Take action, volunteer!
At Action 21 we encourage local people to take action and be part of the process of change toward a sustainable society.
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make a difference. Also people who are looking to return to work, or change career can gain new skills and qualifications and build up confidence through volunteering.
Action 21 could not succeed without the commitment and enthusiasm of our volunteers and we believe that helping them realise their potential benefits all concerned.
Read about some of our volunteering opportunities below and also have a look at some of our volunteers and see why they volunteer.
Community Food Projects
There are lots of opportunities to get involved with Action 21's Community Food Projects which are all about growing, cooking and eating healthy food. Much of the project work relates to allotment growing because of the significant environmental and health benefits this has for people but there are a variety of projects to get your teeth into.
Would you like to get involved? Some of the opportunities include:
Children Centre Allotment Volunteer
Volunteers get involved in supporting the delivery of activities for young children and their parents on the Children Centre's Allotment. The Community Food Project Officer organises the activities and volunteers are extremely important to help support this work. There are a variety of tasks to do so if you are interested, just speak to us about what you would like to do. It's a great opportunity to learn more about growing food from an expert. Volunteers are required at the allotment between around 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday afternoons. Do get in touch if you are interested.
Lillington Primary School Garden Volunteer
Work alongside our Community Food Project Officer to help deliver sessions with primary school aged children on their school garden. The children do a variety of different activities which have been designed by our Community Food Project Officer. Volunteers support the work. If you're interested in growing food, education or working with children, this could be an ideal opportunity for you. Currently this opportunity is on Thursday afternoons but do get in touch if you are interested as there may be opportunities at other times.
Lillington Fresh Food Coop Volunteer
Help out with the food cooperative where members of the community get together to buy fresh fruit and veg in bulk. Thursday mornings. Your role may involve all areas of the coop including sharing out the produce and taking members' money for subsequent bags. The produce is as local and seasonal as possible but still with a variety. For £3.50 a bag the Coop members get a nice bag of fresh produce.
One off events...
There are a variety of Community Food events at which we need help. These are at different times of the year with different topics.
Allotment Volunteer Days
More days will be organised in the future...
Wednesday 9th January 2008, 10am - 3.30pm and Wednesday 20th February 2008, 10am - 3.30pm
Volunteers can drop in when is convenient to them.
Volunteers required to help with volunteer days at Action 21's allotment at the Black Lane Allotments near Leamington Spa. The particular allotment at Blacklane is used by young children and their families to engage with and learn about fod production. Various jobs need doing there which includes moving fruit bushes, planting, levelling soil, clearing nettles and other vegetation, constructing beds, constructing wires and supports for bushes and more.
Volunteers will be fully supervised and briefed when on the allotment. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel expenses.
Food is Fun event - It's a Wrap!
Other food events like this one are often being arranged. Do get in touch if you are interested.
Thursday 14th February, 11am - 2pm. Volunteers required between 9am and 3pm. Please see our one-off volunteering opportunities page for more information.
Other food days to come...
Green Champion
Volunteers participate in a training course about effective communication, what services and resources are available locally to help people live their lives more sustainably, the work of Action 21 and about signposting the public to help them live their lives more sustainably. Having completed this training course, volunteers will attend various public events and meetings to engage with the people about sustainability with a particular focus on food, energy, waste and transport. These volunteers will be the face of a ‘green roadshow’. The volunteers will be a network of people to go to events they arrange themselves or that Action 21 gets invited to. For more information, please see the Role Description of a Green Champion.
Do get in touch if you are interested as we will run some more training when we have enough people.
Volunteer Retail Worker
Since January 2006 Action 21 has been running the Recycling Warehouse at Princes Drive Recycle Centre. Under the management of Ben our new shop manager and with the support of a hard working but fun team of volunteers the sales are booming.
Would you like to be part of a fun team of volunteers saving useful things from being thrown away into landfill sites? For more information, please see the Role Description for working in the Recycle Warehouse.
We are offering a creative working environment, training, hours to suit, life skills and qualifications.
Income from the shop is ploughed back into schemes help people and the planet, working in partnership with local charity Bath Place Community Venture.
Please note: A Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Disclosure is required for all individuals who would like to work in the Recycle Warehouse. Action 21 is committed to the fair treatment of ex-offenders. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
NOTE - VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY PARTICULARLY REQUIRED ON FRIDAYS! COULD YOU HELP? July '08
Electrical Equipment Tester
At the Recycle Warehouse, electricals are donated and sold on to raise money for environmental projects in Warwickshire. Before they can be sold to the public, they need to be tested to ensure they comply to legal requirements. As a PA (Portable Appliance) Tester, you will carry out a one day training course to learn how to test electricals for sale and gain a formal qualification. Another training day will be set when we have enough people. You will then test electricals that will be sold at the Recycle Warehouse and get involved in various aspects of the electrical side of the Recycle Warehouse.
Volunteers need to be at least 16 years of age and have a competent level of literacy. For more information about this role, you can have a look at the Role Description.
If you have a passion for recycling and if you would like to get involved, e-mail Michelle Clarke or contact her by telephone on 01926 456076 to arrange an informal chat.
Please note: A Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Disclosure is required for all individuals who would like to work in the Recycle Warehouse. Action 21 is committed to the fair treatment of ex-offenders. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
Bicycle Mechanic
Volunteers help in the bicycle workshop to refurbish bikes to sell to the public. Volunteers can help on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 10am and 4pm. If you have an interest in bicycles and would like to get involved, please do get in touch with us, email Michelle or telephone 01926 456076
Please note: Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) Disclosure is required for all individuals who would like to work in the Recycle Warehouse. Action 21 is committed to the fair treatment of ex-offenders. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.
Acting locally for a better future - Theme Groups
Action 21 theme groups exist to give you the opportunity to take local action about sustainability issues that concern you. Members of each theme group meet regularly and organise and run their own activities. To read more about what each theme group does, click on the following linksTheme group activities are also listed under our Press Releases page.
RELAUNCH OF FOOD GROUP IN MAY '08 - PLEASE SEE THE ACTION 21 DIARY FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Healthy Walk Leader
Do you enjoy walking with other people?
As Volunteer Walk Leader you will lead short walks for health within Warwick District.
It’s up to you how many walks you choose to lead and you can volunteer at times to suit you. The minimum commitment is to lead one walk every three months. No qualifications needed and training provided.
Walk Leader Training will be available locally. Do get in touch if you are interested.
Online Book Sales Coordinator
The Recycle Warehouse has more books than it can sell in the shop. We would like to be able to save more from going in the bin by selling a few books online. Would you like to help with this project? Please get in touch to talk more about this.
One-off volunteering opportunities
We offer a range of other opportunities for you to get involved, tailored around your skills and new projects arising. Have a look at our one off opportunities page. Also watch this space, visit our projects page or give us a call to find out more.
Opportunity: Warwick Cycle Races Volunteer
Role: Volunteer Marshals are required to help with the races at the Warwick Town Centre Cycle Races. The main event will be the final round of the Elite Circuit Race Series, contested by some of the country’s leading professional cycling teams. There will also be a full programme of supporting races, and fun events too. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycleraces
When? Sunday 14th September 2008.
Where? Warwick Town Centre
Commitment: Minimum one hour. The event runs from 11.00am to 6.00pm. Marshals required throughout the event. Refreshments provided.
Opportunity: ‘2008 & Beyond’ Volunteer Group Leader*
Role: Volunteers support a school group around this Education for Sustainability Event. As a Group Leader you will guide the children around their activities, support the activities as required and ensure that the school is looked after and happy.
When? 4th, 5th, 6th June 2008
Where? Coombe Country Park, near Coventry
Commitment: One day
* A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure is required for this role
Opportunity: Peace Festival Volunteer
Role: Volunteers do the litter picking and recycling at the annual Peace Festival event
When? 14th and 15th June 2008
Where? Leamington Town Centre
Commitment: Minimum 2 hours
Please see more information on our Peace festival recycling page
What commitment do you have to make?
We want you volunteer at times that suit you whilst making the best use of the skills and experience you have. So, give us a call and talk to us about what you would like to do.
Equally the length of volunteer placement varies dramatically. Some volunteers, both in shops and theme groups, stay with us for many years. Others only have a short amount of time to offer and move on to other things.
We also have a variety of one off opportunities that you may like to help out with.
What do we offer?
- Training: induction, in-house courses, formal qualifications (eg NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Customer Service).
- Supervision on a regular basis.
- Social events, team building events.
- To reimburse your travel costs - for volunteers using public transport or cycle to get to us on the day when you volunteer.
- References for future employers.
Want to find out more?
For an informal chat about any of these opportunities or getting involved with Action 21, please contact: Michelle Clarke
Volunteer Development Worker
Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa, CV32 5QQ
e: michelle@action21.co.uk
t: 01926 456076