun Raids
Volunteers are needed to do some traditional bucket shaking fundfaising for Mcmillan and Mencap by raiding Greenwich (town centre) in their finest festive costumes.
Fancy dress will not be provided but should be necessary! Buckets, charity information and briefing will be given in the morning.
Meet at Volunteer Centre Greenwich at 10am (to walk to Greenwich together). Should be fundraising till about 3pm!

13th December- Coppicing with the Greenwich Peninsular Urban Ecology Park (situated near the 02)
We will taking part in a practical outdoor woodland management technique called Coppicing, which requires us to cut back the stems of trees to get them ready for the Spring. Great chance for some outdoor work; safety equipment and hot drinks and biscuits will be provided and briefing will be given by the park warden at the start of the day.
Meet at the Volunteer Centre Greenwich at 11am (to travel to the Ecology park together) and go on till 3pm.

14th December- Greetings Card Campaign for Amnesty International
We would like volunteers to join us to take part in Amnesty International's campaign by asking you to pass a bit of hope on to someone this Christmas by making and sending a simple card. We will design and make cards, chose from a selection of cases and send cards to show support. Card materials, envelopes, stamps, information on the Amnesty cases and refreshments will be provided.
Meet at the Volunteer Centre Greenwich at 5pm- 7pm.

16th December- Homeless Shelter 'Fake' Christmas Day
We need volunteers to take part in setting up, entertaining during and clearing up after a 'fake' Christmas Day being held in a homeless shelter in Charlton (as it can not be open on 25th Dec). Roles will include putting up decorations, serving food to homeless visitors, entertaining throughout the party, making visitors feel welcome and helping clear up after. We would love to get any people who have particular talents in music, dance or drama as it would be great to put on performances for the visitors to create some festive fun.
Volunteers would be required to meet at Volunteer Centre Greenwich at 9.30am to travel to the homeless shelter together. This will be an all day event, and volunteers could take part in different times throughout if they can not make the whole day.

CONTACT US AT: ypproject@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk

'12 Days of Christmas Volunteering'

2009-11-25T10:01:00.003Z

Christmas Spirit is at an all time high down at vinvovled Greenwich this week as we launch our '12 Days of Christmas Volunteering' event, offering you 12 volunteering opportunities to get stuck into this December!

Each event is catered for young people 16-25years old and is sure to make you meet new people, learn new skills and make a real difference this Christmas...So what you think? Got a few hours to spare, why not get involved?!

Please contact: ypproject@volunteersgreenwich.co.uk or mwvinvovled@googlemail.com to find out any more information on each individual event!

And makesure you check back for updates of our progress!!

This Week at vinvolved Greenwich...

2009-11-09T11:50:00.003Z

Busy busy down at the project this week! We have planning hubs, research meetings, journalist interest, free training and lots more opportunities!

Planning Hub
Firstly tonight something special is going to begin down at the project at our very own planning hub meeting, we're hoping to get a 100 day work plan going (not too much pressure then!) that will shape the way the project will head far into the next year. Everyone will have their say, we'll hopefulyl have loadsa great ideas and at the end we'll all hopefully know exactly what we want to achieve to make a change in our community!

If you would like to get involved with that its not to late, have a look at the details from this link and we could see you tonight!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=187144989993&ref=ts

Research Meeting
We're going to get underway organising how we are going to undertake this good old research, this means looking for budding resaearchers, interviewers, and anyone looking to help us out down at the project. It's a great way to meet lots of new and interesting people and get their opinions on volunteering. We want to preset the research in exciting ways, using podcasts and video clips so it could be a good way to get into some new media!
Let us know if your interested?

Journalists and Training Galore!
We are hoping to get some press coverage over the next few months, so look out for us in the local papers v's and all! If you're still wondering about some of the free training going on we have DJ traning, Podcasting, WALTZ courses, Football coaching and a few more!
Get in touch to find out more!

Check out our Facebook Fan page for more details on recent goings on:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=10381469571&topic=7227&start=90&hash=6476f3934b47e13877cda55d26cc9e1b#/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Vinvolved-Greenwich/164707828964?ref=ts

New Research Underway- Why do You Volunteer?

2009-11-04T13:02:00.001Z

So, Clare here trying out my first officical Blog post about whats going on down at the ol' Volunteer Centre Greenwich (VCG- where our project is held).

Why do Young People in Greenwich Volunteer?
I've been involved in doing some research for the project looking at why young people might/might not volunteer and the current perceptions and attitudes that young people have of volunteering.

We had a meeting on Monday with the assitant director of VCG, about the prospect of doing this research and how it might help us all get a better insight into how to market volunteering to young people and get more and more invovled!

I'm currently in the process of writing up the notes I have made from case studies and completed research on this area, which have highlighted some interesting points (I'll try get some up here soon) and hopefully we can get some evidence of our own focused in Greenwich soon!

We are keen to create action groups to help get the research going. This will mean composing internet surveys, distributing them, holding disscussion groups and even creating podcasts and visual media to gain peoples views and opinions!

If we have any people who are could help us out it would be amazing, as its proving to be a big job! Give us an email or facebook message!

Keeping In Touch

2009-11-02T12:12:00.002Z

Best ways to keep in touch:

1) FACEBOOK
Join our fan page to keep uptodate with recent events and goings on
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Vinvolved-Greenwich/164707828964?v=wall&ref=ts

2) TWITTER
See who were following and what were interested in at the moment
http://twitter.com/clarevinvolved

3) EMAIL
Email us at: ctvinvolved@gmail.com

NEW BLOG!!

2009-11-02T12:04:00.001Z

Welcome to vinvolved Greenwich's new Blogging spot!

We hope to keep you updated with our latest events, plans, and general exciting stuff going on around the vinvolved Greenwich project!

Keep in touch to get free training dates, information on volunteering opportunities and the gossip on all our successes!

Clare@ Vinvolved Greenwich!