Volunteering
Volunteers are the vital and amazing people who enable things to happen! Volunteers also benefit from extended friendship groups, better wellbeing and support networks. The Way Forward project could not function without this amazing group of people. Our volunteers are celebrated every quarter with events specifically focused on them. It is a great time to mingle and share stories as well as enjoying the event! Scroll down to find out more and see what areas might interest you.
What’s in it for me?
Giving back to your community – the value of your time. There’s nothing more valuable than giving your time to support your community. Not only will you make a positive impact, but it also comes with a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Volunteering is a fantastic way to make new friends or strengthen existing relationships.
What difference will I make?
Our programme relies on the selfless contributions of our volunteers; in fact, they play an indispensable role in ensuring its success. Without them, we would not be able to function. As a volunteer, you would be valued, receive proper training, rewards for your efforts and become a vital part of our team.
What interests me?
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Events and Activities Volunteers
These volunteers will support the planning, development and delivery of activities including the programme of seasonal events as well as regular programming for monthly activities, art displays and concerts. As well as the induction training, volunteers will receive role specific training relating to events planning, first aid and engaging different audiences.
Events and Activities Volunteers
These volunteers will support the planning, development and delivery of activities including the programme of seasonal events as well as regular programming for monthly activities, art displays and concerts. As well as the induction training, volunteers will receive role specific training relating to events planning, first aid and engaging different audiences.
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Learning Volunteers
These volunteers will support the Heritage Engagement Officer to develop and deliver the schools and family learning programme. They will assist with group visits and deliver talks and tours when required. They will receive safeguarding training for working with young people and learn how to create engaging and accessible educational resources for people with different learning needs.
Learning Volunteers
These volunteers will support the Heritage Engagement Officer to develop and deliver the schools and family learning programme. They will assist with group visits and deliver talks and tours when required. They will receive safeguarding training for working with young people and learn how to create engaging and accessible educational resources for people with different learning needs.
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Heritage and Interpretation Volunteers
These volunteers will support the Historian in Residence and the Heritage Engagement Officer to research the history of the site, develop on site and complementary interpretation. They will work together with the learning volunteers to develop accessible and historically accurate talks, tours and other educational activities and resources. They will receive training in developing accessible interpretation and improving research skills.
Heritage and Interpretation Volunteers
These volunteers will support the Historian in Residence and the Heritage Engagement Officer to research the history of the site, develop on site and complementary interpretation. They will work together with the learning volunteers to develop accessible and historically accurate talks, tours and other educational activities and resources. They will receive training in developing accessible interpretation and improving research skills.
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Wellbeing and Access Volunteers
These volunteers will help staff and the project team to create a welcoming and accessible environment for volunteers and visitors. They will provide support to the wider volunteer team as core members of the mentoring programme, supporting the delivery of the general induction programme and becoming 1-2-1 buddies for new volunteers. These volunteers will also provide support to young people and students participating in the learning and participation programme. They will receive training in mentoring and befriending, effective communication and mental health first aid. Those directly supporting young people are required to undertake a DBS check.
Wellbeing and Access Volunteers
These volunteers will help staff and the project team to create a welcoming and accessible environment for volunteers and visitors. They will provide support to the wider volunteer team as core members of the mentoring programme, supporting the delivery of the general induction programme and becoming 1-2-1 buddies for new volunteers. These volunteers will also provide support to young people and students participating in the learning and participation programme. They will receive training in mentoring and befriending, effective communication and mental health first aid. Those directly supporting young people are required to undertake a DBS check.
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Environmental Volunteers
These volunteers will maintain the outdoor spaces around the church ensuring the space is well kept and safe to use. These volunteers will also support the learning and events volunteers with developing activities that promote environmentally responsible behaviours. They will receive training in site maintenance and carbon literacy and support the Ecologist in Residence with surveying and recording site species.
Environmental Volunteers
These volunteers will maintain the outdoor spaces around the church ensuring the space is well kept and safe to use. These volunteers will also support the learning and events volunteers with developing activities that promote environmentally responsible behaviours. They will receive training in site maintenance and carbon literacy and support the Ecologist in Residence with surveying and recording site species.
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Pop-Up Cafe Volunteers
These volunteers will assist with the running of the community cafe provision at the church, including assisting at events. This role involves coordinating cake making, advising on stock levels and managing sales. Volunteers will receive barista training, using the card machine and delivering good customer service.
Pop-Up Cafe Volunteers
These volunteers will assist with the running of the community cafe provision at the church, including assisting at events. This role involves coordinating cake making, advising on stock levels and managing sales. Volunteers will receive barista training, using the card machine and delivering good customer service.
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Young Volunteers
Specific opportunities will be created with young volunteers in mind. These will primarily be time limited and include work experience, takeover days and community service for nationally organised programmes like D of E. Stebbing Primary School will be a key partner in this area, through their ‘School Community Month’ activities and engagement with the Ecologist in Residence and Historian in Residence. As well as participating in the wider volunteer training programme the Young Volunteers will learn employability, teamwork and problem solving skills as well as enjoy the experience of playing an active part in community life. Further opportunities may develop from the Young People’s learning programme, and this will inform the continued development of the volunteer offer. The opportunities will be flexible and allow for remote volunteering as well as being onsite.
Young Volunteers
Specific opportunities will be created with young volunteers in mind. These will primarily be time limited and include work experience, takeover days and community service for nationally organised programmes like D of E. Stebbing Primary School will be a key partner in this area, through their ‘School Community Month’ activities and engagement with the Ecologist in Residence and Historian in Residence. As well as participating in the wider volunteer training programme the Young Volunteers will learn employability, teamwork and problem solving skills as well as enjoy the experience of playing an active part in community life. Further opportunities may develop from the Young People’s learning programme, and this will inform the continued development of the volunteer offer. The opportunities will be flexible and allow for remote volunteering as well as being onsite.