Wednesday January 27 , 2010

Introduction

Hi Everyone
We hope you all had a good festive season and have been fun in all the snow [here at v team towers we made some amazing snowmen & women !]  Welcome to the 6th e-newsletter from the vinvolved Oxfordshire team which we are sending out monthly to all our volunteers (& to all of you that have yet to start something). This is to keep you updated with what’s happening with us, and to inform you of some of the great opportunities we have on our system and to encourage you to get volunteering! Enjoy!
 

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Meet the team

Each month we will profile one member of the team for you to find out a little more about us, each of us will answer the same 10 questions This month.... introducing JENN

1. Who are you & what do you do?
My name is Jenn and I am the Assistant Youth Volunteer Adviser for the Oxfordshire Vinvolved Team. I do lots of behind the scenes stuff mainly involving the dreaded Vbase and anything to help the team run smoothly! I also help out with at events such as volunteer and freshers fairs!

2. Describe yourself in 3 words
I love sweets.

3. Who was your hero as a child

Elizabeth I. When I was about 8 and learning about the Tudors I was blown away by how strong she was and always wanted to be just like her. And she wore awesome dresses.
And my mum, same reasons as above, although she doesn’t really wear dresses, she always looks beautiful to me!
 

4. What do you like most about your job? Any bad bits

I love being able to get involved in creative stuff like designing flyers and helping to organise events like the celebration event that is coming up in March. And it’s great to get out and meet people at freshers events. I also like being organised and making To-do lists. The bad bit is I have a lot of To-do lists!!

5. What’s your claim to fame? Hmmmm.
I took my husband to Lapland in January as a belated Christmas pressie and the little boy who plays Simon Barlow from Corination Street was staying in the cabin next door with his mum and dad. He was the cleverist 8 year old I have ever met!

6. What have you learnt from volunteering?
The reward of knowing you are doing something to help a cause is the best feeling in the world, and far better than simply getting a pay cheque! The skills you learn and people you meet can go way beyond exam results and can open more doors than you realize… Plus it’s really fun and no matter what you’re interested in, I bet the Ox V team can find it for you!

7. If you could have one super human power what would you choose? To time travel, to go back in time and meet Elizabeth

8. If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?
I would buy my mum a house and a horse because she loves horsesand I would take her on an aeroplane because she has never been on one. And I would go to visit the Jelly Bean Factory. And I would buy a new dress every day.

9. Do you like bananas?
Yes but there are conditions. They must be cold and only just ripe enough to eat.

10. In your opinion, which is the most interesting volunteering opportunity that young people can do in Oxfordshire at the moment?
Well, we have so many opportunities on our database that it’s hard to choose! But from my own experience I would have to say that Oxfam has some really great Internships in loads of different departments. Before working for the Oxfordshire Vinvolved Team, I did an internship at Oxfam with their Oxjam events team (and bagged myself a V50!). You receive loads of support from Oxfam staff and despite what some people think, you don’t need to have any specific qualifications. Oxfam has loads of interns at anyone time, with new opportunities coming up every week so there’s a really good social element to it too! And you get a free lunch!

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News

Recruiting Now: v20 Season 5. v are seeking Enthusiastic, Motivated and committed young people!! – No Experience Necessary. Since V's launch in May 2006 v has achieved great things – making a massive and lasting difference to the world of youth volunteering. Our v20 Youth Advisory Board members can take us even further. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference, and build the kind of experience you won’t find anywhere else. As part of v20, young people can be at the heart of the organisation, making sure we remain relevant and responsive to young people’s needs. Last year’s v20 hosted our National Conference, rubbed shoulders with the stars at the vinspired National Awards and had loads of fun during residential weekends. Interested speak to your YVA for more information.

The Application form and Guidance Notes are available to be downloaded from our website at http://vinspired.com/v20/pages/v20-recruiting-no In order to be considered for a position on the v20 Youth Advisory Board, applicants must be:

• Aged 16 – 24 yrs (when you apply)
• Resident in England

To make the most of the opportunity, they should be willing to

• Volunteer for 1 year (April 2010-April 2011): this will be split up with 8 weekend residentials, plus minimum of 10 hours per month extra (either online or face to face).
• Able to represent their own views, not those of an organisation, group or other project.
• Willing to travel to locations across England (with v organising and paying for travel)

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Wednesday 17th February
 

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Opportunities

We currently have over 1,800 volunteering opportunities on our database, each month we will highlight some of the organisations who are looking for more young volunteers -

1. Go Active - 18-25? Do you live in the Vale? Do you have a passion for jogging? Could you help others find that passion? Get Oxfordshire Active is looking for motivated individuals to lead local jogging groups for adults of all fitness levels. No qualifications are required - just bags of enthusiasm, motivation and a like for socialising.  Similar opportunties available county wide REF OCV 1637

2. SKIDZ in Banbury - 16-25? Interested in getting into youth work / teaching / support work etc?! If you have particular knowledge and skills tinkering with engines, or welding, or spraypainting etc, that would be fantastic, but if you don't, that's also absolutely fine - as long as you're happy to get involved and give it a go (under the supervision of instructors!), and encourage participants to do the same! REF 1812

3.  Connexions - 16-19 yrs old? Connexions Oxfordshire provides impartial information, advice, guidance and support to young people aged 13 -19 (and up to 25 years with additional needs) as they move through their teenage years into adulthood and working life. We would love to hear from you if you would like to become a member of a new young people's forum which will raise and discuss any Connexions-related issues. REF 1819

4. Pegasus Theatre - 16-25? Pegasus is looking for two dynamic young people to be marketing volunteers with the organisation for a maximum of 4 months, from January to April 2010. You will be part of the marketing team and help Pegasus raise its profile and develop new audiences.  REF 1806

5. Low Carbon Wolvercote - 16-25? Love bikes and / or the world? Got practical repairs skills and/or would like to develop them?..One of Low Carbon Wolvercote's aims is to get more people cycling - and one of the ways to do this is to offer a bike repair clinic so that dodgy brakes, flat tyres, wobbly saddles etc are no longer barriers to people using their bikes rather than cars! We also try to pass on maintenance tips to people. REF 1793

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How are you getting on?

Awards!
The TV Awards and the Golden Globe Awards have been announced this month but all of these people have quite frankly gone one better! They have all recieved thier v award for thier outstanding contribution to volunteering! A massive well done to all of you!!
 

Kate White
Laura Tatton
Erica Bisach
Jake Reynolds
Clare Brodey
Rebecca Croft
Pete Bucknell
Stephen Brown
Jonathan Bownds
Simon Best
Chris Foxton
Joshua Hoadley
Adam Jones
Marina Funck
Rachel Hancox
 

You could be featured here next month - Please keep us up to date with what you are doing, so that we can then support you to achieve your v50 / & v impact awards.
We’ll also invite you to a celebration event in your area!

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Volunteer of the month

Each month we are going to feature one of the many young people who currently are volunteering in Oxfordshire, asking them the same 5 questions -
Introducing ... CHRIS
 

Q1. What Volunteering do you do/have you done?

I currently work as a volunteer outdoor pursuits instructor for the charity Adventure Plus
My job involves teaching activities such as canoeing, climbing, biking and fencing to everyone from schools, youth groups to adults.
I also volunteer one-off for the sales team and support staff of the All Souls Orchestra

Q2. How did you hear about the vInvolved team?

My volunteer co-ordinator originally heard about vInvolved and told us about what it was all about. We then decided that we felt it was a good scheme to be involved in.

Q3. What have you enjoyed most about volunteering

The skills I have gained over the last year and a half! There is a lot that you learn in school, but there is also lots of different skills you learn from volunteering and working. I have especially enjoyed the challenges I have faced over my time with Adventure Plus, including a 128-mile canoe expedition down the River Thames!

Q4. How has volunteering helped you/how do you feel it will help you in the future?
I feel volunteering has helped me gain life skills and helped me become more independent.  I have gained soft skills such as public speaking, administrative skills, etc. with qualifications such as my Level 1 Canoe/Kayak Coach and GNAS Archery Community leader award. From volunteering I can enter the world of work after university with an understanding of what it entails.

Q5. If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be and why?

Tom Morello (Guitarist from Rage Against the Machine) I would love to meet him! He is an amazing musician and his skill with a guitar is mind-blowing.During his musical career he fought for human rights and has stood against political injustice in a number of countries. He is an awesome and genuine person and would be great to have dinner with!

[Chris is 4th from the left in the picture]

Thanks Chris - if you would like to be featured here next month get in touch!

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Youth Action Teams -YAT's

In this section every month we hope to give you an update on one of the YAT's (Youth Action Teams) we are currently working with. If you are a member of one of our YAT's get in touch to share with others what you are currently doing and the difference you have made so far.

The Urban Music Foundation YAT

The Urban Music Foundation (UMF) was started in 2009 by Kymel Austin and Rory Campbell, two local lads from Oxford’s Leys estates. They realised that music is a very effective way of channeling the frustration and anger that many young people in these areas feel, and converting it into something more positive. Rory and Kymel saw that although there was a high demand for an organisation to provide a means to combat the growing negativity and also help young musicians break through into Oxford’s vibrant music scene, there was no such thing in permanent place.

The UMF will run projects alongside local residents, developing and producing their own music through supplying training, advice and guidance and also provide a positive influence to try and stop the rising tide of negativity and violence consuming many deprived areas. The Urban Music Foundation is from the community, by the community and for the community. Their core belief is that negative energy can be channeled and converted into positive through utilising the medium of music.
 

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What have we been up to?

We've been busy bee's at the vteam planning and preparing for events coming up! Don't forget its not too late to get involved with helping us plan our celebration event of the year, if you want to improve your event planning skills get in touch with Claire or Jenn [next newsletter will have all the inside info on what to expect at the event in March!!]

Just before Christmas, Claire, Jenn, Chris and one of our fab volunteers Aidan went down to the Gatehouse to to volunteer to wrap Christmas presents for the homeless. They had a fab time and all in all helped wrao over 160 presents in 2 hours! Good Job!!

Look out for us at these upcoming events -

-Cherwell Careers Fair

- Oxford University 2010 Beyond Profit Fair

Also see our YVA's at their regular drop in 's - Brookes Uni / OCVC / Abingdon and Witney College / & Connexions Centres - check out our website for the dates and times

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