JUNE WHITFIELD TO PRESENT PHOTO PRIZES

Star of stage, screen and TV, June Whitfield, is to present the prizes for Volunteer Centre Merton’s (VCM) photography competition, ‘Merton Volunteers in Action’.  

Hot from filming three specials of ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ for broadcast at Christmas and in the new year, June will present the amazing first prize, the Sony NEX-C3KB, 18-55mm, interchangeable lens, black digital camera, sponsored by Sony Centre in Centre Court, 2^nd: Canon SELPHY ES40 Printer, sponsored by Centre Court Shopping Centre and 3^rd: Motorola MF700 7” Digital Photo Frame, also sponsored by Centre Court.

Contestants have to take a photograph of volunteers at work in the borough, though entrants can come from outside of Merton.   The competition is open to all amateurs, including pictures taken on mobile phones.

The prize giving will be held at Centre Court Shopping Centre at noon on Saturday 14 January 2012.   Entries must be in by 30 November 2011.

The competition, organised by Volunteer Centre Merton to promote Merton’s unsung volunteers, is supported by Centre Court Shopping Centre, Sony Centre in Centre Court, London Borough of Merton and the Wimbledon Guardian.

Organiser, Philip Barrow, said,

“We’re absolutely delighted that June Whitfield is going to present the prizes.   This is the biggest promotion that VCM has undertaken in recent years and we’re determined to put the spotlight on Merton’s volunteers and encourage others to get involved.”

If you want to enter, you can get all the details from VCM’ website: www.volunteercentremerton.org.uk/photo, or call them on 020 8540 7355; email: info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk.

VCM registers around 3,000 volunteers a year and places them with groups and charities throughout the borough, many of whom would not be able to exist without them.   It is Centre Court Shopping Centre’s nominated charity for the year.

For further information please contact:

Sarah Hannigan: sarah@volunteercentremerton.org.uk

or Philip Barrow: philip@volunteercentremerton.org.uk

Telephone: 020 8640 7355

Enter our Fabulous Photography Competition

Capture The Hearts of Merton’s Volunteers and Win One of Three Amazing Prizes

We have teamed up with Centre Court, Sony Centre, Merton Council and the Wimbledon Guardian, to run a creative photography competition: ‘Merton Volunteers in Action’.

All you have to do is enter your picture of volunteers at work in Merton for your chance to win one of these great prizes:

 

1st a top of the range Sony NEX-C3KB camera with 18-55mm lens in black, generously donated by Sony Centre, Wimbledon
2nd a Canon SELPHY ES40 Printer, generously donated by Centre Court, Wimbledon
3rd   a Motorola MF700 7” Digital Photo Frame, also, generously donated by Centre Court

 
The closing date is 30 November 2011.

 
For full details of how to enter and the rules go to www.volunteercentremerton.org.uk/photo or call VCM on 020 8640 7355, email: info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk, to arrange a copy in the post.

Become a 2012 Volunteer Recruiter

Help us to interview London Ambassadors for 2012

On the 9 June 2011, Volunteer Centre Merton (VCM), as one of the ten London recruitment hubs for the 2012 London Ambassadors scheme, will be holding a special information and recruitment session for 2012 Volunteer Recruitment Advisors.    It will take place in Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, between 10.30 – 12.30pm.

VCM needs to find around 50 Volunteer Recruitment Advisors to help with interviewing London Ambassadors.

Registration of London Ambassadors has now closed and there has been a staggering response.  Eighty thousand Ambassadors will welcome visitors from all over the world during the 2012 Olympics. They will be the face of London and tell visitors about the hidden treasures that make London one of the best capital cities in the world.

Volunteer Recruitment Advisors need to be able to commit to a minimum of 2 days over the 2 weeks beginning 25 July and 1 August

For more information about becoming a 2012 Volunteer Recruitment Advisor, or any other queries about the London Ambassadors scheme email Beau at Volunteer Centre Merton: beau@volunteercentremerton.org.uk or call on 020 8640 7355.

Let us know that you are attending here:

http://www.eventbrite.com/tickets-external?eid=1654327137&ref=etckt

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Conference: The Future of Volunteering in Merton

14th April 2011 at The Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3UD

Google Map

Conference Programme

9.15am: Arrival, registration
9.30am: Welcome – Councillor Linda Kirby, London Borough of Merton’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health
9.35am: National Policy – Alan Strickland, Senior Policy and Information Manager, Volunteering England
9.45am: Merton Partnership Review of Volunteering and Volunteering Strategy – Simon Williams, Director of Community and Housing (LBM Lead on Volunteering Strategy)
10.05am: The Impact of volunteering in Merton Andy Norrell, Chief Executive, Volunteer Centre Merton
10.15am: Local examples of volunteering in Merton:

1. Library Service – public sector volunteeringYouth Group
2. Faith Group –  Street Pastors
3. Police – volunteers
4. Supported Volunteering
5. Make Colliers Wood Happy Project

10.50am: Refreshment Break
11.00am: Workshops each session 45 minutes all participants can take part in each:

1. How can we create new roles for volunteers to meet the increasing demands for service delivery in the community, whilst still ensuring that the volunteers’ own needs are met?
2. What are the barriers to increasing volunteering in Merton?  How can we overcome them?  What support is needed by volunteers and volunteer involving organisations?

12.30pm: Plenary session – Speakers panel; any questions
1.00pm: Lunch

If you haven’t already done so, please reserve your place for this free conference as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.    You can do this online here or by email: info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk or ‘phone: 020 8640 7355.

If your group/organisation would like to have a small display at this event please let us know so we can book you a space. Hurry, as there are only a few spaces left!

We look forward to seeing you on what promises to be a very informative day.

Invitation: Thank you event for Intergenerational volunteers

at the Acacia Centre
Monday 4th April
11am – 1pm

RSVP to Ellie:
020 8640 7355, email ellie@volunteercentremerton.org.uk

Tying in nicely with the European Year of Volunteering’s focus on Children & Young People we are hosting an event on 4th April to celebrate those who volunteer in Intergenerational opportunities in Merton. If you are currently volunteering in one of Merton’s Children’s Centres or the Intergenerational Centre come along to the event and receive your volunteering thank you certificate.

Give us your input

We plan to run an increased number of drop in sessions for young people across the borough and would like your input! If you would like us to run a volunteering drop in session in your area/organisation/group then please let us know.

Conference: The Future of Volunteering in Merton

14th April 2011, 9.15am to 1pm, followed by lunch and networking
The Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, CR4 3UD Google Map

Have your say in shaping the Merton Partnership Strategy on Volunteering

The conference will include presentations by:

• Councillor Linda Kirby, London Borough of Merton’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health.
• Alan Strickland, Senior Policy and Information Manager, Volunteering England
• Simon Williams, LBM Director of Community and Housing, who leads on volunteering strategy
• Andy Norrell, Chief Executive, Volunteer Centre Merton.

These will be followed by two discussion workshops.

A plenary session with questions for the panel will be followed by lunch and networking.

Please reserve your place for this free conference by email or ‘phone as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Email:  info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8640 7355

If your group/organisation would like to have a small display at this event please let us know so we can book you a space.

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Ana Corredor, VCM’s New Supported Volunteering Coordinator

A Warm Welcome to Ana

My name is Ana Corredor and I have recently joined Volunteer Centre Merton as the new Supported Volunteering Coordinator. For several years now, I have worked in the mental health arena, notably, adults facing chronic exclusion and severe and enduring mental health issues. I have been based in Merton for the last two and a half years.

My role at VCM will be to oversee the volunteering programmes for people with mental health issues and physical or sensory disabilities of different ages from 16 to 60+. My current goals are to streamline the process for prospective volunteers and create many more placement opportunities. I will be working on these goals with my colleagues from the Supported Volunteering team: Sharon Clark, Azhar Kahn and Sharon Barrett.

I am looking forward to working constructively with volunteers and colleagues from VCM and different agencies, as well as to seeing volunteers develop into their roles. Our goal will be to continue building a successful and strong Supported Volunteering Programme.