Welcome to the December issue of the Volun-tees Newsletter.

We hope you are all looking forward to a very Happy Christmas and wish you a bright and successful New Year.

While you are having your Christmas break, please take time to check all the volunteering opportunities on our website at look out for information coming soon about all the activities planned forNational Student Volunteering Week, 24-28 February 2014

New Opportunities:

Publicity Officer – MS Society, Teesside Branch To promote awareness about MS and publicise the work of the MS Society and the branch within the community.

Benefits to volunteers: MS Society is a great name to put on your C.V. and boost your future career choices. Develop and learn new skills, such as time managing, team work as well as working independently towards deadlines, which future employers find highly desirable. Training and support provided.

Fundraising Volunteer - MS Society, Teesside Branch Collecting funds during major fundraising events and provide general assistance. An introductory course called 'Welcome Abroad' is open to all branch volunteers. You will receive an induction pack from your branch. Support is available from the branch chair and Local Support Development Officer as well as the communications team at the National Centre.

Newsletter Writer(s) – 4Children To write articles on topics related to families, children and other priorities identified by the Centre. Topics may be suggested by Centre staff and Board members or by volunteers themselves. It has to be fun, informative and child friendly. All articles written by volunteers are submitted to Riverbank Children Centre Manager and our Communications team for review. Riverbank Centre staff members are also available to help generate ideas or provide data if necessary. The amount of time spent on an article varies by the length of the article and by the volunteer’s work preferences.

Volunteer Translator/Interpreter - Foundation Foundation is a charity working with customers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or who have a range of support needs . We urgently need volunteer translators, particularly Polish speakers. Foundation will pay expenses and provide support and any necessary training. Work may be anywhere in the Hambleton area i.e. around Northallerton / Thirsk, and travel will be reimbursed. Assistance may also be given with lifts.

Assistant Explorer Scout Leader - 43rd Middlesbrough Scout Group

We are on the lookout for volunteers to support the delivery of a safe, exciting and stimulating programme for the section, taking into account the needs, interests and abilities of the young people. You will join and help run a very busy and growing Scout Group who enjoy many adventures activities. Explorer Scouts are aged 14-18 years old.

Girlguiding Cleveland Database Volunteer – Teesside University VIP Board

Girlguiding Cleveland would like to add a searchable database to their local website in order to allow volunteer leaders to share the details of activity providers. The database would also provide a key function to support flexible volunteering as it would allow adults with a variety of skills to offer their services to Girlguiding groups.

Presentation:

Working with Offenders – Circles North East

Wednesday 29 January 2014, 1pm-2pm, Clarendon building CL2.10

Spaces limited, booking required. More information at

Events:

Fair Trade Middlesbrough Annual Christmas Pop up Shop - Dundas Arcade, next to Boyes. Gifts, Food, Books, Cards, Decorations etc. from around the World.

Volunteers required to help out in the shop from either 9.30 - 1.30, or 1.00 - 5.00 pm, Mondays to Saturdays, until December 21st. Any time offered appreciated, one or more flexible sessions, or a regular slot. Duties involve stock checking and display and serving customers. (Plan your own Christmas shopping whilst you work!)

Interested? Call Karen on mob:07801 335919

Tees Achieve is holding an Open Day on Tuesday 28th January, 1pm-7pm at

Billingham Community Centre, The Causeway TS23 2DA

Please come and join us, everyone welcome...

You will have the opportunity to meet local organisations who are interested in what a volunteer has to offer.

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out something different to your ‘everyday’ life, and gain new skills and experience which could help lead on to new career options. Come along and get involved in local volunteering opportunities.

Please contact: or tel: 528819/528812 for further information.

Call for AV Festival Volunteers!

Dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic volunteers from across the whole North East region are needed to get involved with all aspects of AV Festival 14.

The Festival features over 10 curated exhibitions and over 50 concerts and film screenings, at venues including mima, Middlesbrough; Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland; Sage Gateshead, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art; Laing Art Gallery, Tyneside Cinema, Star and Shadow Cinema, Castle Keep, the Mining Institute and other places in Newcastle as well as found spaces across the region.

Volunteer roles, include: Festival Guides, Events and Exhibitions helpers, Technical and Installation volunteers, Marketers and Promoters.

You will be expected to attend a number of training sessions between January and March 2014. The volunteer team will operate for the most part throughout March, in the week and primarily at weekends. You must be able to commit to a minimum of 5 shifts during the Festival in March 2014.

To Apply:Please complete the online applicationform Friday 31st January.

Spaces are limited and once we have filled all voluntary positions we will close applications. If you have any questions please contact AV Festival 14 staff, at or call 0191 261 8420.

Calling all men!

Are you feeling the 'Movember’blues?

Throw away your razors on the first of January and get growing your Beard for Butterwick. To register call Steve on 01642 628930 or email

The Riding for the Disabled Association’s Unicorn Centre, MAIN and the Sea Cadetsare all asking for your help to win a share of £10,000 in a second public vote. Visit scroll to the bottom and cast your vote in the poll.

Find more information about volunteering at