This listing is compiled by the Harrogate Volunteer Centre and includes many, but not all, of the organisations in the Harrogate area that welcome voluntary support for their work. Many of them could not provide their important service to local people without volunteers.
There are many ways to be involved in your local area and the choice can be quite overwhelming. Remember, you are volunteering because you want to, so it’s important that you chose to do something that you enjoy.
The Harrogate Volunteer Centre is part of the Harrogate & Area Council for Voluntary Service and is located at Community House, 46-50 East Parade, Harrogate HG1 5RR
They can be contacted on 01423 509004 e-mail: volunteer@harrogatecvs.org.uk
www.harrogatecvs.org.uk/volunteering
Hot off the press for this week are:
Workshop Volunteers at Horticap – volunteers would be working with Horticap students in the workshop making items for the site, the garden and for sale in the shop. There is plenty of scope for them to make items of their own design. Volunteers with joinery experience would be useful, also required are patience and a sense of humour. Volunteers will need to have a CRB check carried out by Horticap as they would be working with vulnerable adults. Volunteers are required any weekday, from 9.30-12.30 or 12.30 – 4.
Harrogate and District Blind Society are looking for male volunteer walkers to assist some of their gentlemen service users with getting walking exercise in the fresh air. Males in particular are needed as some of the service users are large gentlemen who need to heavily rely on support from a guide whilst out walking, and women in the past have found it to be quite tiring.
Granby Rose residential home need volunteers to assist with breakfast. Granby Rose is a beautiful purpose build home designed for people living with Dementia. We have several volunteers working with us and we find them to be extremely valuable members of the team. Mealtimes are an especially busy time of the day and we pride ourselves on creating a restaurant environment where our residents can be served and assisted to the highest standards. We recognise how important breakfast time is and try to ensure the residents are assisted to have whatever they would like and as much as they would like. We do not have all of our 25 Residents in there at once but it is still a busy environment and we would be extremely grateful if anybody was kind enough to volunteer to help with this busy period. Training will be provided on nutrition and the different types of diets that we cater for. Volunteers are required 7 days a week, from 8 – 10.30
Jennyruth Workshop are looking for people to help selling their products on a stall at the Masham Sheep Fair on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September. If any of you could help us out on the stall on either day that would be much appreciated, even just if it was for an hour or two! Times would be between 10am and 4/5.00pm on the stall and between 9.30am and 12.30pm to help with car parking.
The main listing:
ABLe Volunteers International Fund
Contact – Alison Lowndes Tel: 07771712012 Email: volunteer@avif.org.uk
AVIF is an innovative online charity with a promise to Invest in our Volunteers. We assist with sustainable development via online and onsite volunteering in rural Kenya, East Africa. Being virtual means negligible administration costs for worldwide impact. We believe in efficiency, honesty and transparency. Providing opportunities for online volunteers to get involved in the very early stages of many exciting new projects.
Advocacy
Contact – Alison Carter Tel: 01423 547500 Email: alison.carter@advocacyharrogate.org.uk Volunteer Advocates support vulnerable people on a one-to-one basis, helping them to be heard and listened to. Advocates are people with experience of life’s ups and downs. You need to be able to listen and help someone else speak for themselves. Training is provided – a really rewarding role, working with older people or people with disabilities. They also need some help with their office admin and marketing.
Age Concern Knaresborough & District
Contact – Jane Farquharson Tel: 01423 864956 Email: info@ageconcern.org.uk
We rely on volunteers to help with our many services for older people in the Knaresborough area – supporting people in our day care centres or in their own homes, helping with shopping or doing odd jobs.
Age UK
Contact – Charlotte Seaton Tel: 01423 502253 Email: harrogate@ageconcernnorthyorkshire.co.uk There are a number of ways you can support older people working with Age Concern. Home Secretary Volunteers visit older people to help with paper work and correspondence. Listening Ear Volunteers telephone identified older people to help reduce loneliness and isolation – working from home or the Age Concern offices. We also need help with our Reception and with meeting and greeting at our exercise classes.
Alzheimer’s Society
Contact Anne Alblas on 01423 506080 Email: Annealblas@alzheimers.org.uk
Volunteer Befrienders share an interest, hobby or activity with a person with dementia, a wonderful opportunity to help people living with dementia to maintaining exist skills and interests, and to give a person pleasure and boost their confidence.
Avalon Freedom
Contact – Tim Knighton Tel: 01423856589 Email: timknighton@avalongroup.org.uk
Do you enjoy being part of a team and have the time to go on holiday? We organise tailor- made holidays at affordable prices for older people, people with different abilities, and people with all kinds of health problems. Trained volunteers accompany our service users providing support and companionship, but not lifting or personal care. We also need minibus drivers, people to accompany day trips…plenty to do!
ARCH Mediation
Contact – Ellen Wilkinson Tel: 01423 868782
Neighbour to neighbour problems can poison lives. Mediation is a way of trying to help neighbours sort out their differences. Mediators are ordinary everyday people with an ability to get on with people and able to keep their heads in tense or difficult situations.
Barnardo’s Grove Road Project
Holiday Playschemes Contact – Marina Merrington Tel: 01423 524149 Support a disabled child (aged 5-11) access mainstream playschemes and activities during the school holidays. Lots of fun – no previous experience of working with disabled children necessary.
Short Breaks Contact – Chris Dixon Tel: 01423 524850 Email: chris.dixon@barnardos.org.uk Could you spend time with a disabled child on a part-time basis, helping the child make new friendships and gain new experiences away from home?
BackCare Harrogate
Contact: Lin Tippey Tel 01423 865946 Email Keithandlin2@btinternet.com The group needs a secretary who is prepared to make a small time commitment to ensuring the monthly meetings are properly advertised to reach as many people as possible in the local community.It is also the role of the secretary to organise and attend committee meetings 3-4 times a year, take the minutes and distribute them to the committee members.
Bilton Conservation Group
Contact – Keith Wilkinson Tel: 01423 564708 Email: keith2niddgorge@talktalk.net
Many opportunities for active field work and hands on experience mainly in the Nidd Gorge area on the banks of the River Nidd. For other outdoor conservation groups – ask the Volunteer Centre for a list
British Red Cross
Therapeutic Care Contact – Collette Kemp Tel: 01274 659311 Email: ckemp@redcross.org.uk Through hand care and neck and shoulder massage volunteers promote a sense of well- being and enhanced self image to men and women in hospital and nursing or residential homes. No experience necessary.
British Thyroid Foundation
Contact – Janis Hickey 01423 709707 Email: j.l.hickey@btf-thyroid.org
We provide support and information to people with all types of thyroid disorder. There are opportunities to be involved with the design of our website, and also for a support group co-ordinator and a database administrator.
BUPA- The Crest & Crystal Court
Contact Daphne Johnson Tel: 01423563113 Email: daphne.johnson@bupacare.com We are a residential home for residents with dementia. Our clients enjoy a varied activities programme but would greatly benefit from visitors. So we are looking for volunteer befrienders to help with the day activities and outings.
Cancer Research UK
Contact: Natasha Howe Tel: 0113 2032433 Email: natasha.howe@cancer.org.uk Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. There are a variety of opportunities to be involved including event planning and management and research.
Canine Concern
Contact – John Mirfield Tel: 0113 258 0332 Email: canineconcern.westyorkshire@yahoo.co.uk Do you have a dog with a good temperament that likes to be fussed? Would
you like to take your dog to visit residential and nursing homes and really make a difference to an elderly person’s day?
Carers Resource
Contact – Jean Eames Tel: 01423 500555 Email: info@carersresource.org
Carers’ Resource gives support and information to unpaid carers and vulnerable people. There are a variety of opportunities to be involved supporting carers and their families, either one to one, via the phone or in a group situation. Opportunities also exist for fundraisers and admin help.
Carers Time Off
Contact – Christine Boxall Tel: 01423 561061 Email: carerstimeoff@harrogatecvs.org.uk
Volunteers provide caring cover in the home for a dependant adult relative or friend. This rewarding role enables carers to take a much needed break from their caring commitments, allowing them some valuable time to themselves. Volunteers can provide ad hoc emergency cover, but a commitment to a weekly or fortnightly arrangement is ideal.
Cats Protection
Contact – Bette Cowsill Tel: 01423 889598 Email: bette@whispurrs.org.uk
Cats Protection rehabilitate and rehouse unwanted cats and kittens with caring, responsible new owners. There are many opportunities for volunteers to become involved in a variety of ways to support the work of the CPL, from helping in the shelter to visiting prospective owners.
Childline School Service
Contact: Tracy Myers Tel: 07792654739 Email: tracey.myers@nspcc.org.uk
This is a new service to enable primary school children to understand about different forms of abuse, and where to go for help should they need it. Volunteers are required to give assemblies and workshops at schools near them, to raise awareness about the service. All material is provided by Childline, and you would work with a partner.
Cinnamon Trust
Contact: Wendy Swanson Tel: 01736 757900
The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, ensuring owners and their pet can stay together for as long as possible, by providing help with dog walking, vet visits, or fostering of pets whilst their owners are in hospital.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Contact:CarolBarber Tel:01423503576 Email: manager@harrogatecab.cabnet.org.uk The CAB provides a free, confidential, independent and impartial advice and information service for members of the community throughout the Harrogate District. Help with problems relating to welfare benefits, debts,employment,housing, consumer issues and personal matters. They have vacancies to help on their Reception.
Contact the Elderly
Contact – Mary Robinson Tel: 01535 632592 Email: mary.robinson@contact-the-elderly.org.uk Volunteers provide a monthly outing and tea-party for elderly, often disabled people, on one Sunday afternoon each month. Volunteer drivers are needed for a new group in Harrogate – can you help? Or perhaps you could host a party?
Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI)
Contact: Liz Westmoreland Tel: 01423 502227 Email: liz.westmoreland@cri.org.uk
CRI help people to break free from harmful patterns of behaviour by delivering innovative services which have a measurable impact on both health and community safety issues. They have opportunities for volunteer mentors to provide supportive assistance to help clients through difficult periods in their lives by helping them to work towards objectives and goals
The Dogs Trust
Contact – Amanda Sands Tel: 0113 281 4920
A dog welfare charity caring for dogs that need rehoming. If you’d like to get out and walk, your help with walking dogs or cleaning the kennels or the centre (to the East of Leeds) would be much appreciated. If you could offer a short term home to a dog whose owner may have suffered domestic abuse the Dogs Trust would also love to hear from you.
Elizabeth Finn Trust
Contact Geoff Cooper Tel: 01423 566964 Email: geoff.cooper@efhl.co.uk Would you like to help the residents of Hampden House who do not have visitors by having afternoon tea, assisting them to write letters, playing games and occasionally going for a short walk when the weather permits?
Epilepsy Action Harrogate Branch
Contact – Carl Donnelly Tel: 01423 873598 Email: cardyll@hotmail.com
” We want to live in a society where everyone understands Epilepsy and where attitudes towards the condition are based on fact not fictions.” Epilepsy Action Yeadon Yorkshire. Would you like to assist the Chair of the organisation with administration and organising social events on order to raise awareness for Epilepsy?
Fairfax Community Centre
Contact Danielle Mulholland Tel: 01423 883614 Email: danielle.mullholland@harrogate.gov.uk Providing a focal point, information and activities, for the community, particularly to the Knaresborough Road Estate. You could help in the Tuck Shop selling food and sweets to the young people and could get involved with other Youth Club activities i.e. art and craft, sport. The Community Centre produces a quarterly newlsetter for people who live in the area. You could help us deliver it around the Fairfax estate.
Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group
Contact – Wendy Thorburn Tel: 01423 546161 Email: admin@follifootparkdrg.org.uk FPDRG provide people with disabilities with a sense of freedom through horse riding – and they need volunteers to help. You need never have ridden a horse before, what matters is that you want to help. They also need some admin help.
Friends of Bebra Gardens
Contact – Andrew Willoughby Tel: 01423 866987/07885 543453
Friends of Bebra Gardens was formed in 2005 to re-vamp these slightly neglected and over-grown gardens near the moat and castle in Knaresborough. We hope to improve paths and gateways in addition to the garden areas. We need volunteers to help with our projects mainly involves gardening.
Granby Rose – Four Seasons Health Care
Contact-MishelIngle Tel:01423505533Emai:lgranby.rose.cm@fshc.co.uk
Granby Rose is a residential care home for older people suffering from dementia They would love somebody to be able to come in and assist the activities co-ordinator with activities or being able to just sit and chat with residents.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Contact Lindsey Lloyd Tel: 0845 371 7771 Email: volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk
Guide Dogs for the Blind provide guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people. There are a variety of ways to help, from driving to fundraising to puppy walking.
Harewood House
Contact-SarahIrwin-Davis Tel:01132181039 Email:sarah.i@harewood.org
As well as a major historic house, Harewood is also an independent educational charitable trust. Volunteers play a crucial role in our programme of activities – as stewards in the house, helping the Bird Garden staff, driving our shuttle bus or helping with education or in the second hand book shop.
Harrogate Borough Council – Disability Project
Contact – Danielle Mulholland Tel: 01423 556719 Email: danielle.mullholland@harrogate.gov.uk
Fitness, sport and leisure sessions for people with disabilities are held at various locations in Harrogate. Could you motivate and encourage people and help them participate fully? Volunteers are particularly wanted to help with a swimming session for children on a Sunday evening
Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust
Contact Tel: 01423 553014
Volunteers are actively involved in providing non-clinical services at our local hospital and so contribute to total patient care, or by supplementing Trust funds by fundraising.
Contact – John Read Tel: 01423 566900 Email: contact@harrogate-homeless-project.org.uk The homeless project in Harrogte provides temporary accommodation, advice and support to homeless people locally. Volunteers can help at day time drop-in sessions (10-2) or in the evening (7-10). Clients at the Homemless Project often need a friendly listening ear or some practical help. Admin/Reception roles are also available and come with traning.
Harrogate International Festival
Contact – Fran Lyth Tel: 01423 562303 Email: info@harrogate-festival.org.uk
Harrogate International Festivals is a creative cultural organisation working all the year round to bring the highest quality performing arts, literature, community and education participation to Harrogate and Yorkshire. They require Stewards to help at the festivals.
Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre
Contact – Stephanie Kirkman Meikle Tel: 01423 536211 Email: learning@harrogateslc.org.uk Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre supports people with special needs through a variety of services and activities, raising awareness in the local community of issues faced by those with different needs and encouraging integration. Volunteers are essential to the Skills 4 Living Centre and are involved in the full range of activities which include adult literacy,
skills for life, makaton, IT craftwork, drama and keep fit, talks and discussions, and outings. They also need volunteers to support their office staff.
Harrogate Training Services
Contact – Jackie Everett Tel: 01423 526258 Email: hts1@fsmail.net
We support young people (16-19) most of whom have struggled in compulsory education, particularly in relation to literacy and numeracy. Our trainees come from a range of backgrounds, and we aim to take them back to basics and help them to start enjoying learning. We really appreciate the help that our volunteers give us with reading, filling in applications forms, maths and personal development – through formal and informal learning such as playing board games.
Henshaws Society for Blind People
Contact John Fox– Tel: 01423 799612 Email: john.fox@henshaws.org.uk
There are many ways you can support Henshaws as they support people with a visual impairment living in the community. Volunteers help with gardening, driving, helping at events, admin, arts and crafts, trips, days out and leisure activities. You could be helping at the College in Starbeck, at the Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough or in the community.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Contact Lucy Dacre Tel 01759 322253 Email: lucy.dacre@hearingdogs.org.uk
Over 650,00 people in the UK are severely or profoundly deaf and can benefit from a hearing dog. Hearing dogs change lives. Opportunities exist for puppy socialisers, fosterers and for puppy socialisers holiday /emergency cover.
Help at Home
Contact Jane Cozens Tel: 01423 507861 Email: info@helpathome.fsnet.co.uk
Help at Home support people who wish to remain living independently in their own homes by carrying out a range of gardening (summer) and decorating /DIY (winter) tasks. Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the above, and typically spend one day a week between 10-3 volunteering.
Home Library Service –
Contact John Moss Tel: 01609 798281 Email: john.moss@northyorks.gov.uk
North Yorkshire County Council Library Service works Volunteers to provide a free delivery service to customers who find it difficult to visit the Library and Information Centre themselves. Volunteer drivers and helpers are required to deliver books and other materials
Horticap
Contact – Carolyn Rothwell Tel: 07900 567904 Email: horticap-volunteers@hotmail.co.uk Could you support someone with learning disabilities with horticultural activities – helping them to grow in every sense! We also need help in our flourishing shop.
Hyper
Contact – Coleen Scruton Tel: 01423 525838 Email: hyperharrogate@yahoo.co.uk
Hyper is a Churches Together project which aims to provide teenagers (13-18) with a safe place to hang out and listen to music. Volunteers make it all possible Sessions: Tues, Wed & Thurs 11.00 – 4.00 (school holidays), 3.30 – 5.30 (term time), & Fri 7-10pm.
Independent Domestic Abuse Service
Contact Sarah Hill Tel: 01423 530078 Email: info@idas.org.uk
IDAS is a growing organisation that aims to meet the needs of all those experiencing domestic abuse, including male victims. We work across York, Hambleton and Richmondshire. Due to our expansion we require professional and committed people to join our Board of Trustees. The meetings are in the evening, once a month for approximately five hours.
Interact
Contact: Mary Scurr Tel: 01423 889494 Email: me.scurr@gmail.com Becoming an Interact volunteer is one of the most enjoyable ways to meet new people, enjoy music dance and drama together and make a difference, all at the same time. All our volunteers receive support and training wherever needed. Everyone needs art and drama in their lives, but not all of us get the opportunities. As an Interact volunteer you can change this by enabling those who may never have experienced the enjoyment of the arts, to enjoy new experiences with your support
Killinghall Nomads
Contact: Chris Dixon Tel: 01423 521464 Email: chrisj.dixon@tiscali.co.uk
Would you enjoy spending a couple of hours on a Saturday morning helping a group of young disabled football enthusiast s to enjoy a game? This group seeks to promote skills, teamwork and self-esteem. It is part of a much larger Charter Standard junior football club, which also requires volunteers in a variety of roles, including admin, event organisation and fund raising.
Knaresborough in Bloom & Friends of Bebra Gardens
Contact: Andrew Willoughby Tel: 01423 866987 Email: Andrew@knaresboroughinbloom.co.uk Knaresborough in Bloom have created over 30 containers which are planted with annual plants twice yearly. Volunteers make it all possible – creating instant colour on the streets! The Friends of Bebra Gardens look after the gardens near the moat and castle in Knaresborough, improving the paths and gateways in addition to the garden areas.
Knaresborough FEVA
Contact Katherine Leech via the Volunteer Centre
Knaresborough feva (Festival of Entertainment & Visual Arts) is an annual festival held in August which includes music, theatre, visual arts and spoken word. It is run by a committee of volunteers, supported by residents, traders, organisations and visitors to the town. Volunteers are needed to help to promote and organise events.
Leonard Cheshire – Wharfedale House
Contact – Maureen Asquith Tel: 01937 585667 Email: wharfedale@ney.leonard-cheshire.org.uk If you have some free time to spare and want to make a difference to someone’s life by offering to drive, escort, befriend and support someone with a physical disability with day to day activities including leisure, shopping, visiting friends, family or G.P’s, we are looking for positive, upbeat people like you, who have a respect for disabled people.
Leukaemia Care
Contact – Dawn Allen Tel: 01905 755977 Email: dawn.allen@leukaemiacare.org.uk We offer emotional and financial support to patients, carers and family members who have been affected by Leukaemia, Lymphoma and allied blood disorders. Volunteers are needed both practically to carry out fundraising. There is also an opportunity for a Volunteer Team Leader to help support volunteers in their region.
Little Red Bus – Car Drivers
Contact – John Hook Tel: 01423 526655 Email: John2@littleredbus.co.uk
Enjoy driving? Enjoy meeting people? Then being a volunteer car driver for our car scheme could be just up your street! Without our volunteer drivers many local people would be unable to get to appointments, go to day centres, visit family, etc. You can do as little or as much as you choose and your costs will be met.
Macmillan Cancer Research
ContactRoohiLupton Tel:01904756403 Email: rlupton@macmillan.org.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. We provide practical, emotional, financial and medical support .Opportunities for volunteers include marketing /PR, events, Communications Co-ordinator and volunteer co-ordinator.
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Contact – Cheryl Barrett Tel: 01904 621000 Email: cheryl.barrett@mariecurie.org.uk
A quarter of income needed to provide Marie Curie’s cancer care services is raised by volunteers organising local activities and special events. Whatever your skills and interests, or however much or little time you can spare there’s a role for you.
The Mental Health Project
Contact – Lizzie Rosewood Tel: 01423 505676 Email: mentalhealthproject@harrogatecvs.org.uk Volunteers support people living in the community who have mental health problems. You could be involved in a drop in, or offer support on a one-to-one basis by visiting someone at home or by sharing a social activity. There are also opportunities to work with young mums who are in need of a bit of extra support.
MIND – The Acorn Centre
Contact – Val Longley Tel:01423 503335 Email: harrogatemind@btconnect.com
The Acorn Centre is a user-led drop-in centre for people with mental health problems. It offers therapy sessions, activities, or a place to have a cup of tea and a chat. Would you be interested in helping at their digital photography group on Weds and Thurs pm?
Missing People
Contact – Tina Firthlock on 07872 601681 Email: tina.firthlock@missingpeople.org.uk Missing People offers a lifeline for the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year. We are now enlisting the help of regional volunteers to co-ordinate the search in the local area; raise awareness of the crisis services available and raise money to fund our vital services. There are a number of roles around PR, marketing, fund raising and volunteer co- ordinaton, depending on your skills and interests.
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Contact – Chris Ellison 0845 3751845 Email: chris.ellison@mndassociation.org Could you offer caring, practical support to people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and their families? Volunteers work as part of a local team visiting people with MND and their carers at home and contacting them by telephone to provide a valuable link between people affected by MND, the MND Association and other sources of help.
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
Contact – 0845 872 9058 Email: volunteer@muscular-dystrophy.org Muscle disease causes muscles to waste and weaken making it hard for those affected to do even the simplest task. It the heart and respiratory muscles too. Mobility is affected and most conditions lead to some sort of disability. There are a number of roles to help out with marketing, event planning, PR and fundraising.
National Autistic Society
Contact Tel: 0115 9113362
The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism. Could you be a voice for people with autism by raising awareness of this misunderstood condition and the need for support in your local community?
National Society for Epilepsy
Contact Dee Moore Tel: 0191 252 0504 Email: dee.moore@epilepsynse.org.uk
The NSE aims to enhance the health & well-being of people with epilepsy by improving clinical treatment & care and by the provision of health information to people with epilepsy, to health professionals and the general public. Volunteers are required to help give information in hospitals and other care settings.
The National Trust at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
Contact – Andrew Moss Tel: 01765 643172 Email: andrew.moss@nationaltrust.org.uk Enjoy one of the National Trust’s most beautiful properties while helping to keep it special for future generations. Play a key role welcoming visitors to estate and providing information and guidance as a volunteer warden. Other volunteers helping with schools activities, wildlife walks, educational and family activities, events, or in the shop at weekends.
For volunteering opportunities at other Yorkshire properties: call 01904 771941
North Yorkshire Circles of Support and Accountability
Contact – Melva Burton Tel: 07795 051196 Email: melva.burton@yhcosa.org.uk
Circles of Support and Accountability are an innovative and successful community contribution to reducing specific areas of offending, working in close partnership with criminal justice agencies. Groups of four or five volunteers (25+) work with a ‘Core Member’ who is an offender committed to stopping offending. Training and supervision is provided.
North Yorkshire Rotters
Contact – Rebecca Wilson Tel: 01609 797212 Email: Rebecca.wilson@northyorks.gov.uk The North Yorkshire Rotters aim to raise awareness amongst the wider public of the importance of Home Composting and the Love Food Hate Waste campaign. Once fully trained, volunteers will be equipped to promote simple ways to reduce waste through a range of activities to suit individual skills.
North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service
Contact – Paul Whalley Tel: 0845 034 9478 Email: paul.whalley@northyorks.gov.uk
The Youth Offending Team aims to prevent young people from breaking the law. There are four ways in which you can support their work – Mentors provide a one-to-one personal relationship that can help divert young people away from offending and Reparation Volunteers support and work with them during their period of reparation; Appropriate Adults attend police stations and courts with young people; Referral Panel Members work with young people to devise a contract to address the reasons for their offending behaviour (most Panels meet between the hours of 5pm and 7pm);
Open Country
Contact – David Shaftoe Tel: 01423 507227 Email: info@opencountry.org.uk
We enable anyone with any disability – physical or learning, sensory impairment or mental ill health – to access the countryside. We depend heavily on volunteers who help us provide our countryside activities – walks, outings, conservation work and cycling. Volunteers are promised fun and friendship while doing something worthwhile.
Opening Doors for Disabled People
Contact – Rachel MacKenzie Tel: 01423 526991 Email: openingdoors@harrogatecvs.org.uk We need people who can offer their time to enable people with a physical or sensory disability to get out and about, doing everyday activities such as shopping, going for a walk or swim, to the pub, cinema or theatre, or even on a training course or doing voluntary work. Just 3 hours a month spent on a one-to-one basis with a disabled person can really make a difference to their life. Opening Doors Volunteers use their own cars.
Orb Community Enterprise
Contact Leon Fijalkowski Tel: 01423 202028 Email: openingdoors@harrogatecvs.org.uk Interested in mental health? Inspired by music, art and all things creative? Orb Community Enterprise involves people living with mental health problems in multimedia activities. Volunteers can help in many ways – with community events, facilitating art sessions, helping in the sound studio, making music, developing our website and other virtual communications, videoing live events or supporting video projects getting involved in amateur drama or helping in the office
Over the Wall
Contact Trina Finney Tel: 01420 82086 Email: info@otw.org.uk
Over The Wall (OTW)is a charity that organises residential activity camps for young people. aged 8 to 17 years old, who are affected by a serious or life limiting illness. The mission of OTW is to provide the campers with fun, creative and challenging activities in a safe, secure and medically supervised environment. Volunteers are required to help at these camps.
Paperworks
Contact – Jackie Keir Tel: 01423 816999 Email: admin@paperworks.org.uk
Could you offer half a day a week to work alongside people with learning and physical disabilities? Paperworks helps people into employment by providing real work experience. Trainees undertake a variety of print-finishing tasks such as collating, stapling, folding, envelope stuffing, etc. and learn telephone and basic computer skills.
Parents for Inclusive Play (PIPA)
Contact – Danielle Mulholland Tel: 01423 556719 Email: danielle.mulholland@harrogate.gov.uk PIPA is a parent led, voluntary group that aims to establish and support inclusive leisure provision for disabled children and young people. We need enthusiastic people to help to look after the children who attend the Saturday club.
Pets as Therapy
Contact: Mel Davis Tel: 01844 345445 Email: reception@petsastherapy.org
PAT aims to bring comfort and companionship to people in hospital, hospices, nursing or residential homes by taking registered PAT dogs (or cats) to visit on a regular basis.
Pinewoods Conservation Group
Contact Geoff Scurrah Tel 01423 509889
The Pinewood Conservation Group manages 66 acres of woodland between the Valley Gardens and Harlow Carr Gardens. Opportunities exist for volunteers to be involved in all aspects of conservation.
Purple Patch Arts
Contact: Vicky Ackroyd Tel: 07969 842 540 Email: vicky@purplepatcharts.org Some people take a bit of extra time to understand activities, and need additional encouragement to join in and get creative! If you enjoy drama, movement, visual arts, literature, and music, then you could mentor participants and help them get the most out of
their workshop with us. You might be asked to work alongside an individual, in a group to join in with the activity or simply be a friend to chat to at break time. You would never be asked to work alone with any participants or offer personal care.
Relate
Contact: Joe McGuinness Tel: 01423 502173 Email: relate-harrogate-centre@relateweb.co.uk Relate provides help and counselling for individuals and couples who are experiencing problems in their relationships or who want to separate. Receptionists are required on Wednesdays or Thursdays evenings.
Remap
Contact: Peter Hodson Tel: 01423 883434 Email: peterhodson@slsconsult.co.uk
Remap produces custom designed aids for disabled people, from the simplest adaptation to the more complex aid. A local Remap panel meets once a month, made up of volunteer panelists with craft or engineering skills, access to their own workshop (however small) and a little time to spare to design and make aids and adaptations. If you enjoy working with your hands and enjoy problem-solving this could be for you!
RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Harlow Carr
Contact: Deborah Hellis Tel: 01423 565418 Email: deborah.hellis@rhs.org.uk
The RHS is looking for volunteers to promote membership at Harlow Carr Garden in Harrogate. There are also opportunities to volunteer promoting events.
RNIB
Contact – Helen Stanley Tel: 0845 60 30 575 Email: volunteering@rnib.org.uk
Over 3000 volunteers help provide many vital services that enable people with sight problems to live independently and tackle every day challenges. Volunteers are needed to help the RNIB at Tate House in Harrogate where you could befriend a resident and help them remain independent as possible. Or perhaps you could help with organising Activities Sessions?
RSPCA Harrogate Branch
Contact: Jill Johnson Tel: 01423 886249 Email: admin@RSPCAHarrogate.org.uk
The RSPCA Harrogate & District Branch is self-funding and governed by local trustees. All monies raised go to help animals in the Harrogate, Wetherby, Knaresborough and Ripon districts. Opportunities exist for volunteer Home Visitors, Fundraisers and Trustees.
St. Michael’s Hospice
Contact – Miriam Landy Tel: 01423 879687 Email: mlandy@saintmichaelshospice.org
The Hospice cares for adults with a variety of life-threatening illnesses from the Harrogate district. Volunteers are vital to support fundraising for the hospice. Other voluntary roles include event planning, gardening, retail / ebay sales, volunteer drivers, furniture handlers for the charity shops and general help in the Hospice shops.
Samaritans
Contact – Tel: 525352 (this is the helpline – just say you’re interested in volunteering) Email: gilly@charters.demon.co.uk
Samaritans give time to listen in confidence to others in crisis who need support, without giving advice, criticism, judgement or views. Some night time volunteering required.
Shannon Trust
Contact Sue Kent Tel: 0207 374 8855 Email: sue@shannontrust.org.uk
The Shannon Trust promotes and runs peer-taught tuition in reading for offenders with poor reading skills to enable them to engage in further learning and training so that their chances of finding employment and becoming positive members of the community increase. Volunteers are required to promote the scheme within their local prison and raise awareness among staff.
SOVA
Contact Phil Jaman Tel: 01937 548301 Email: pjarman@sova.org.uk
Sova aim To reduce crime and empower communities through individual support, community involvement and partnership working. Volunteer Mentors are needed to work with offenders, to provide help and support in removing the barriers to work for people
Stockeld Park Riding for the Disabled
Contact – Glenda Pollard Tel: 01423 521146 Email: glenda.pollard@spirehealthcare.com
Help a disabled young person enjoy the freedom of riding. Tuesdays morning and afternoon.
Stop Hate UK
Contact – Una Morris Tel: 0113 293 5100 Email: una@stophateuk.org
Volunteers supporting victim who have been affected by hate crime (race, faith, disability and sexual orientation) by listening to their complaint, empowering and supporting callers and providing guidance and advice where necessary. Volunteers work from home on a flexi-rota system through a ‘virtual call centre’ giving a minimum of 3 hours per week.
The Stroke Association – Communications Support
Contact – Helen Tatterton Tel: 01423 869346
Volunteers help people who have lost the ability to speak or understand speech following a stroke to attain the maximum possible recovery and independence in language skills. You can help someone to re-build their self-confidence and improve their morale.
Supporting Older People
Contact – Phillippa Seed Tel: 01423 531490 Email: philippasupportingolderpeople@fsmail.net Diminishing energy and feelings of dependency can often make an older person’s life seem empty and bleak. By visiting and organising outings and providing companionship and friendship volunteers help to improve the quality of life of lonely, older people.
SUSTRANS
Contact – Gia Margolis Tel:01423 870333 Email: volunteers-north@sustrtans.org.uk
SUSTRANS is a sustainable transport charity working on practical projects such as developing the National Cycle Network, over 10,000 miles of traffic-free, quiet lanes and on-road walking and cycling routes around the UK. Would you like to join an enthusiastic friendly group to do outdoor work clearing overgrown vegetation on a local cycle/footpath network? The work is on the second Tuesday of each month usually between 10- 1.
Talking Space
Contact Debbie Dean Tel: 01423 527615 Email: talkingspace@harrogatecvs.org.uk
We provide a ‘by donation’ counselling service to anyone in the Harrogate and Ripon area. Opportunities exist for volunteer counsellors who must have experience and skills in working with vulnerable adults using counselling skills. You would also be required to be qualified to diploma level or in the second year of training.
Time Together
Contact Heidi Johnson Tel: 01423 876378 Email: timetogether@btconnect.com
Time Together offer individual support to adults with a variety of support needs. They have recently set up a friendship group for young adults with aspergers and autism, and are looking for volunteers to join in with this group on a Tuesday evening from 6-9, to enable the young people to take part.
Uniformed Groups Harrogate & Nidderdale Scouts: Contact: Mark Turner Tel: 01423 886763
Email: mark@turnermail.co.uk Rossett District Guide Association: Contact: Jane Boyd Tel: 01423 884166
Harrogate & District Sea Cadets: Contact Paul Wearmouth Tel: 01943 830799
United Response
Contact – Wayne Dunn 07817 564694 Email: waynne.dunn@unitedresponse.org.uk
People with Learning Difficulties often find it difficult to make “ordinary” friends in their community. Could you offer a little time on an occasional basis to support someone living in one of United Response’s residential services, to get out and about, doing everyday things like shopping, going to the pub or the cinema? We’re also looking for people to help a group make cards and other craft items.
Victim Support
Contact – Jill Cox Tel: 0845 071 0871(Victim Support Office – ask to be referred to Jill) Email: admin@nyvss.org Could you offer practical and emotional support to victims of crime? Trained Volunteer Visitors listen to people who seek the help of Victim Support and will also offer practical help with liaising with the police or employers, helping with insurance claims, etc. Visiting
WRVS (Men welcome too!) Meals on Wheels Contact – Kaye Lawrence Tel: 01423 522952 Email: northyorkshiremow.harrogate@wrvs.org.uk Volunteers take hot meals in sealed containers into the homes of elderly clients, collect their payments, and check on their well-being. Meals on wheels are delivered every weekday between 11.30am and 1.00pm. Drivers (with their own car) and non-driving helpers are both welcome.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
Contact: Lisa Holland 01422 28011 Email: l.holland@yaa.org.uk
The Air Ambulance need people to help with local events and fundraising, and people to champion the charity within their workplace.
Yorkshire Cancer Help Centre
Contact – Esme Paterson Tel: 01423 881392
The Yorkshire Cancer Help Centre offers help and support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. We are looking for qualified counsellors and complimentary therapists as part of a team of qualified volunteers using a range of gentle natural therapies plus counselling and healing. You would need to be available approx. six times a year. Other volunteers help with serving food and drinks.
Yorkshire Yoga Centre
Contact – Laura Bissell Tel: 01423 864343 Email: info@yorkshireyoga.co.uk
People attend Yoga classes at this community Yoga Centre in an effort to relieve stress and improve mental and physical ability. Yoga sessions area available for people from all parts of the community. There is a session for people with disabilities, and volunteers are needed to help them.
Young Enterprise
Contact Jill Tinsley Tel: 01924 863232 Email: jill.tinsley@yeyh.org.uk
Young Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber runs enterprise programmes for more than 15,000 young people in over 300 schools, colleges and universities each year. Your enthusiasm, knowledge and real life experiences will enrich the learning for students and help them to understand the world of work and prepare for their futures. You would also share in the learning experience, exploring and developing your own skills and knowledge alongside the students
Youth Support Service
Contact – Kate Scott Tel: 0783 792 5802 Email kate.scott@northyorks.gov.uk
Youth Club volunteers enable young people to take part in organised activities – something different each week. There are clubs and drop-ins all over Harrogate catering for young people from 11 – 25 at different sessions.
