Taken by: Shahenaz Patel

Attendees: Sandra Clarkson, Sarah Randall, Chris Mills, Joanne Gavin, Beverly Brindle, Faith Biddle, Melissa Taylor, Lesley Tyrer, Chris Mills, andJames Walton.

In Attendance: Tony Foster, Heather Potter and Shahenaz Patel.

Agenda Point 1
Welcome and Introduction
Tony Foster welcomed everyone to the meeting. Heather introduced herself and Forum attendees were asked to introduce themselves and briefly explained what they do. / Actions:
Agenda Point 2
Apologies
Apologies as shown below had been received from those unable to attend the Forum.
Julia Hewitt, Pam Jessop, Rebecca Minors, Leanne Labrow, Michelle Todd. / Actions:
Agenda Point 3
Minutes of the last meeting
Minutes of the last Forum meeting - the minutes were accepted as an accurate record.
All agreed with the new formats and layouts of branding of minutes. / Actions:
Agenda Point 4
Preview of the Bolton Volunteer Charter – an opportunity to take a look at the Bolton Volunteer Charter before it is rolled out and to consider ways to disseminate this.
Heather discussed the Charter and mentioned that the feedback comments from the last Forum were taken into account at the Charter Working Group meeting and that the Charter had been updated as a result of this and comments from others. Heather went through the revised changes. Heather invited members to discuss whether they have any ideas to roll out the Charter to best effect.
Members actively took part in the discussion and made suggestions for the roll out of the Charter, including discussing who in the organisation would sign the Charter. Heather thanked Forum attendees for their contribution. / Actions:
Agenda Point 5
‘From the Grass roots up’ – a promotional video about the voluntary and community sector in Bolton
Heather showed the group, the short video ‘From the Grass roots up’ which has been created to showcase and promote the work that the voluntary and community sector does in Bolton, inspiring people to volunteer and also to celebrate the achievements, contributions of our communities and the volunteers who give their time and resources to make Bolton better for everyone.
Heather also asked members to share this inspirational video to their contacts. See link / Actions:
  • Forum attendees to share this video

Agenda Point 6
Volunteers Week 2017 – ‘our ideas, your views’.
Following on from the last Forum, Heather discussed how the Volunteers Week Celebration event is going to take place in June. Bolton CVS is going to arrange the Roadshow in 20 wards in Bolton.
Heather invited members to discuss theme of the event.
Bev from GM Fire and Rescue Services suggested that they have a vehicle that (with planning) could be used in one of the areas. She also mentioned that they have an outfit thatcould be used, a character dog costume, which was good for engaging with the public.
A suggestion was made to connect the celebration event/ roadshow with ward events. (Update – the Market Place has now been confirmed as a venue for Volunteers Week – Saturday 3rd June). / Actions:
Agenda Point 7
Building confidence within our volunteer teams - round-table discussion -Heather Potter, Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator.
Heather carried out a presentation on building confidence within volunteer teams. She then split members into two groups to discuss confidence building within volunteer teams and to share good practice. Members actively participated in discussion and fed back to the whole group. (Comments attached).
Round-table discussions ensued about how we can build confidence within our volunteer teams. This then led onto a discussion about Social Value.
Social Value
Tony from Bolton CAB talked to the Forum about social value and how it could help volunteers and others to increase their socialisation, combat isolation, build their confidence and self-esteem, boost community spirit and also be linked with the health and wellbeing of the society. / Actions:
  • Shahenaz to type the comments and opinions from members.

Agenda Point 8
Any Other Business
  • Bev invited members to GM Fire and Rescue Services event in April orMay 2017.
  • Bolton CVS – Volunteer Centre Bolton has arranged a Why Volunteer ? event at Halliwell UCAN on 6th April 2017. We will be organising more of these workshops in various areas of Bolton. Members suggested that the John Holt Centre, college and Horwich Resource Centre could be possible venues.
/ Actions:

Round table discussion about Building confidence within our volunteer teams – it is widely acknowledged that volunteering can help to build confidence and self- esteem in individuals, however, this round-table discussion will enable us as leaders of volunteers to think about the processes that we may use to help this happen and share good practice in this area - Heather Potter, Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator.

Comments

What is confidence?

  • Believe in your ability
  • Confident and comfortable to show your ability
  • Learning/ calm
  • Self-awareness/ self esteem
  • Belief of knowledge, expectations
  • Quality that turns thoughts into actions

How can we build confidence within our volunteer teams?

  • Build knowledge and skills through training
  • Communication, encourage them, recognise their contribution, compliments about what they do
  • Support, buddy system
  • Rewards to build confidence
  • Appreciation
  • Realistic expectation
  • Looking at bigger picture, socio economic status
  • Keep in touch otherwise they will lose their interest
  • Make them aware what they have done for organisation
  • Feel good factor
  • 121 discussions, journey of volunteering
  • Progress report- first day and after 6 months what they have achieved.
  • Link with other volunteers- create relationship
  • Make volunteering a fun and enjoyable
  • Balance- escapism, sense of purpose, normality in life