London Communities project
The London Communities project is a three-year pan-London project focusing on:
Small, local community groups
Black and ethic minority groups
And the volunteers who are interested in helping them.
Find out more about what the project can offer you or examples of how our volunteers have helped:
A sample of volunteer roles and organisations registered with Reach
Action Trust for the Blind, Ealing Festival, Ebony Steel Band, EcoActive Eduction, African Carribean Voices, Camberwell Charities, Camden Society, Carers Kingston, Community Radio, Community Isle of Dogs, Camden Credit Union, Directory of Social Change, Multicultural Counselling, Refugees in Effective and Active Partnership, Refugees South London, St Vincents Community Centre, Street Vibes Youth. |
Volunteers
Why volunteer with the London Communities organisations?
These organisations provide very rewarding places in which to volunteer – from the outset you can really see the difference that your contribution makes. Community organisations often cannot afford to pay for the skills that they need and your input can provide vital support.
You can give something back to your own community or engage with a community which is new to you. Applying your skills in a fresh context can be very interesting and fulfilling.
What will the London Communities Project do for you?
Work closely with you to build our understanding of your interests, skills and preferences and actively seek to find you volunteering opportunities which match these.
Liaise closely with the target organisations requesting volunteers to ensure that the process runs smoothly.
To discuss whether we have opportunities which might suit you, or to find out more the project please contact Janet or Heena at london.communities@reach-online.org.uk Tel: 020 7840 5681.
What volunteers can do for you
Volunteers can help strengthen your organisation in many ways. As well as taking on roles such as trusteeships, volunteers can also provide strategic input or hands on support and specialist advice. Whilst we cannot promise to meet your every need, we do have a large number of volunteers on our books with very useful and diverse skills. We can help you create opportunities which are most likely to attract the help that you want.
What the London Communities project can do for your organisation
We provide tailored support to help you recruit the volunteers you need to achieve your aims and objectives and strengthen your operations.
The range of help we can provide include:
- Identifying and clarifying your volunteering needs
- Creating opportunities which are most likely to attract volunteers
- Promoting your volunteering needs and actively searching for suitable volunteers for you
- Staying in touch to monitor the outcome and provide further support if necessary.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham with Paddy Ross
"It’s interesting and challenging, because it’s a small organisation trying to get established,” says Reach volunteer Paddy Ross about his work with Action for Refugees in Lewisham. Founded just two years ago, the charity offers an advice service in specialist areas such as employment, housing and education and a family learning centre in computer skills, English, maths, music and art.
Iolanda Chirico, the charity’s co-ordinator, asked Reach for an experienced trustee to help implement their recently completed business plan and enable the new charity to establish its services in the local community. With a lengthy career in senior marketing positions for a variety of financial institutions, Paddy was able to offer his expertise in helping with funding applications and as a potential trustee.
"Paddy is very keen to see us grow and develop,” says Iolanda, “and very pleased to meet people of the local community.” Paddy too sees volunteering as an opportunity “to put something back into society and it’s good to work with people you do not ordinarily come in contact with.”
Paddy has proved to be very valuable to the organisation, combining his commercial expertise with recent experience as chair and part-time CEO of the charity, Age Exchange, which works with older people to enhance their quality of life.
Knights Youth Centre
“It’s a challenge,“ says Este van der Walt, of her volunteer work with Knights Youth Centre. As staff and development officer on the management committee, Este’s task is to assess the training needs for the staff and volunteers and to identify the relevant training available. The Knights Youth Centre, which has been in service for over 70 years, provides high quality activities and learning opportunities for the young people in Lambeth, South London.
Knights Senior Youth Worker Stu Thomson speaks glowingly of Este. “We are very happy and pleased. She fits the bill with her passion for the project and ability to get the best out of the staff.”
Este, with a career background and now a full time job in corporate administration, was attracted to the opportunity at Knights as it enabled her to work closely with youth groups. Eventually, she would like to change her career course and work full time in the field.
Knights Youth Centre has called on Reach in the past. “The name always comes up,”says Stu Thomson, when looking for specific managerial volunteers.” With such skilled help, “the organisation will be able to continue to build capacity, and support and sustain the development of the service.”
To discuss your volunteering needs please contact Janet or Heena at london.communities@reach-online.org.uk Tel: 020 7840 5681.
Alternatively, click here to register a role directly.