VOLUNTEERING IN ROCHDALE
One of the strengths of our town is the sheer number of people who, unpaid and often unsung, regularly volunteer. I wanted to find out more about volunteering opportunities in Rochdale so I spoke to three different people in the borough about voluntary work. sara, a retired teacher, volunteers in a primary school in the Littleborough area. she began volunteering by telephoning a nearby school and going in for an informal talk with both the headteacher and deputy, telling them all about herself and what she had to offer. The school asked Sara what she wanted to do and they discussed what would be most appropriate and useful, agreeing on mutually convenient days and times for the volunteer sessions. Sara’s main role is working with pupils on their literacy, hearing them read aloud and assisting in the library. However, over time, her role has developed and expanded and Sara has taken part in school trips and special events where an extra adult would be useful. Sara commented that the staff have always been very positive and appreciative. Terry, on the other hand, came to voluntary work through a much different route. This is now his second year of helping on the Growth Project, an initiative set up by Rochdale and District MIND, the mental health charity. Terry was already a keen and skilled amateur gardener so had much to offer the project. The Growth Project has an allotment off Entwisle Road where about two dozen clients are involved in a gardening scheme. Their produce of vegetables
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is shared amongst the growers and also donated to the Rochdale Food Bank. Terry told me that there are a small number of voluntary supervisors who work alongside the clients. As well as the clients gaining useful gardening skills, the Growth Project also helps them with socialising and dealing with their specific issues. Clients and volunteers can work up to 16 hours a week without this affecting any benefit entitlement. MIND also run the Compleat Café at Nye Bevan House. Both Sara and Terry explained how much they themselves benefit from regular volunteering; it gives them a couple of fixed points in their week, they meet new people, gain new skills (or refresh existing ones) and they are helping empower other people. If you are completely new to volunteering, your best bet is to contact Rochdale Council for Voluntary Service (CVSR), a registered charity, which was set up in 1975. CVSR’s mission is “to work with not for profit organisations to enhance the quality of life for Rochdale borough residents by supporting and developing voluntary and community action.” Kelly Dawson, Volunteer Development Officer at CVSR, gave me a fascinating insight into the voluntary sector in the borough. The service has more than 250 different volunteering
opportunities available on their database, ranging from dog walking and charity shop work to speech therapy. Kelly emphasised that the charity’s role is to find out what each volunteer has to offer and wants to do and then match these skills and interests to a specific voluntary role. CVSR will organise the insurance and CRB checks that may be necessary. CVSR can be contacted on (01706) 631291 or by e-mail: info@cvsr.org.uk. Their opening hours are Monday – Friday 9.30am- 1pm and 2pm to 4.30 pm; they close 30 minutes earlier on Fridays. CVSR are now based at the Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP. Give them a call and they will be only too happy to help you take your next step towards becoming a volunteer. richard Lysons