Voluntary Action South West Surrey


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Abbot's Hospital - helping people in need

Abbot's Hospital - local Almhouse providing much needed affordable homes

                                                 

 

Abbot’s Hospital is a local charitable almshouse providing homes to 21 households in need, within a supportive and caring environment. The almshouse, opened over 400 years ago in the Grade 1 listed historic building fronting the High Street in Guildford. It is one of the few buildings in the town that has been used continuously for its original purpose since being built and is now a very special place in the town.

We are looking for volunteers to join our great team who not only support our residents but help safeguard the building for future generations. We have a variety of opportunities available for anyone wanting to make difference to peoples lives.

If any of the opportunities below interest you, do get in touch to find out more using the application link below.

Website :  Abbot's Hospital                                                                                                                                               

 

Abbot's Hospital - volunteering opportunities

Tour guide

AH Dining hall

Volunteer Tour Guide

Abbot's Hospital have been running tours of our Grade I Jacobean almshouse for nearly 20 years and we couldn’t do it without our team of volunteer tour guides!

Our tour guides are passionate volunteers, coming from all walks of life and bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. They all have a love for the building and sharing their passion with the many visitors we receive every year. It is truly one of the town jewels

  • Tours generally run between April and October - twice a week 11am to 1pm.
  • Knowledge of local history would be an advantage, but it is not essential. Training is provided.

 

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Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (Witley Centre, Godalming)

Mission Statement

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation is a national wildlife charity (Registered Charity 1130188) committed to conserving amphibians and reptiles and saving the disappearing habitats on which they depend.

Our vision sees amphibians and reptiles thriving in their natural habitats, and a society inspired and committed to their conservation.

General Interests

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Badshot Lea and Hale PCC

Mission Statement

We are one Parish with welcoming and inclusive churches. Our vision is for the growth of God's Kingdom so we aim to: 
- Grow in Spiritual Maturity
- Grow in Numbers
- Grow Younger
- Grow in Community Engagement

General Interests

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Compassion in World Farming

Mission Statement

Compassion in World Farming was founded 50 years ago in 1967 by a British farmer who became horrified by the development of modern, intensive factory farming.

Today we campaign peacefully to end all factory farming practices. We believe that the biggest cause of cruelty on the planet deserves a focused, specialised approach – so we are relentlessly focused on ending factory farming.

General Interests

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ENGLISH REGIONAL TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

Mission Statement

The English Regional Transport Association(ERTA)is a voluntary membership-based, pro-public transport improvement association with several of its projects having a nation-wide positive benefit and impact. Membership is open to all.

 

General Interests

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Girlguiding Surrey West - Herons Wey (Farnham)

If you love the outdoors and would like young people to get the chance to enjoy it too, then welcome to Herons Wey.  Herons Wey is a 52 acre campsite in Tilford owned by Girlguiding Surrey West since 1977.  Completely run by volunteers, we are looking for as much help as we can find to maintain and improve what we offer.  We look forward to meeting you.

Mission Statement

Girlguiding is the largest organisation for girls and young women in the UK.  The aim is to sustain and promote a stimulating and enjoyable programme of activities.  These will help girls and young women develop their potential and enable them to play an active role in their community.

General Interests

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Guildford Environmental Forum

Would you like to help make Guildford a more sustainable community? 

About us

                                       

Guildford Environment Forum are a Surrey based charity with a 25 year long history. We work to make Guildford (and the world beyond) a more sustainable place by educating, informing, cutting energy use, reducing ecological footprints, helping wildlife and tackling climate change. We work on local government climate Change committees, and run various hands-on projects that generate action on the environment within our local community. 

Volunteer with us

Honorary Treasurer - Posted 20th March 2023

Hon. Treasurer – Guildford Environment Forum

 

Salary: Voluntary (expenses paid)

Hours: approx. 2 hours per week

 

Guildford Environment Forum are a Surrey based charity with a 30 year long history. We work to make Guildford (and the world beyond) a more sustainable place by educating, informing, cutting energy use, reducing ecological footprints, helping wildlife and tackling climate change. We work on local government Climate Change committees, and run various hands-on projects that generate action on the environment within our local community. To find out more about our work to date, please visit http://www.guildfordenvironment.org.uk/.

 

We are looking for a motivated volunteer, passionate about our natural environment, to contribute towards raising the profile of GEF’s work with the aim of keeping the accounting records of the charity.  

 

Ideally, the candidate will possess the following skills and experience:

  • Competence in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and standard software accounts (quite simple to operate – Moneydance instruction available).
  • Database skills as we use the membermojo software to manage memberships. The database is managed by a membership officer.
  • Ability to operate on line banking – Lloyds Bank.

 

As the post is voluntary the specific responsibilities within the role will be negotiable, but would ideally include:

  • Recording an average of 20 transactions a month on Moneydance accounting software.
  • Reconciling Moneydance monthly to bank statements (available online).
  • Preparing quarterly accounts for Exec meetings, which summarise the finances since the last accounts and compare actual with budget and help inform the Chair and the Exec.
  • Reconciling subscription income (jointly with Membership Officer) of all income due from members, both new and existing.
  • Making annual gift-aid claims and collecting up to £1kpa from HMRC.
  • Paying bills or grants as they arise – about one a week – mainly online.
  • Attending quarterly meetings of the Exec Committee (optional).
  • Monitoring Restricted Funds (monies received for specific purposes)- currently the Rosamund garden, Swift funds and the Community Hub project (optional).

 

The ideal time commitment we are looking for would be 2 hours per week at whatever time suits the applicant. Specifics of the role will be negotiable, dependent on the applications received. All expenses will be covered.

 

If you are interested and able to volunteer for GEF in the above capacity then please do get in touch with Adrian Thompson by clicking on the Fill in an Application button an he will get back to you for a chat.

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Guildford Mukono Link

Mission Statement

The Guildford Mukono (Uganda) Link was established in 2003 to foster an understanding between the communities of Guildford and Mukono. It is through friendship that we have found many ways of working together.

In Guildford, there are 10 Linked schools, Surrey University and individuals are involved in various projects. Some initiatives have arisen because a need has been identified, others have resulted from spontaneous ideas from chance meetings.  All are based on respect for each other’s culture and institutions.

We have an active committee of 10 people and have 200 supporters. There are regular visits to Mukono and reciprocal visits to Guildford.


General Interests

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Hive Helpers

Mission Statement

Hive Helpers' Mission is to:

INSPIRE care for pollinators - through beekeeping and connecting with the local community

IMPACT positively on local habitats - through nature conservation and raising awareness

IMPROVE mental and physical wellbeing - through mindful and empowering outdoor activities

General Interests

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Museum of Farnham

Mission Statement

The Museum of Farnham is housed in Willmer House, a Grade I listed building with many original features and a delightful walled garden.

Here you can discover the tales of William Cobbett and George Sturt whilst marveling at the inventions of John Henry Knight. Over the years Farnham has been home to many artists and craftsmen and the Museum has a fine collection by local artists including Stephen Elmer, WH Allen, Harold Falkner and Sir John Verney, as well as Farnham Greenware.

Our local studies library is a treasure trove of information on Farnham which cannot be found anywhere else. We have maps, census data, parish records, electoral rolls, street directories, newspapers, a photographic archive and more.

The walled garden is a hidden treasure of Farnham, with a tranquil and serene feel year round. Our Garden Gallery is a popular venue and available for hire for parties, exhibitions, talks and much more.

General Interests

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Painshill Park Trust (Cobham)

General Interests

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Pewley Down Volunteers

Mission Statement

Pewley Down is a Local Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Guildford Borough Council. Pewley Down is chalk grassland, renowned for its unusual flowers, and the butterflies which depend on these. Pewley Down Volunteers have been conserving the Down for wildlife for over twenty years.

Volunteers work under the guidance of Pewley Down Volunteers Group Leaders.

We meet on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year, at 10am by the Pewley Hill entrance to the Down. Work parties go on until 2pm. Drinks & biscuits are provided. Volunteers should wear strong boots as the ground is uneven, with lots of rabbit holes. Participation by Duke of Edinburgh Award Candidates is encouraged. The main work is to keep the scrub under control, using saws, rakes and loppers. We also monitor plants and insects on site.

General Interests

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Puttenham Barn

Mission Statement

http://www.puttenhamcampingbarn.co.uk/images/barn%20open%20day%20small.jpg

 

Puttenham Barn is run by a small environmental charity called Project Oasis North Downs (POND).

Its mission is to provide simple inexpensive overnight accommodation in a 250 year old barn, in an environmentally responsible way.

It is aimed at walkers, cyclists & people enjoying the surrounding beautiful countryside.

The Barn has many environmental features including solar panels (on its bike shed!), rainwater harvesting & local varieties of apple trees in the garden.

We aim to open at weekends, during school holidays and on as many other nights as we can between Easter & October.

 

Volunteering Opportunities

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Rosamund Guildford Community Garden

Mission Statement

Our garden in the sweeping hills of the North Downs overlooking Guildford and its surrounding countryside are home to many species. We are working together with the Wildlife Trust and Guildford Environmental Forum, planting hedges and trees and we are currently planning to improve and extend our existing pond area to include a bog garden and boardwalk. In the food garden we grow a variety of flowers to attract bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, we also leave some areas wild which allows the wildflowers and grasses to undergo their natural life cycles and provide homes for the bugs, beetles and spiders that are the natural predators to many of the pest of cultivated food crops. We have incorporated permaculture principles into our garden to preserve the balance of nature and often use companion planting so we can manage pests without the need for the pesticides which are so commonly used elsewhere. Our no-dig methods and use of green manures maintain the soil integrity, allowing the vital mycellium to remain intact to transport sugars to the plants. In the meadows outside the food garden there are over 100 different species of plant like wild orchids. Many animals like Skylarks and other birds also live their lives and breed in the sky, ground, hedges, trees and meadows around the food garden. We have an active badger sett and regular fox visitors as well as hedgehogs and slow-worms.

General Interests

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Sayers Croft Trust (Ewhurst)

Mission Statement

To provide an outdoor learning centre for use by schools and other groups at which an individuals' awareness of, and concern for, the natural environment is increased.

We aim to provide a safe and secure residential facility,offering quality first hand outdoor experiences through promoting;

Environmental appreciation and understanding

Social cohesion through shared experience

Individual self confidence and self awareness

Sustainability of the environments

General Interests

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Surrey Arts Wardrobe (Guildford)

Mission Statement

The Surrey Arts Wardrobe is a theatrical costume hire department run by Surrey County Council. Initially set up in the late 1970s as a community resource housing costumes for various groups and schools the collection now all belongs to Surrey County Council and is available for hire.

General Interests

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Surrey Care Trust - Swingbridge Community Project (Guildford)

Mission Statement

Tackle disadvantage, social exclusion and hardship in local communities and to help people improve their life chances. We will reach out to people to equip them with the skills to improve their economic situation, to reduce their social isolation and to convince them that they have a valuable contribution to make to society.

 

Amongst the ways this is achieved are:

 

Helping people to help themselves for the longer term by providing life-changing opportunities through education and training.

  • Running innovative programmes designed to keep disaffected and vulnerable young people in education, either at mainstream school or at one of our own learning centres, so that they achieve the skills and self-confidence they need for a successful and fulfilling life.
  • Offering second chance learning and training to people of all ages whose lack of skills limits their opportunities and leaves them economically vulnerable.
  • Making training and education programmes available to offenders and ex-offenders, both to improve their own life chances and to create safer communities by helping to reduce re-offending.


General Interests

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Surrey Hills Society

Mission Statement

Surrey Hills Society - Discover and help conserve our National landscape The Surrey Hills Society is an independent charity formed 15 years ago.  It promotes the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is in the course of being rebranded as one of the UK’s National Landscapes. We encourage those who live, work in, or visit the area to explore and learn about the special qualities and distinctiveness of the area.  The Society also uses its extensive network to actively promote the conservation and enjoyment of the Surrey Hills.

In June 2019 the Society was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which is the highest award for volunteer groups to recognise outstanding work done in their communities and is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.

Our mission is summarised by four words: Conserve, Inspire, Educate and Enjoy.

For further information visit our website.

General Interests

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Sussex Wildlife Trust

Mission Statement

 

Do you want to help the Sussex Wildlife Trust make a difference?

Inspiring local people to get involved in our work is a really important part of what we do. You can join in with 30,000 other people across Sussex who are passionate about making a difference for nature locally.

Whether you want to get outdoors and volunteer on one of our reserves, or participate by relaxing at home and making a donation - there are so many things to do to help.

Together we can make sure that future generations living in Sussex will be able to enjoy the sense of wonder and well-being that nature offers. Together we can make Sussex life richer.

 

General Interests

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The Rural Life Living Museum (Farnham)

Mission Statement

The Rural Life Centre is a museum that focuses on life in a rural village. This includes static and moving displays, many preserved buildings and rural crafts. We hold many events and courses to preserve the old skills and crafts. Please see our web site at www.rural-life.org.uk for more details. 

General Interests

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The Spike Heritage Centre (Guildford)

Mission Statement

To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Charlotteville and the neighbourhood (hereinafter called ‘the area of benefit’) without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political or religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisation in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

To establish or secure the establishment of a Community Centre and to maintain the same, whether alone or in co-operation with any local statutory authority or other person or body in furtherance of these objects.

General Interests

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The Therapy Garden (Normandy)

Mission Statement

The Therapy Garden is a registered charity based in Normandy Village, consisting of one acre of community garden which is managed by a team of horticulturalists, staff and volunteers to provide gardening and horticulture therapy to the more vulnerable members of society. We provide practical horticulture therapy to adults and young people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and physical disabilities.

Our ‘Green School’, enables young people aged 14-19 with learning difficulties such as autism, Down’s Syndrome and Asperger’s to achieve a City & Guilds qualification “Skills for Working Life: Horticulture” in a safe and structured environment. Students are referred to us and funded by mainstream and specialist schools in Surrey and Hampshire and many have gone on to achieve a college place or ongoing employment.

The Therapy Garden is currently organising ‘taster days’ for other groups in the local community such as brain injury and stroke victims and Dementia sufferers and we are able to plan bespoke activities that are tailored to individual client needs.

Uncategorized

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Waverley Borough Council-Parks & CountrySide

General Interests

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West Horsley Place Trust

Mission Statement

West Horsley Place is a Grade I listed mediaeval manor house and estate of great beauty and historic significance. The manor house dates from 1425, though there has been a building on site since Saxon times. Our recent work to conserve and maintain the house has made our principal rooms safe and comfortable for public access, but the house remains on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.  

The West Horsley Place Trust aims to bring the house, gardens, 380-acre estate and eight Grade II listed outbuildings back into good repair and to improve people's wellbeing through art, culture, heritage & nature.

We will give people freedom to explore and discover, to create stories and become part of ours. 

VISION

  • To bring about a quiet revolution in the way an historic house and estate is managed
  • To be a place that improves people’s wellbeing through culture, heritage and nature

MISSION

  • To be sustainable, financially, environmentally and socially
  • To be a catalyst for creativity
  • To conserve the listed buildings in our care so that they are no longer on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register
  • To provide learning and engagement opportunities in culture, heritage and nature
  • To broaden our audience by being welcoming, inclusive and accessible
  • To enhance the natural landscape through increasing biodiversity and habitat connectivity

General Interests

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Wey & Arun Canal Trust

General Interests

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