Oxfordshire v team July newsletter

Welcome to the 1st e-newsletter from the vinvolved Oxfordshire team. We are planning to send out monthly newsletters to all our volunteers (& to all of you that have yet to start something), 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.

Meet the team

Here is the v involved Oxfordshire team, from left to right-

Luan, Lorna, Gert, Claire, Jenn, Chris

Luan, Lorna & Gert are the Youth Volunteer Advisers, Luan covers Oxford City, Lorna covers the North & West, & Gert covers the South & Vale. Jenn is the Assisstant Youth Volunteer Adviser working across all areas. Claire & Chris are the Youth Volunteering Development Managers covering the whole county.

Each month we will profile one member of the team for you to find out a little more about us.....

News

THE BIG v BUS

v have a big purple bus which will be touring the country this summer - stopping at events and festivals, on board is the state of the art equipment to make and edit short films. If you spot it take a picture and send it in to us! The v involved Oxfordshire team are in the process of booking the bus to come to Oxfordshire, to watch this space to find out where you can see the bus locally.

V CASHPOINT

Great news -v cashpoint is open! vcashpoint offers you guys up to £2,500 to turn your ideas for volunteering projects into reality. Application forms are available on the national website www.vinspired.com This is great chance to make things happen, and we can give you a hand to do it!

Opportunities

We currently have over 1,000 volunteering opportunities on our database, each month we will highlight some of the organisations who are looking for more young volunteers -

1. Muscular Dystrophy Amble to Hambledon Marshalls needed - 16-25? We're looking for enthusiastic but dependable volunteers to act as marshalls & water-stop attendants on this event. You will be fed and watered and will be each given a lovely bright orange Muscular Dystrophy Campaign tshirt! This will be held Sunday 26th July. This is a great opportunity to support Muscular Dystrophy to raise vital funds for the organisation.REF OCV912

2. Shelter Local Campaigner - Campaigning for Affordable Housing in Oxfordshire - You'll be the campaigning force for more affordable housing to be built in your area - homes desperately needed by the thousands of families across Oxfordshire that are struggling to access a decent home. REF OCV951

3. Dogs for the Disabled - Can you talk the talk? 16-25? Do you have a love of dogs and their ability to help people? We are looking for volunteer speakers to talk at various events / fundraisers throughout Oxfordshire about the wonderful work we do. Full training will be given. REF OCV1077

4. Bunkfest Helpers Needed 18-25? We are looking for volunteers to help during the 4th- 6th September 2009 at a music festival in Wallingford town. REF OCV972

5. WRVS West Way Centre -Can you entertain us?16-25 yrs old? Have you got a talent such as singing, reciting poetry or playing a musical instrument that you would be willing to perform to the elderly clients at our day centre ? If so we would love for you to come along to our day centre! REF OCV907

To find out more about these opportunities please e-mail us on vteam@ocvys.org / or contact your Youth Volunteer Adviser direct (01865 403 304) quoting the ref number. To check out the other new opportunities visit www.vinspired.com

How are you getting on?

Have you started volunteering yet?

Do you need addtional support?

Are you logging your hours?

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!

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 ... JESSICA CHAI

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

I organsied my own fund-raising events. Sponsored 20 mile walk to Oxford and sponsored swim. Raised over £1200 (in a month whilst doing my A-levels-June 09).
-Co-ordinating the fashion show in Oxford, to raise awarness and funds for OxPAT).
- Gymnastics coach for 6 months.
- Play assistant at primary school for 3 months.
-Many random cake sales for charity.

Q2.How did you hear about the vinvolved team?

Luan, came into school one day and talked us about about v inspired

Q3.What have you enjoyed most about volunteering?

Meeting new people

Q4.How has volunteering helped you? / How do you feel it will help you in the future?

Looks great on a CV, I've meet lots of great people, made a difference in the world.

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

Hmm toughy, either Micheal McIntyre because he is hilairous, although I would probably spit my food out from laughing which would not be attractive so maybe Richard Brandson as he is one of the greatest self-made millionaires and I think I could learn a lot about business from him(something I want to go into in the future)

Thanks Jessica!! If you'd like to be featured in next month's newsletter please get in touch!

Youth Action Teams - YAT's

Have you ever said “Someone should do something about that?” Do you feel passionate about changing you area for the better Well now you can!

We are recruiting teams of super heroes to take on a community issue and tackle it in a creative way. If you have an idea and want support to realise it or you get in touch and ask about Youth Action Teams.
With the support, expertise and even some financial support of the Youth Volunteer Advisors and the vinvolved Team, you could set up a Youth Action Team that really makes a difference to your community, friends and family.

In this section every month we hope to give you an update on some 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.

What have we been up to?

Each month we're going to give you a snap shot of what we've been up to and where we've been!

Did you attend Cowley road Carnival? We did and we had a fab day meeting lots of young volunteers and organisations who are looking for volunteers. Chris, Luan & Gert were there, the picture shows Gert signing up volunteers! Great work Gert!

Luan and Chris attend the Gap year event held at Cherwell School - where they got to talk to students thinking about taking a gap year

Gert & Lorna attended the Volunteer Fair in Banbury where they spoke to people who wanted to find out more about volunteering

Claire was on BBC radio Oxford talking to presenter Louisa Hannan about the v involved project and about some of the great opportunities that are coming up over the summer!