Volunteering

We have developed a programme to reward volunteers for the invaluable time given to Volunteer Centre Manchester (VCM) and our partners. We are now asking organisations who host volunteers and who use VCM’s database, the Volunteer Engagement and Recognition App (VERA), to record the number of hours volunteers spend helping out at events and other short/long term opportunities. Once certain milestones have been achieved volunteers will be rewarded accordingly. You, as a volunteer involving organisations, will be asked to verify their involvement by recording their hours on the VERA database.

Thank you to everyone who got involved in celebrating the 30th anniversary of Volunteers’ Week in 2014, it was fantastic to see so many of you recognising the outstanding contribution volunteers make to Manchester. Without your involvement the week would not have been a success.

In 2015 Volunteers’ Week will again take place from the 1-7 June and we want to make it even more special for volunteers in Manchester and to increase your profile during this time, we would like to have a week full of Roadshows, hopefully replicating the success of our events in early 2015.

Since August 1999 Mothers Against Violence (MAV) have supported the inner city communities of Greater Manchester. MAV was birthed at a time when gun violence was at its worst in the inner city community of Manchester. Can you help a worthwhile charity to raise funds?

The bag pack will be on:
Saturday 16 May, 10.30am to 8pm (even if you can give a few hours that would be great) at Asda, Hulme

All volunteers will have an induction when they arrive and can chose how long they stay. People who volunteer for 4 hours will be provided with a snack lunch.

The Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund (HSCVF) provides grants to voluntary sector organisations to:
• Collaborate: deliver a strategic project that plays an effective and integrated role in addressing health, public health and social care needs in conjunction with commissioners
• Innovate: test out a new area of work delivered by their volunteers
• Develop: support the Strategic Vision for Volunteering by investing resources in volunteer support and management systems

Like many other local groups Macc is determined to ensure that it continues to operate in the city and that we meet the current and future needs of the sector as efficiently and effectively as possible. We are currently investigating opportunities to re-locate our offices through the potential transfer of assets from Manchester City Council.

During February 2015 Macc undertook an extensive survey to gather important views and opinions from our members, customers and stakeholders. 266 groups and individuals participated through an online questionnaire, focus groups and interviews.

Manchester Mind is the lead partner in this strong partnership project and is working with 4 other Manchester-based partners (Cheetham Hill Advice Centre, Manchester Refugee Support Network, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and Young Peoples Support Foundation) to deliver an exciting, two-year project providing excellent-quality volunteering opportunities in advice activities across all the organisations.

Organised by Labour councillors, the rally is aimed at voluntary groups, trade unions, churches, charities and individuals who feel Manchester has had a raw deal.

Date & Time: Tuesday 3 February, 5.30pm
Venue: Albert Square, Manchester

Cllr. Pat Karney is inviting everybody from across the voluntary and community sector to join the Labour Councillors at the rally.

The rally is featured in the Manchester Evening News: “Mancunians urged to 'stand-up for democracy' at smartphone rally against government cuts”

Have you volunteered for a sporting event?

If so respondents are required for a research study to ‘Analyse and evaluate the motivation and satisfaction to volunteer for a sporting event’.

The research is for a university dissertation for Manchester Metropolitan University, and it would be much appreciated if you could take a moment of your time to complete the questionnaire to assist in this valuable piece of research.

In January 2015 the Volunteer Centre Manchester Team will be visiting a venue near you (East, North, South and Central Manchester), running Volunteer Fairs to encourage more people to sign up and volunteer with local organisations. We will also be inviting training providers and those organisations who can provide residents with potential job opportunities.

Your organisation is more than welcome to attend more than one of these events, just make sure you register your interest in having a stall/information for each fair separately - below.