When further restrictions on movement and social contact were put in place by the government on Monday, there was no specific advice on how that would affect volunteers, especially those supporting vulnerable beneficiaries. This guidance from Volunteering Matters gives some fantastic tips and advice, as well as a risk assessment template that you can use to document and share how your organisation is taking the best steps to protect Its volunteers and beneficiaries. Read the guidance here.
This study investigates the barriers to physical activity in older adults and the aim is to identify strategies which might help them to be more active. This will build upon our previous findings which indicated that exercise adherence is influenced by exercise history, individual preferences, perceived benefits of exercise, relationships within the group and with the instructor, the location and the elements of the sessions in active older adults. In order to effectively tailor exercise to inactive older adults, further research is needed to understand their specific needs, barriers, and attitude towards exercise.
In this current study, I will ask participants to take part in an interview (45-60 min) at a public place (easily accessible to the participants) or over the phone. I’ve just created a link to an online registration form which is confidential and compliant with GDPR of the university.
The link is: https://lsbu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/inactive-experts Participants can sign up on this link, or via emailing me or calling/texting me.
The outcome of this study will help us to improve the current services and it might help to engage older adults to get more active. Application ends June 14th.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
PhD research student| School of Applied Sciences |
London South Bank University | 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA
t: +44 (0)759 843 2571 | e: szekerez@lsbu.ac.uk
As you may know, LBHF staff are able to volunteer locally for up to 2 days a year to support local organisations in Hammersmith & Fulham. At a recent staff event with the council, Sobus was promoting Comoodle as a vehicle for staff to offer their skills to local organisations – and a number of staff are keen to sign up! For further information, click here.
Shapeshifter Productions, is a performing arts charity based in London. We are in our tenth year of delivering participatory singing workshops called The Smiling Sessions to residential sheltered housing schemes and care homes for the elderly in deprived areas of London. The sessions are delivered by three professional musicians who have many years experience in this field.
We are currently looking for volunteers who would like to gain experience working in adult social care, dementia, occupational therapy or community music, engaging with the elderly during the sessions to help them engage in singing and register weekly attendance. This will also include monitoring and evaluating the impact of music and song on well-being and dementia throughout the project.
Our project encourages people to become more active, and to try new activities in a safe environment. We have found that, through time, the sessions improve people’s; sense of well-being overall, stimulating them into having a happier social life, share experiences and feel more supported.
We ask for a commitment of 2hrs a week for 6 fortnightly sessions if possible. We are currently delivering in the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Rotherhithe, Hammersmith & Fulham and Waltham Forest. We can reimburse travel expenses.
You can also learn more about our work on the website, www.shapeshifter-productions.com
and on this youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA85WFZqxcI&t
Zara Hussain, Social Media and Volunteer Coordinator: T: 0207 018 2927
Carers Network have launched a new project called Carers Cuppa in partnership with Charing Cross Hospital. Each hospital will have a designated “Carers Cuppa” table within the hospital cafés, offering a place to support unpaid carers of the sick and disabled.
Carers Cuppa Volunteers will reach out to hidden carers and highlight that the Carers Cuppa table is designated place to meet other unpaid carers in a similar position, whilst networking with hospital staff to promote the project to patients. The volunteer will also promote our services and facilitate referrals to Carers Network.
For more information,click here.
If you are interested in learning about our Office Volunteer and Dignity Champion opportunities, you can check our website here , or email info@healthwatchcentralwestlondon.org for more details. – register your interest now!
Working with over 70,000 employers across the UK, The Changing Education Group is at the forefront of Work Experience excellence and can support our next generation of talent in accessing leading opportunities. If you’re passionate about bringing the working world to life, get in touch today – click here.
After years of dedication from the current Chair, we are now seeking a new Chair to lead the organisation. At the same time we are presenting a great opportunity for up to two new trustees to join the Board.
Trustees are appointed on a three year basis. Currently we are a diverse board of 8 which includes local residents and trustees from across the voluntary, statutory and private sectors.
The positions
We are currently recruiting three new trustees. We are seeking a new chair to lead Sobus and two trustees with knowledge in the either Contract Law or Property management. All Trustees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to equalities and diversity, and be active contributors to the running of the organisation.
How to Apply
To find out more or to receive the Chair or Trustee job description, please contact Sue Spiller, CEO of Sobus on 020 7952 1230 or email her at sue.spiller@sobus.org.uk
To apply send your CV and a covering letter, including the details of two referees to Sue Spiller.
Changing Education are a national EBP who work with 150 schools and colleges all over the country, with the sole purpose of creating strong links with employers. To join the 65,321 organisations already to have pledged their support click here!
As the clocks go back and autumn sets in, the season of AGMs is almost upon us! Many local groups and organisations hold their Annual General Meetings between October-December, where they present their most recent financial accounts, celebrate their achievements and look ahead to what they hope to do in the future. It is often the time when Trustees are formally nominated, accountants are appointed and where some of the formal processes involved in running our organisations are undertaken. Importantly, AGMs also provide a fantastic opportunity to thank staff, trustees, volunteers and service users for their commitment, hard work and support.
As we all know, volunteers and volunteering are the lifeblood of many local groups and organisations – some of whom are run entirely by unpaid volunteers, and others are dependent on a small volunteer army of committed and dedicated people, often local residents, without whom their services simply couldn’t operate. Volunteer roles span everything, from running organisations (as Trustees or Board Members) and providing back-office support, through to front line services in our offices and out in the community.
How we recruit, support, retain and reward our volunteers is often a tricky business – for organisations of all sizes. The Hammersmith & Fulham Volunteer Centre (www.hfvc.org.uk) is there to help local organisations and match people who are looking for volunteering opportunities with local groups looking for help. NextDoor and Comoodle (see below) can also be a way to find volunteers and for individuals to volunteer to offer their skills. However, retaining the goodwill and continued support from volunteers needs to be considered, particularly if your services are dependent on them. The ways in which we can show volunteers our appreciation is of course endless – from a simple group or individual thank you message, a more public statement of thanks at your AGM and in your annual report, to a Christmas party or annual celebration, or even levering in some freebies from a corporate sponsor – we reap what we sow by showing our volunteers how much we appreciate and value their efforts.
We would love to hear your ideas on how we could individually and jointly celebrate and acknowledge local volunteers. We would like to remind you that volunteer groups can also be nominated for a Queens Award for Volunteering. The deadline each year is in September for awards the following year and further information is available from: www.qavs.culture.gov.uk
Finally – we’d love to help to promote your autumn events and meetings – please email info@sobus.org.uk to have them included in our events calendar and in our next newsletter.
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.