News
► Mayor's Hospital Presentation to a Very Special Volunteer!► Causeway Befrienders Awards
► Volunteer Week Huge Success
► Volunteers of the Year 2010
► Betty Calvert Recognised for Dedication
► Volunteers Walk 4 Charity
► WANTED!!!
► Volunteer Small Grants Recipients 2010
► Causeway's Number 1 Volunteer Centre
► N.I.E Energy - Free Insulation for Homes
► Speak Out With Save The Children!
► Mencap Urgently Seek Summer Scheme Volunteers Across N.I
► Causeway Volunteers say Yes to independence
► Age NI Handyvan Service
► Make a difference as a Volunteer Friend
► Emergency CareHow to save a life!
► View news archives
Mayor's Hospital Presentation to a Very Special Volunteer!
One of the nominations received for a volunteer’s award was Rosemary Dunbar, and Rosemary was nominated by her good friend Betty Calvert.
Unfortunately due to a serious illness it was not going to be possible for Rosemary to attend the event in Coleraine.
Undeterred by this, Betty was determined that Rosemary should be presented with her certificate to recognise her courage, determination and dedication to the many charity bashes she helps organise.
Betty therefore organised for the Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Sandy Gilkinson, to travel to Altnagelvin Hospital to present Rosemary with her framed Certificate.
We wish Rosemary a speedy recovery, good health & happiness!
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Causeway Befrienders Awards
On Monday 7 June 2010, CVC hosted an awards ceremony for their umbrella organisation, Causeway Befrienders.
The event was held in The West Bann Developement Centre, and MLA John Dallat presented the certificates.
We would like to thank Margaret McCormack and Jayne Clarke for all their hard work in co-ordinating the Befrienders.
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Volunteer Week Huge Success
This year Causeway Volunteer Centre celebrated volunteers week from 1st - 7th June.
Recognition events were held in Ballymoney, Coleraine and Moyle.
Our thanks go to everyone who helped make this a success, and especially to the volunteers themselves!
WELL DONE AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
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Volunteers of the Year 2010
This year, for the first time, Causeway Volunteer Centre had a joint winner for this award.
Davy & Teresa Boyle were nominated for their work for various charities.
Davy,more commonly known as the Caring Caretaker, has raised over £250,000. Davy told us he could not have done this without the help and support of his wife Teresa. "She is my backbone" he fondly told us.
Davy & Teresa were presented with a crystal clock during a presentation which took part at Coleraine Borough Council as part of the annual celebrations for Volunteers Week.
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Betty Calvert Recognised for Dedication
During this years awards ceremony in Coleraine, Volunteer Betty Calvert received a bouquet of flowers from Marie-Louise McClarey, Manager of CVC.
A former Volunteer of the Year in 2005, Betty still works tirelessly for many charities and is soon to embark on a climb of Mount Snowdon!
As her nomination form suggested, Betty's only problem is that there are not enough hours in the day, days in the week, or weeks in the year!
Keep up the good work Betty!
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Volunteers Walk 4 Charity
On Sunday 6th June 2010 volunteers and staff from Causeway Volunteer Centre joined forces with staff from J.D Wetherspoons, Coleraine in a sponsored walk to raise money for CLIC Sargent.
The weather was glorious with the sun shinning all afternoon.
CLIC Sargent provided all the walkers with ‘T’ shirts and Michael McCartney, Manager of Wetherspoon’s very generously put on a lovely buffet and drinks.
Again we would like to thank all those who took part in the walk, took sponsor sheets, posted in donations, helped organise and support this fantastic event.
A total of £422.00 was raised!
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WANTED!!!
We are looking for volunteer stories.
If you, or someone you know, has a story to tell (funny, sad, poignant etc.) please contact us.
Telephone 028 7035 8285 or by email michelle@causewayvc.org
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Volunteer Small Grants Recipients 2010
This year we saw an unprecedented amount of small groups applying for funding through the CVS grants scheme. A total of 42 application packs were issued and 37 were received.
With demand at an all time high, the panel met on Tuesday 1st June 2010 and the selection criteria was applied. We were extremely happy that we were able to fund 30 of the 37 applications. Grants ranged from £200 - £650.
The following small groups were all successful in this year’s small grants applications:
Road of Hope
Asian Over 50 Club
Age Concern
Coleraine Ulster Scots
Causeway Befrienders
Patchwork
Carnany Youth Club
Hearts of Gold
Causeway Homestart
Good Morning Ballycastle
Articlave Comm Assoc
Crafts With Love
Windyhall C.A
Ballycastle Concern
Phoenix ADHD
Castlerock C.A
Talking Newspaper
Bushmills Residents
Bertie Peacock Youth
Ballybogey C.A
Coleraine 50+ Forum
Windyhall Youth Club
Killowen & Churchlands
Harvest Moon
Castlerock Senior Citizens
Movenis Area C.A
Killowen C.A
Stranocum & District
Glebeside C.A
Windyhall 50+ Club
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Causeway's Number 1 Volunteer Centre
The Volunteer Centre provides a high quality service to volunteers, community and voluntary organisations to enable best value and support for volunteering in the Causeway area.
Our support services include:
Promoting Active Citizenship
Volunteer recruitment
Volunteer support
Research into volunteering opportunities
Child Protection & Vulnerable Adult Protection Training
ACCESS NI checks and Training
Volunteer Policies and procedures
Volunteer Recognition Awards
Employer Supported Volunteering
Public sector volunteering
Private sector volunteering
Regular newsletters
Small Grants
Latest news, features and opportunities on www.causewayvc.org
If you would like further information on any of the above services or are interested in becoming a volunteer, or host organisation, then we would love to hear from you!
Our offices are open Monday - Friday so please call in and speak to Marie-Louise or Michelle.
Alternatively you can contact us by email on info@causewayvc.org
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N.I.E Energy - Free Insulation for Homes
NIE is offering housholders who fall outside the Warm Homes criteria, FREE loft and/or cavity wall insulation for their home, reducing their heating bills.
A full FREE package of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, hot water tank jacket and 4 energy saving lightbulbs is available to the following people:
Single person household with a pension / income less than £18,000 gross OR
Couple or single parent family with an income / pension of less than £25,000 OR
Over 70, irrespective of income
AND
Must be a homeowner of private tenant
Free Insulation is available up to a maximum of £800.
For more information please contact Freephone 0800 512 012 or www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk
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Speak Out With Save The Children!
Save the Children is the world's independent children's charity. We're outraged that millions of children are still denied proper healthcare, food, education and protection. We're working flat out to get every child their rights and we're determined to make further, faster changes. How many? How fast? It's up to you.
Speaking Out is Save the Childrens network of volunteer speakers who bring about dramatic change for children by raising public awareness of our work and inspiring new audiences to support us. Volunteer Speakers deliver engaging, motivating and well informed talks to a variety of audiences across the UK.
As a Volunteer Speaker you will:
* Provide talks on Save the Children within your community
* Respond to requests for talks and also proactively network to create new talk opportunities
* Encourage audiences to support Save the Children in ways that are appropriate to them
* Be familiar with our Speaker resource materials, use the internet to access up-to-date information and be willing to attend updating/training sessions
* Complete a talk feedback form and forward to Save the Children on completion of each talk
* Maintain contact with you local Speaker Co-ordinator and/or Regional Community support staff updating them on any change of personal contact details/audience preferences
In return well give you the support you need:
* All new volunteer speakers receive training on Save the Childrens work, delivering talks, and engaging new supporters
* You will be supported by a volunteer Speaking Out Co-ordinator who has responsibility for the personal support of speakers in their team. Where there is no volunteer co-ordinator, you will be supported by a member of the regional Community Fundraising team
* Well give you great resources to help you with your talks, plus regular up-to-date information on our programme work and fundraising initiatives via a dedicated volunteer website.
Commitment
* Time commitment is flexible. We encourage speakers to undertake as many talks as they feel able to do, aiming for a minimum of 6 talks a year.
For more information contact Hazel on 028 9043 2838
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Mencap Urgently Seek Summer Scheme Volunteers Across N.I
Mencap offers a range of Community Summer Scheme Activity Programs and Projects within local communities across N.I including Ballymena, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Coleraine, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Newry and Omagh!
Generally schemes operate Monday to Friday from 10am until 3pm although the volunteers hours can be flexible.
Volunteers are sought to support staff to ensure that the summer scheme programme of activities can be truly engaging and fun.
If you are enthusiastic, fully of energy and have a willingness to participate in all sorts of fun activities then we want to hear from you!
Contact Marie Louise or Michelle on 028 7035 8285 for more information.
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Causeway Volunteers say Yes to independence
At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Wednesday 10th February in West Bann volunteers and voluntary organisations were informed of a proposed merger for volunteer centres to come under the umbrella of a new organisation Volunteering NI. Causeway Volunteer Centre gave a presentation explaining the benefits of a merger and the benefits of remaining independent.
The benefits of merging were highlighted as regards marketing & corporate image, sustainability, strengthening local services and providing value for money. Concerns were raised about the loss of a valuable local service as Causeway Volunteer Centre has a good reputation in the area. The loss of a local voice and a local committee also caused consternation.
The consensus of opinion saw the losses to Causeway as too many and the members presented voted unanimously against the merger. Causeway Volunteer Centre will remain open for business as an independent centre and will apply to Department of Social Development for 12 months funding this week. Causeway Management Committee thanked everyone for attending and the proceedings were brought to a close.
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Age NI Handyvan Service
AgeNI have a new Handyvan service which is open to the older community in this area. Referrals are welcome from anyone who would like to avail of this service. Products helped with include: smoke detectors, spy holes, door chains, mortice locks, window locks and general checks.
If you are interested please contact C.V.C for a Referral Form.
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Make a difference as a Volunteer Friend
Causeway Befriending Scheme is in its third year and is run by Causeway Volunteer Centre. It offers volunteering opportunities for would-be Befrienders to visit local people with a physical disability and make a difference in their lives.
Marie-Louise McClarey, Manager of Causeway Volunteer Centre says, Befriending is a great service in our local community. We all know neighbours who would welcome a friendly face to call in and visit and check theyre ok. I volunteered as a Befriender and found it very rewarding.
Befrienders are needed to visit people who are physically disabled and are isolated because of their disability. Sometimes people with physical disabilities often lack the opportunities most of us have to make new friends. If their work and leisure lives are restricted then it follows that their chances to meet people are restricted. Friendship can play a large part in staying independent and healthy at home.
The scheme has already made a big impact and difference to people who are housebound, or in residential care through their disability. Our service users are usually referred to us by Social Services, Health Services or other professional bodies.
Could you be a volunteer Befriender?
Would you share some of your time (1 hour per week) with someone who has a physical disability?
For further information please contact Margaret or Jane on 028 7035 8285
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Emergency CareHow to save a life!
Charlie Howes from Emergency Care is offering the following first aid courses for interested groups or individuals.
All courses are delivered in an informal and enjoyable manner and candidates will receive a fully recognised NIHSE certificate which is valid for 3 years.
Charlie can be contacted on:
028 9267 5274 or 07881 795 857
E Mail: charlie45@fsmail.net
Website: emergencycareni.co.uk
4 HOUR LIFE SAVER (MAX STUDENTS 12 PER COURSE) £450
APPOINTED PERSON / FIRST RESPONDER/ REC LEVEL ONE FULL DAY ( MAX 12 ) £650
EMERGENCY COURSE 2 DAY (MAX STUDENTS) £1200
FIRST AID AT WORK 4 DAYS £1900 (INCLUDES EXTERNAL DOCTOR/SENIOR ASSESSOR FEES (MAX 12 )
ADVANCED FIRST AID 2 DAY COURSE £1200
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