A local conservation charity is using Volunteers’ Week (1st to 7th June) to recruit people who are retired or near retirement to its “blue army” of volunteers. The Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust runs Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts in Torquay; volunteers in their blue uniforms are a familiar sight at both zoos.
At Paignton Zoo 153 volunteers supported 12 departments and donated over 22,000 hours last year. At the much smaller Living Coasts, 37 volunteers tackled 19 different roles and in 2014 gave 5,239 hours – that’s equivalent to 654 working days. In addition, the Whitley...
Some 116 Samaritans volunteers from Exeter, Mid and East Devon branch have answered 47,588 calls, emails and texts for help in the last 12 months.
The figures are being issued to coincide with Volunteers Week from June 1 to June 7, organised to highlight the work of the charity’s volunteers.
Like all Samaritans volunteers across the country these are ordinary people who dedicate time each week to provide a safe space for anyone struggling to cope.
One local volunteer is Sally who, like many, came to Samaritans after a personal experience.
Once again this summer, Exeter will see Ping! table tennis tables springing up in public places around Exeter as part of the National Table Tennis Association’s Ping! initiative.
Active Devon, the local organisers ensured that last year’s event was a runaway success with over 30,000 people from across Exeter enjoying table tennis for free over the summer.
The countdown to this year’s big launch in June is now underway and Active Devon would like some fun loving helPing! hands over the summer.
Those who are interested in a spot of volunteering are invited to enjoy...
Leading local advice charity, Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau is saying a “big thank you” to their volunteers by hosting a cream tea event later in the Summer.
At a time of financial pressures, the invaluable contribution made by volunteers is needed more now than ever.
Volunteers undertake a variety of roles. These include training as advisers and assessors, campaigning on social policy issues, working on Reception, helping out with administration, providing financial capability training courses, and even sitting on the trustee board.
People are asked to meet at the Imperial Recreation Ground slipway in Exmouth at 2.30pm on Saturday 9 May, to spend a couple of hours cleaning up the estuary.
In return for their time, volunteers will be welcomed aboard Stuart Line Cruises for a free cruise of the estuary, including a free buffet and live music from Ace Music jazz band, at 5.30pm.
Exe Estuary Officer, Stephanie Clark, says: "Over the past few years volunteers have made a substantial impact on the health of the globally important Exe Estuary by helping to clear large and often dangerous items of litter that...
Nightstop Devon provides free emergency accommodation for 16-25 year olds who find themselves without a home for the night. We place them with our vetted and trained hosts who have a spare room, and want to help a young person in need.
February was our busiest month in the 13 years we've been running. Our wonderful hosts provided 75 bednights to 12 vulnerable young people.
We've just launched a fundraising campaign called #NIGHTSTOPWARM. To highlight the fact that so many young people are facing a cold night on the streets, we're asking the public (you!) to...
Local charity, Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau, is appealing for volunteers.
The charity, which is based in Dix’s Field, is recruiting new information guides, gateway assessors and advisers.
Information guides meet clients and visitors upon arrival at the bureau and assist with self-help resources. Gateway assessors help clients to identify issues and help with the next steps. Advisers provide clients with generalist advice in both face-to-face and telephone interviews.
Steve Barriball, Exeter CAB Chief Executive said: ‘We are looking for volunteers who enjoy working...
On Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February 2015, from 11am to 3pm, there will be a volunteering open day at Castle Drogo.
The year ahead promises to be a busy one at the castle. From 9 March, the huge five foot wide front door opens to visitors as phase three of the exciting renovation project gets underway. This is the most exciting time in the history of Castle Drogo since its initial construction. After receiving funding in 2012 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Interreg, the project to save this iconic place from the wind and rain began. 2015 marks the start of the final phase of...
The final leg of the Rugby World Cup 2015 volunteer selection events, the Try Outs, concluded in Twickenham yesterday following six months on the road.
The search for the 6,000 volunteers who will make up The Pack launched in February 2014 and England Rugby 2015 was delighted to receive over 20,000 applications. Over 10,000 applicants have since been part of the Try Outs with events held in every Rugby World Cup 2015 Host City. The search for The Pack has spanned 1,320 miles, across 13 venues and included over 3,333 hours of interviews. Prospective volunteers have ranged from age...
This week we pay tribute to the leaders of the 355 voluntary organisations in Exeter that all rely on the dedication, energy and commitment of around 2,000 trustees in order to support their beneficiaries.
Hundreds of events will be taking place this week as charities use Trustees’ Week as a time to thank the one million trustees across England and Wales for their time and dedication.
Trustees are the people ultimately in charge of a charity. They make decisions that help charities achieve their aims and change their beneficiaries’ lives.
