The Volunteer Forward programme is specifically targeted at helping people living in Gateshead to build the skills, experience and support they need to make progress towards employment or further training.
Local people who have an interest in volunteering, or that are already volunteering, will be able to take a short course to gain an accredited qualification in how to take advantage of volunteering for themselves, as well as their local community. They will also be helped to start volunteering for community initiatives across Gateshead including at Citizens Advice Gateshead, and will receive the help they need to get a job.
"We're able to provide experiences from administration to call handling, from gardening and decorating right through to bring trained to deliver general advice to our clients. Its really down to each person - if they want to learn and try out new experiences, the opportunities and support will be here for them." Stuart Keilty, Volunteer Forward Programme Manager.
(L-R): Paul Dutton (Volunteer Coordinator), Judith Wood-Archer (Service Delivery Director), Jonathan Conlon (Community Trainer), Alison Dunn (Chief Executive), Stuart Kielty (Volunteer Forward Programme Manager)
Volunteers who work with you can attend short courses in the local community or at our central Advice hub in Gateshead to gain a NCFE Level 1 Award in Volunteering. This can be an existing volunteer who can gain formal recognition for the great work they do in their community, or a valuable introduction for a new volunteer.
If you have a community venue we would love to come to you and meet people who might be interested in the programme. Get in touch.
We’re also keen to find out about any volunteering roles you have within your own organisation so we can point people in your direction.
This project is part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF)
