Are you looking for a truly unique volunteering opportunity?
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office is seeking volunteers to become Independent Custody Visitors in the Loddon Valley area.
The closest most people get to looking behind the cell door is police documentaries on TV. Independent Custody Visiting is a well-established scheme whereby volunteers attend police custody suites to check on the treatment of detainees, the conditions in which they are held and that their rights and entitlements are being observed.
The scheme offers protection to detainees and provides reassurance to the wider community.
You will receive full training and support.
You will need to be over 18, and must not be a magistrate, a serving Police Officers, a member of Police Staff or have been convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment within the last five years.
The commitment is around four hours per month.
Kennet and Avon Canal Trust is seeking volunteers to crew their trip boat Matilda Too in Reading.
A trained skipper is in charge of the boat and crew members help with running the boat and looking after passengers. This is a great opportunity to learn boating skills and about the Kennet and Avon canal while interacting with passengers.
Trips are mainly at weekends but some are run during the week. There is no obligation to crew on a regular basis.
Full training will be given.
Do you have a few hours to spare on a Sunday afternoon and would you like to be involved in the work of St John & St Stephen’s Contact Centre?
They are a volunteer-run organisation that provides a safe place to allow children from separated families to reconnect with their non-resident parent and relatives.
Volunteers work as a small team to ensure a safe, friendly and calm environment for contact. When on duty (roughly every six weeks) you prepare the hall and toys, prepare the refreshments and welcome parents and children.
You need to be able to listen to children or adults who may be under stress, without judging, advising or taking sides and refer any concerns to your Team Leader.
Contact Centre volunteers make a very real difference for a significant number of families throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.
Take a look at our Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at: volunteering@rva.org.uk or call: 0118 937 2273.
