Volunteer Coordinators Forum – Thursday 19th May 2016

In attendance

Alison Thorp (Chair) – VAR, Sue Butler – SY Fire & Rescue, Leanne Clarke – Active Regen, Joanne Farey – The Rotherham Foundation Trust, Kirsty Fletcher – Lifeline, Tracey Harrison-Marr – Rotherham Hospice, Michael Linney – Active Regen, Katie Mapplebeck – Active Rotherham, Mac McKenney – Rotherham MCVC, Lisa Porter SY Police, Mark Smith – Safe@Last, Emma Vizor – Crisis SY, Janette Walker – NACRO, Kathryn Wild – Age UK Rotherham, Tracy Wright – REMA, Kerry McGrath – VAR, Simon Pugh – The Learning Community, Mark Perry – YWCA Yorkshire, Kim Beresford – SYCIL, Carol Purvis – RMBC, Florence McCready – Pioneer Social Enterprise, Julie Hodgkinson – Rush House.

Apologies

Emma Burley – Connect, Tracey Priestley – RMBC HR, Nicola Bennett – Royal Voluntary Service, Terry Lowell – Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, David Woodward – Rotherham Hockey Club, Rachel Cooling – Red Cross – People and Learning, Laura Wagstaff – CAB, Neil Leatherland – Scout Active Support Unit, Liz Kirwan – NSPCC Child Line SS, Emma Scott – Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Ellie Hill – Yorkshire Cancer Charity, Laura Webb – MHA.

Minutes

Michelle Scholey – VAR.

Agenda

1.  Sign in, Welcome Minutes from the last meeting

Alison Thorp (AT) welcomed everyone to the meeting and accepted the apologies. The notes of the previous meeting were passed around the group. Michelle Scholey (MS) handed out business cards for the SYCIL One in Six Project.

AT updated the group to be aware that Kerry McGrath will be looking after Kitemark submissions on behalf of Julie Adamson.

A banner has been produced to make our purpose clearer, to ‘front’ the walk which will help set the pace for walkers.

Kim Beresford (KB) informed the group that SYCIL have moved premises; the email address remains the same, however the telephone number has changed. KB is to forward the new contact information for SYCIL to AT who will circulate the details.

Emma Vizor (EV) commented in regard to the previous meetings Ask The Oracle. For volunteers who do not have a bank account, CRISIS SY have introduced a scheme to pay volunteer expenses every two weeks.

2.  Level 3 Certificate in Volunteer Management offer

Simon Pugh (SP) from The Learning Community spoke about last year’s VM apprenticeship programme; 60 individuals were trained in SY, of these 20 were from Rotherham. There was a lot of feedback that the course was too demanding and some participants dropped out. The Learning Community have since secured an Awards For All grant to be able to offer a new Level 3 Qualification in Volunteer Management. x14 places available. This would involve approx 2 hours a week work over 4-6 months with flexible support available. Of the 14 there is one place per organisation, further places are £440. To apply please email SP for a form; .

The group enquired if there are any stipulations regarding who is able to apply. SP advised there are no limitations for people who are post graduates or have any other formal qualifications.

One member pointed out that she had a poor experience with her own Volunteer Management qualification; there was not enough support on hand. The member requested assurance from SP that there are enough members of staff to deliver what is promised. Two other members stated that in their individual cases the support was there and a lot of work was completed.

3.  Update on Count Me In 3 2016.

AT advised the group that Volunteers week is extended for 1st June – 12th June.

i)  The big Walk Tues – 7th June 12:30pm-4:30pm

AT passed on a Timeline for the day’s events and asked members for their support in increasing the numbers of volunteers attending the event. The bookings for volunteers and volunteer leaders who are participating; either for part of the event or the full event will need to book on to the walk via survey monkey by 24th May, later bookings will however be considered.

ACTION - MS will update the walk master attendants list via entries on survey monkey. During AT’s absence the group are advised to contact MS with any walk queries; .

A discussion took place re the responsibilities of ‘Group Leaders’ i.e. all volunteer managers attending with a group of volunteers, both before and during the event.

Some members/VM offered to support volunteers attending without a Group Leader inc Emma Vizor (EV) – CRISIS, Kathryn Wild (KW) and Kerry McGrath (KM) - VAR

Please take on board the ‘Arrangements for the Day’ guidelines produced in conjunction with these meetings.

ii)  Small Charities Day – 17th June

(KM) issued flyers in an attempt to encourage members of the VCS and businesses to participate. The event will open doors for businesses to give back to the community. To book on to the event please contact KM; .

iii)  Volunteer Fair – 28th June

KM advised members that the Volunteer Fair will accommodate 12 organisations to promote volunteer role. To book on to the event please contact MS; .

iv)  Town Centre Stalls

KM informed the group that there will be Town Centre Stalls to promote volunteering during Volunteers’ Month. The dates are 21st & 25th June and 1st July.

ACTION – KM will send out the relevant stall information.

v)  Kitemark Panel – Will meet during June

Tracey Harrison-Marr (THM) advised the group to return hard copies of Kitemark applications to KM by 16th June.

vi)  Chief Execs – could you offer a CEO a volunteer opportunity?

AT advised that Julie Adamson is the point of contact for the CEO volunteering; .

4.  Ask The Oracle.

Terry Lowell - Bluebell Wood had suggested an item in March, however was not able to attend today. The group was asked ‘How do we show appreciation to volunteers?’

See separate document ‘How do we show appreciation to volunteers?’ attached with these Minutes.

5.  A.O.B and Future Topics

Also from March – developing peer support groups for volunteers – ideas and experiences in this area. THM would like to add training for people who train volunteers.

6.  Further topics.

Tracy Wright (TW) - REMA informed the group about the Art Bomb project. Pieces are to be completed by 28th June. TW also informed members about the open day 25th May 1.00pm – 7.00pm which will be on Hollowgate in Rotherham. Further information can be found on twitter and Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoveisLouderRotherham twitter.com/lv_is_louder

Rachel Dickenson (RD) is hosting a Community Yarn Bomb Group. The event is every Friday 12.00pm to 2.00pm, at Lifeline Rotherham, Carnson House, 1 Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2EN. Over 18’s are welcome to join for a free afternoon of crafting. Please contact RD telephone number 01709 447700.

The group will meet again Tuesday 12th June 9.00am to 11.00am, hosted by Lifeline at Carson House, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, S60 2EN.

Parking is available at the bottom of Mansfield Road and in the adjacent carpark on Wellgate.

Members are reminded to confirm their attendance.