Dear Colleagues and Partners,
Happy Half Term! Whether you are away, have been away or are going away or even still working, we hope that you have been enjoying some of the recent sunshine.
Please find below news, information and articles to help keep you informed about all things going on with VASWS, across Guildford and Waverley and with some of our partner charities, organisations and community groups. Voluntary Sector Frailty Awareness Training Lunch & Learn Video with The Literacy Pirates Volunteer Coordinators - Invitation to join us during Volunteers Week Volunteer Connections visit the Co-op Volunteer Coordinators Meeting History of Guildford Railway Exhibition SCC Devolution & LGR Plan Nature Works at Denbies in Dorking Before I say Goodbye Workshops Oakleaf Article Crafting Wellness Group - Volunteers Wanted Volunteer Assistant Facilitator Vacancy Training Opportunities with LawWorks Charterpath can assist with Trustee Recruitment
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Voluntary Sector Frailty Awareness Training |
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REMINDER!
Don't forget our FREE Frailty Awareness Training for the Voluntary Sector on 10th July in Haslemere & 15th July in Cranleigh.
Sign up here for this valuable training opportunity:
Do you work with older people, vulnerable adults, or in a community care setting? If so, our Frailty Awareness Training is designed for you! This free and interactive session will equip you with essential skills to:
• Identify and assess frailty to take timely and effective action. • Promote person-centred care and improve communication with families and carers. • Manage frailty proactively with strategies that enhance physical and mental well-being. • Strengthen your practice with insights into legal, ethical, and safeguarding principles.
This is an excellent opportunity to expand your expertise and make a greater impact in your role.
📅 Training Dates & Locations: Thursday 10th July, 2:00–4:00pm at Haslewey Community Centre, Lion Green, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1LD Tuesday 15th July, 2:00–4:00pm at Rowleys Community Centre, Victoria Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8NT
This training is being offered specifically to voluntary sector staff. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills and contribute even more to the people you support.
Please use the below link to register for one of the above training sessions, most suitable for you.
Please feel free to get in touch with us should you have any questions by reaching out to Amber Linell at a.linell@vasws.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Are you looking for volunteering that’s flexible and you can do from the comfort of your own home? If yes, The Literacy Pirates might be just the opportunity for you!
Watch our recent Lunch & Learn Session with them here: |
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Invitation to all Volunteer Coordinators! |
Join us during #VolunteersWeek for a sandwich lunch and guided walk, in Godalming, on Wednesday 4th June.
Hope to see you there! |
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Volunteer Connections visit the Co-op |
Nice to see Kate, one of our lovely Volunteer Coordinators with our Volunteer Connections Team, out & about in the Co-op in Farncombe last week!
Looking to make a difference in your community? Connect with Kate at k.jones@vasws.org.uk to find out how you can get involved.' |
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Volunteer Coordinators Meeting |
Recently, we had our face to face Volunteer Coordinator’s Network in Burpham, Guildford, hosted by our Volunteer Connections Team.
A great success with organisations really coming together and making great connections. Ian Ross, our joint CEO, attended with funding advice for our attendees and is always happy to discuss with anyone who feels they need advice or support.
If you would like to join our network meetings, just let us know! |
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History of Guildford Railway Exhibition an unprecedented success! |
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Nine volunteers helped at a free event and exhibition at Guildford Railway Station on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 2, 3 and 4, to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the railway coming to the town.
Our, 'very own', David Rose of Voluntary Action South West Surrey led the group of volunteers, along with the event’s main organiser, Sara Grisewood, who is the North Downs Line officer of the Southeast Community Rail Partnership, and linking up with Network Rail and rail operating companies Southwestern Railway and Great Western Railway.
More than 400 people visited the exhibition and David, with key volunteer for the event, retired railwayman Geoff Burch, also led a guided history walk of the station itself on the Sunday to which 24 people attended.
(Text supplied by David Rose, with suitable images supplied by Geoff Burch and David. The panel was organised by Sara Grisewood with funding from Network Rail) |
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Chair of Trustees Vacancy with Home-Start Guildford |
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This is a Voluntary (unpaid) position.
Home-Start Guildford is a local charity dedicated to supporting families with young children through challenging times. Our volunteers provide practical and emotional support to help parents give their children the best possible start in life. We believe that every child deserves a happy and secure childhood, and we work tirelessly to make this a reality for families in our community.
Role Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our Board of Trustees as the Chair. The Chair will lead the Board in ensuring the effective governance of the charity, providing strategic direction, and supporting the Manager and staff team. This is a pivotal role that requires a strong leader with a passion for making a difference in the lives of families.
Contact Information: For more information about the role, please contact Sarah Black or Louisa Tompkins in the first instance via office@hsguildford.org.uk or call 01483 511181. We are happy to answer any questions and provide further details about this exciting opportunity.
How to Apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to office@hsguildford.org.uk by Monday 30th June 2025. We look forward to hearing from candidates who share our vision and are eager |
Surrey County Council: Devolution & Local Government Reorganisation |
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Please see the Partner Briefing - Final Plan from Surrey County Council, entitled:
Shaping Surrey's Future
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How to get involved Simply complete and return the attached referral form, or visit our website. Self-referrals are accepted. If you are unable to complete the form on your device, just reply to this email with your name and phone number and someone will give you a call to fill in the form over the phone. Any questions, please just let us know. And do please forward this on to anyone you think may be interested. |
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Nature Works at Denbies in Dorking |
Slightly out of our area, but ...
From the beginning of June, participants (aged 18+) can sign up for blocks (each block is usually 4 - 6 weeks long, depending on the time of year and staff availability). As we have limited places, we ask that, as much as possible, you commit to all the weeks in the block. Towards the end of each block, we will ask whether you want to sign up for the next one so we know how many places we’ll have for new people to join. This means that, as long as we have funding, you can keep coming for as long as you like! Dates: Next block is Thursday 5th June – Thursday 3rd July 2025 (5 weeks) (block dates for the rest of 2025 TBC) Location: Heritage Hub Community Garden at Denbies Times: Thursdays 10:45 – 13:15 |
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Before I Say Goodbye Workshops |
Sad to say, but we will all be affected by death and bereavement, at some points in our lives.
Dates and details are on the poster and booking ahead will help with managing numbers. |
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Excellent article in the Guildford Dragon News about the new outreach service to support women affected by gambling, provided by the charity Oakleaf
Read it here: |
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Volunteers Wanted!
Crafting Wellness Group is looking for volunteers passionate about art, crafts and tackling loneliness in the local community.
We need people to run our Social Craft Groups and be an extra set of hands in workshops, no experience necessary. If you have any access needs or questions please let us know and we will support you as best as we can.
Please use the link below to register interest via our contact form.
If you would like to receive updates on future events and opportunities please fill out the contact form on our website or add your email to the mailing list on the right hand side of the page linked below:
(Please Note: We are nut free and request you do not bring any nut products to our events) |
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Volunteer Assistant Facilitator |
Surrey Poet Laureateship—the UK’s first county laureateship, dedicated to uplifting poetry and creative expression across the region through workshops, events, competitions, and community outreach are currently seeking a volunteer Assistant Facilitator to help support their weekly Guildford Poetry Hub, which is held at the central library.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, values creativity and inclusivity, and is able to support the smooth running of regular community poetry sessions. |
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Training Opportunities with LawWorks |
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In-House Pro Bono Day 2025: 12 June, 1:00–5:30pm (in person) In June, LawWorks is partnering with law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP and other professional services firms to host a free in-person event at The Law Society in London. Join us for lunch, networking and a range of sessions, including legal roundtables where you can speak directly with in-house lawyers and business professionals for on-the-spot guidance, plus an Economic Impact Session from Pro Bono Economics. Free online legal workshops: 9th – 13th June To support charities and not-for-profits beyond London, we are running a series of one-hour online training sessions covering key legal topics such as data protection, contracts, employment, and charity governance. Help shape our autumn training for non-profits This autumn, we are planning a practical legal workshop for non-profits, which will include training on key issues and a 1:1 legal advice clinic. We are collaborating with two leading law firms and a top in-house legal team to deliver the session.
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Charterpath can assist with Trustee Recruitment |
Charterpath is an organisation that specialises in linking up charities with Finance Professionals e.g. for advertising Trustee Roles.
Check out their website here: |
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Thank you for your continued support. |
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