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Dear Colleagues and Partners,
Welcome to our March Newsletter.
We are fast approaching our Annual Conference on Tuesday 8th April at Surrey University and tickets are still available. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear our great line-up of Guest Speakers, attend a variety of informative Workshops, check out the Market Place and network with colleagues from other charities and organisations.
If you have any news items, paid or volunteer vacancies or any events coming up that you would like to include in our next Newsletter, on our social media platforms or on our website, please email: info@vasws.org.ukVASWS Annual Conference Reminder Commonwealth War Graves Cleaning Project Volunteer Connections Open Morning Lunch & Learn Wellbeing Walks Litter Pickers Needed Surrey County Council: WorkWell Initiative & Digital Support for Surrey P/T Financial Officer Vacancy with Wonersh Parish Council Sensory Services by Sigh for Surrey - Breaking Down Barriers Home Start Guildford - Part-time Community Fundraiser The Centre for Psychology - Managing Wellbeing: Pregnancy & Beyond Mind Matters NHS - Fathers' Wellbeing Group National Energy Action - Training Opportunity
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Voluntary Action South West Surrey Conference 2025 |
There's still time to book - so don't miss out!
Tuesday 8th April, 9.15am– 3.30pm Rik Medlik Building, University of Surrey |
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Kate and David, from Voluntary Action South West Surrey, are spearheading an incredibly meaningful project to clean the War Graves at The Old Stoke Cemetery, Stoughton Road, Guildford with the help of some of our veteran, ex-military and regular volunteers.
BIG shout out to Stoughton Scouts who lent us their hall for the morning which provided us with the space to make tea, coffee and prepare food, which was fantastic, plus one of their lovely ladies who came and volunteered for the whole morning!
"There were 18 of us in total in beautiful sunshine. Everyone had a great time and the headstones looked very loved when we left!" |
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Here are Kate & David sporting their official Commonwealth War Graves Volunteer T-shirts and hat.
For more information, please email: |
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Volunteer Connections Open Morning |
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David, Alice and Kate held a very successful Open Morning last week for our Volunteer Connections Project, funded by The National Lottery. We had 20 attendees from local charities and organisations as well as potential volunteers who came for coffee, cake and a chat giving the opportunity to network and share volunteering experiences.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like information about support and training available for organisations and charities across Guildford & Waverley via our Volunteer Connections Project, please email a.sheppard@vasws.org.uk or |
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Do join us for our next Lunch and Learn session on Tuesday 22nd April from 1230 to 1300 with guest speakers from The Therapy Garden and Asthma & Lung UK |
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Don't forget our monthly Wellbeing Walks with David Rose.
It does us all the power of good to get out and about in the fresh air, meet new people and get some gentle exercise.
Meet at The Hive in Park Barn, enjoy a short, friendly walk exploring the local area and round it off with an optional cuppa in the cafe.
Just turn up and join in! |
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Litter Pickers Needed
We are always looking for Volunteer Litter Pickers to join us on a litter picking session in the local community - we will provide the refreshments.
Help us make our local communities a better place to live!
Email Kate Jones at: |
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A new initiative to support the health and wellbeing of Surrey residents to stay in work. Have you been unwell and had to take time off work recently? If you’re a Surrey resident and have had time off work or are at risk of taking time off due to your health, you may be eligible for a free one-to-one confidential coach. Depending on your needs, a WorkWell coach can offer you support and help you to access specialist advice in skills and employment, mental health and physical activity within 7 days! |
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SCC - Digital Support for Surrey |
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The site has been produced by Surrey County Council with colleagues in the voluntary sector and the Surrey Digital Inclusion Steering Group, chaired by The Surrey Coalition of Disabled People. The site has information about digital support across the county, including how residents can learn new skills, access devices and SIM cards, and understand topics like broadband coverage.
This is to help us to address the 18% of adults in Surrey who currently do not possess the digital skills necessary for everyday life. You can sign up to volunteer as a digital buddy based at a Surrey Libraries UK library, or to be a Tech Angel with The Surrey Coalition of Disabled People:
Additionally, the site holds information about digital inclusion services and activities run by our partner organisations across the county, which your volunteers may find helpful for signposting residents who need a range of support. |
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The job is very flexible and based at home.
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Financial Officer, with the potential to advance to Responsible Financial Officer (RFO), for Wonersh Parish Council
£16-19 per hour, 20 hours per month with the potential to increase (negotiable)
Wonersh Civil Parish comprises three villages: Blackheath, Wonersh and Shamley Green, is looking for a Financial Officer.
The main tasks include monitor and balance Council's accounts; receive invoices for goods and services to be paid for by Council and arrange payment of these; complete VAT return; assist in compiling reports for audit purposes. |
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Breaking Down Barriers is a one day course for professionals in Surrey to gain an overview, understanding and appreciation of inclusion, accessibility and independence for and with people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted, deafblind.
With personal insight into everyday lived experience, its challenges, and opportunities, you’ll learn about the practical support available, accessible technology and communications and how we work with adults and children across Surrey.
This workshop will inspire and empower you to become a champion for access and inclusion in Surrey, helping to break down the barriers so everyone can embrace an independent life at home, at work and in our communities. |
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Home Start Guildford - P/T Community Fundraiser
New deadline: 5pm on Monday 7th April 2025.
We're seeking a dynamic and motivated person to join our team. This is a new role created to increase our financial flow and support of Home-Start Guildford.
Do you have experience in planning and organising fundraising events or researching to identify fundraising opportunities? |
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Managing Wellbeing: Pregnancy and Beyond |
Are running an online therapeutic group, taking place on Thursday 17th April 9:30am - 11:30am for 6 weeks. By utilising various Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based tools and techniques, this group aims to support parents through the variety of challenges that the perinatal period can bring. |
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are running an online Wellbeing Group for new and/or expectant Fathers. |
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National Social Value Marketplace - 'whatimpact' |
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whatimpact.com has officially launched as the United Kingdom’s first open-access National Social Value Marketplace, revolutionising how charities, social enterprises and community groups (VCSEs) connect with government suppliers and grant-makers. This free platform enables VCSEs to apply directly for funding, in-kind support, and skills-based donations—all within a streamlined system designed to foster meaningful partnerships. With over 300,000 UK charities pre-listed using Charity Commission data, alongside social enterprises and community groups, whatimpact.com makes it easier than ever for organisations to secure vital resources and drive impactful initiatives. Companies, particularly government suppliers, can search for VCSEs based on organisation type, location, and beneficiaries, ensuring support reaches the right causes.
One of the platform’s most powerful features is its hyper-local map, which now includes pins for all grant-makers, making it effortless for VCSEs to discover and connect with funders in their area. By claiming or creating a profile, organisations gain visibility, access to new opportunities, and the ability to report their impact using built-in tools that also generate unrestricted grants. whatimpact.com is calling on all VCSEs to claim their pin on the map and update their information, maximising their engagement. Join this transformative movement at no cost and be a part of reshaping how social value partnerships are formed across the UK. For more information on whatimpact’s National Social Value Marketplace, click here. Alternatively contact shona@whatimpact.com |
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National Energy Action - Training Opportunity |
National Energy Action is offering a free training opportunity to frontline staff and volunteers who work with expectant parents and families with children aged 5 and under.
COURSE AIM: The 2.5 hour course looks at the causes and impacts of fuel poverty with a focus on the health impacts in pregnancy, newborn babies and children aged 5 and under. It aims to help delegates identify those likely to be at risk from cold homes and signpost to assistance. OBJECTIVES: Explain the causes of fuel poverty and health impacts, especially in pregnancy and early months/years of life Explain the prevalence of carbon monoxide in fuel poor homes and its impacts Discuss methods of minimising carbon monoxide in the home, in addition to alleviating symptoms of fuel poverty Explore the causes of and remedies for condensation dampness, to maintain health and well-being for young babies and children Discuss how to avoid energy waste in the home
This course can be delivered online via webinar or face to face in a classroom. If you have a group of 10 or more learners, we could deliver a session specifically for your organisation. We can accommodate up to 20 learners per session. Alternatively, if you have fewer learners, we also offer some open access webinar dates for individual bookings. |
Thank you for your continued support. |
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