Volunteering

Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). Created in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, QAVS awards have been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups for many years.

Standing Tall match people who have experienced homelessness with a stable, living wage job within local businesses.

Are you keen to support people from diverse backgrounds to take up Board positions? Do you want to bring lived experience expertise around the table? Do you want to make your Board more accessible and inclusive to young people or racialised minorities?

As we know from our State of the VCSE sector research, there are around 75,000 paid staff and 500,000 volunteers working in charities, community groups, faith-based organisations and social enterprises across Greater Manchester. This is a massive workforce of people who are dedicated to doing good in their communities.

This year, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is running a special additional award to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate the fantastic work by national charities and their volunteers to empower young people and provide them with skills and opportunities.

Manchester Volunteer Advice Partnership (MVAP) run 9-week training courses (sessions every Tuesday) teaching you how to give good quality advice on welfare benefits and housing, as well as assertiveness and communication skills. During this training, you will also be placed at either Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN) or Cheetham Hill Advice Centre (CHAC) for half a week day to volunteer as an advice worker.

Manchester Volunteer Advice Partnership (MVAP) are offering three free, Understanding the System workshops, which aim to empower local people to help themselves and each other. You can come to one or all of the workshops, which are split up as follows:

10 May: Housing – Landlord and tenant responsibilities and how to deal with issues, Housing options in Manchester and help with housing costs

In honour of Her Majesty The Queen and the great example she has set in her 70 years of service, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Platinum Champions Awards for volunteers.

Are you a voluntary or community group or a social enterprise in Manchester? Have your say on support services to help you!

Manchester City Council and Manchester Health Care Commissioning have commissioned Forever Consulting to find out what support voluntary and community groups and social enterprises in Manchester need to deliver their work and achieve their goals.