Voluntary Action South West Surrey


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- Zero Carbon Guildford

If you are concerned about the environment, want to make a difference but don't know how then volunteering with ZERO is a good place to start.  We run a town centre hub which acts as the focal point for building a community led climate action plan. ZERO hosts a wide range of projects and events, installations and exhibitions, talks and workshops, and lots more, to help drive engagement in climate action. We are always looking for people who are able to volunteer on a regular basis to help us operate.   We  have a number of different roles within the community hub so if you are interested in helping out then we would love to hear from you

About Zero

                                                         

Zero Carbon Guildford is a charity set up to enable local community action to tackle the climate and ecological crisis and associated social issues.

Zero Carbon Guildford operates a Community Hub, in the centre of Guildford, to enable the community to come together to tackle these issues.  

The Hub includes a café, houses our many projects  and showcases ways local people can make changes to help Guildford's journey towards a zero-carbon future. 

 

Volunteer for Zero

ZERO Volunteer

 

If you have ever wanted to make a difference for the environment but not known how, volunteering with Zero Carbon Guildford  is one of the best things you can do.

There are many different ways you can get involved as a volunteer; you could become one of our speakers helping us to spread our message, help with our Saturday town centre outreach, you could join one of our projects such as the library of things, water rangers or the community fridge.  Or if you have limited time available for volunteering you can become one of our supporters and help us champion our work.   No prior experience or knowledge is needed as we will give you training, but you do need to be passionate about the environment and want to help us achieve our aim of helping Guildford reach carbon neutrality by 2030.   

To find out more about how you can get involved, fill in our application form and we'll be in touch soon. 

 

Minimum age for volunteering is 14 and Duke of Edinburgh students are welcome.

 

 

 

 

Fill in an application

British Regional Transport Association

Mission Statement

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

 

General Interests

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Deafblind UK

Mission Statement

Deafblind UK is the UK’s only charity specialising in supporting people with any level of deafblindness. We support people to live with their condition and to build their confidence and independence. We offer understanding and advice as well as practical support, residential support, care and social opportunities. We also lead research to help the world live better with deafblindness.

General Interests

Parent support group volunteer

 

As a Parent support group volunteer at our monthly get together in Guildford on a Wednesday morning , you’ll support parents of deafblind children of all ages in a group setting. A friendly face at the group, you’ll welcome and talk to people to help them feel comfortable, encourage conversation and make sure they’re offered refreshments. You’ll also help set up and tidy away at the end of the group.

There is also an opportunity to work with our Schools Liaison Officer to help contact and organise external speakers to attend the group.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to meet new friends, learn new skills, have fun and make a difference supporting your community. We reimburse all travel costs and provide full training and ongoing support.

Your involvement in this role will ensure parents of deafblind children are able to meet others in a similar situation, access the support and information they need and enjoy meaningful activities. You’ll be great for the role if:

You have good verbal communication and listening skills

You enjoy meeting new people and being part of a team

You are aware of or are willing to learn about deafblindness

You can demonstrate empathy and compassion

You are over the age of 18

To find out more - click here

 

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Guide Dogs

Mission Statement

Our Purpose: To provide life-changing services for the independence of people living with sight loss and their friends and family.

Our Ambition: A future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support to live their lives to the fullest.

Our Behaviours:

We are

Person-centred

Experts

Optimistic

so we can:

Partner

Lead by example

Engage

General Interests

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Guildford Twinning Association

What does the Guildford Twinning Association do?

Guildford Twinning Association is a voluntary group which supports the town twinning of Guildford with the beautiful city of Freiburg in Southwest Germany. We promote international friendship, understanding and co-operation. We do this by:

  • helping people in both towns to learn about each other and make friends
  • supporting/managing exchanges: schools, sport, arts, music, social
  • helping people in both towns to work together
  • running events: social, arts, educational, fund-raising

See our website at guildfordtwinning.uk

General Interests

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Halow project (Guildford)

Mission Statement

To make a difference

About us

The halow project is a growing community-based charity, situated in Guildford, Surrey. We support young people, aged 16+, with a learning disability on their journey into adult life.

The young people we work with want the opportunity to:

  • Build relationships
  • Become part of the community
  • Find meaningful employment
  • Have a home of their own

We believe that the young people we support have the right to be part of and respected in their communities and are entitled to a life they choose in ways which best suit them. halow is committed to developing creative opportunities and removing social barriers.

General Interests

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Home-Start Guildford

Mission Statement

"There for parents when they need us most, because childhood can't wait"

Parents Supporting Other Parents - a simple idea that really works!

Home-Start Guildford has been supporting local families across the Guildford Borough for over 25 years. 

We're a non-judgemental organisations that helps local parents who are struggling, for any reason. Some of those reasons may include; multiple births, mental health, an abusive partner, isolation, mental or physical handicap, or the pressure that loss of employment brings to a family.

 

What we do

Our charity provides a preventative service that aims to support families who are struggling by offering regular volunteer support to parents with at least one child under the age of 5, usually referred to us by Health Visitors.

We provide one-to-one support for parents:
Our volunteers visit the family’s home for a couple of hours every week.  They tailor-make their support to the needs of the parents and children. Volunteers are very committed and will keep visiting until the youngest child turns five or starts school, or until the parents feel they can stand on their own two feet.  Parents and volunteers often develop a deeply trusting relationship which can lead to powerful change within the family.

We also run two family groups for referred families, one in the Pirbright Community Centre and the other in the Guildford Family Group, Hazel Avenue.

 

Our values

  • We offer families choice
  • We work in partnership - with each other, with families and with other agencies
  • We work in a spirit of openness, encouragement and enjoyment
  • We are flexible and responsive to the needs of families

 

Volunteering Opportunities 

There are several ways that you can help in a voluntary capacity:

  • by supporting a family as a Home-Visiting Volunteer
  • by helping at one of our Family Groups
  • by joining the Trustee Board
  • by becoming a Friend of Home-Start Guildford
  • by supporting us as a Digital / Office Volunteer

Please see the volunteer roles listed for more detail.

 

General Interests

Fundraising Trustee

 

This is a Voluntary (unpaid) position.

Do you have experience running or supporting your local PTA teams or raising funds for other charities?

Do you have free time on your hands, feel passionate about helping families in need and want to make a real direct impact on your local community?

Do you have experience organising, coordinating and running local fundraising events?

If you can answer Yes to the above questions, then we would love to talk to you about joining our team of Trustees here at Home-Start Guildford. You would be supporting and helping our part-time Community Fundraiser in their day-to-day efforts across the community.

 

About Us

Home-Start Guildford is an independent charity based in Guildford committed to promoting the welfare of local families and children. We are part of Home-Start UK, one of the UK’s leading family support charities, benefiting from their policy framework and quality assurance, but not funding. Staff and volunteers offer regular support, including providing emotional and practical help to families in the families’ own homes and connecting families with specialist services within the community.

 

A little bit about you…

  • Enthusiasm to work collaboratively as part of a small, ambitious team
  • Happy to be proactive and roll up your sleeves with a “can do” attitude
  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise
  • Friendly and approachable; honest and trustworthy

 

A little bit about the role…

  • Raising awareness of Home-Start Guildford and the work we do with families, galvanizing support from the local community and local businesses and organisations
  • Recognising fundraising opportunities; Making introductions to key community figures, groups and networks (e.g., MP’s, mayors, golf clubs, tennis clubs, Rotary clubs)
  • Using your network, hustle and passion to bring your fundraising projects to fruition

 

Your time commitment

  • If you have spare time and want to make a difference, we would love you to join the team and help us roll out our 2025 diverse funding strategy.
  • We anticipate 2 – 4 hours of your time a week, but this may increase during the build up to events.

What does becoming a trustee involve?

As part of the trustee role, you will be expected to:

  • Attend, and prepare for, a minimum of six meetings per year.
  • Undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
  • Undergo a selection process as outlined by Home-Start Guildford.
  • Commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined in the charity’s Constitution (‘Foundation’ model constitution).
  • Visit and engage with the office and staff to enhance your understanding of how Home-Start Guildford works.

Training and Support?

Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start at the start of their new role; they will receive:

  • An online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities.
  • Training in key areas including safeguarding.
  • Reimbursement of paid expenses.
  • Access to Home-Start’s online community via HSUK intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start.
  • Tailored support by other trustees and staff.

What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation?

  • An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context.
  • An opportunity to influence and collectively lead an organisation supporting families of young children.
  • A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work.
  • A chance to augment your experience of charities.
  • A boost to your career and CV, if needed.
  • Satisfaction of helping an organisation that supports families, thus giving something back to your community.
  • Induction training from us; training, support, and assistance from local charity-support & advice agencies; reimbursement of reasonable expenses, if needed.

What do we get?

  • Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding, or experience.
  • Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future, especially in this cost-of-living crisis.
  • Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our operational growth.
  • Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work.
  • Your enthusiasm.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to office@hsguildford.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from candidates who share our vision and are eager to contribute to our mission.

Contact Information: For more information about the role, please contact Sarah Black or Louisa Tompkins in the first instance at office@hsguildford.org.uk or call 01483 511181. We are happy to answer any questions and provide further details about this exciting opportunity.

All prospective volunteers must have the legal right to stay in the United Kingdom and you will be asked to produce evidence of this as part of the induction process.

 

Office: Home-Start Guildford, Astolat, Coniers Way, Guildford, GU4 7HL

Contact: 01483 511181 / office@hsguildford.org.uk

Home-Start is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity.

Home-Start Guildford is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Registered Charity No. 1154609

Volunteer for the Friends of HSG Group

 
We’re excited to be launching the 'Friends of Home-Start Guildford Group' and are looking for volunteers.
Initially the aim of the group will be:
  • Research opportunities and appropriate events where HSG can promote their services / recruit volunteers
  • Organise a HSG stall and the volunteers to support this
  • Plan, organise and run fundraising events eg coffee mornings, craft events
  • Support others who are fundraising for us
  • Build networks with local businesses to raise our profile and encourage them to support our work
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to support Home-Start Guildford but doesn’t feel that the home visiting role is right for them.
 
What we can offer you:
  • A chance to learn new skills
  • A chance to gain experience in event management
  • The opportunity to make new friends and build social networks
  • The opportunity to contribute to vital work supporting families with young children
Next Steps:
We will be shortly planning an initial meeting to get the group up and running, and if you register your interest, we will be in touch soon to confirm next steps.
 
If you would like to find out more, to make an enquiry, please fill in an application and someone will be in touch with you. 
 
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Horsley and Bookham Riding for the Disabled Association

Mission Statement

Horsley, Bookham & Leatherhead Riding for the Disabled Association is a registered charity which provides facilities to benefit disabled children and young adults by having regular contact with horses.

We have been operating for over 30 years giving rides to children and young adults with physical and learning disabilities in Surrey. Our riders include those with autism, Down's Syndrome, spina bifida and dyspraxia.

Each week, with the assistance of our coaches and volunteers, our riders can enjoy the horse riding experience. This provides them with the chance to be independent, to feel a sense of achievement and it puts smiles on their faces!  If proof is needed of the therapeutic effect of riding, we had one little boy who had never spoken before and whose first word was the name of his pony.

Our dedicated team of volunteer coaches, group leaders and helpers is paramount to our continued success, without whom we could not operate. 

We are always looking for volunteers and sponsors, and welcome any contribution which will help keep this wonderful community effort going.

General Interests

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Human Appeal

Mission Statement

We are an international relief and development agency that asks the question, what makes us human? We think the answer is caring for others and changing their lives for the better. That’s what we’ve been doing for over 25 years.

We started in a small flat in Manchester, UK, and this year we have worked in 24 countries, providing humanitarian aid that saves and transforms lives. That’s what makes us Human Appeal.

Our generous donors, supporters and partners have helped us work towards our mission for the past 25+ years. They give us Human Appeal.

General Interests

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Jigsaw Trust (Cranleigh)

Mission Statement

Jigsaw Trust is committed to raising awareness of autism and to providing facilities, services and resources for the education, integration, guidance, assessment, outreach and support of people affected
by autism.

General Interests

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Mary's Meals

Mission Statement

Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things. Working together with those who share our vision, we believe there is no good reason why this cannot be realised.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from many walks of life and different backgrounds. Our mission is to enable people to offer their money, goods, skills, time, or prayer, and through this involvement, provide the most effective help to those suffering the effects of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest communities.

Volunteer Roles

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MS Society Surrey Group

Mission Statement

Our vision
A world free from the effects of MS.
Our mission
To enable everyone affected by MS to
live life to their full potential and secure the
care and support they need, until we
ultimately find a cure.

General Interests

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Police Care UK

Mission Statement

Police Care UK is a charity for serving and veteran police officers and staff, volunteers, and their families who have suffered any physical or psychological harm as a result of policing.

We are independent of the police service, and are funded entirely by donations and fundraising – we receive no money from government or forces for our work.

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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Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

General Interests

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Rowleys Centre for the Community Cranleigh

Mission Statement

Rowleys Centre for the Community  is situated in the heart of the centre of Cranleigh. We pride ourselves on being a community venue offering many additional advantages to the local community beyond the purpose for which it was initially intended.  Providing high quality services to maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of our local community is at the heart of what we do.

Purpose

Rowleys primarily offers a place for the older population to socialise, keep physically active, stay connected and acquire new skills, which has a positive impact on their overall health and wellbeing and supports reducing social isolation.

Whilst our main aim is to promote the wellbeing of all older people and assist them in making later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience we would like to ensure the Community Centre is open to all and available for other groups to utilise outside of the core offer.

 

 

General Interests

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RSPCA Guildford and Epsom Branch

Volunteering is fun, rewarding and plays a critical role in our work to improve animal welfare. Take a look at our latest opportunities on offer.

In particular we are keen to hear from potential fosterers. Fostering is a really rewarding way to help. For many animals being in a foster home is an essential step on their road to a forever home.

 

Mission Statement

The charitable objectives of the RSPCA are to promote kindness and prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means.

 

The branch promotes animal welfare in the local area primarily through veterinary assistance, neutering and re-homing. We run a voucher scheme which assists local people with veterinary bills for treatment and neutering. It also helps to control dog and cat populations, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

 

The branch assists the RSPCA animal centres, mainly Millbrook and South Godstone, with re-homing unwanted and abused animals by home-visiting.  We also pay for veterinary treatment of stray animals and wildlife attended to by the Inspectorate in our branch area.

 

The RSPCA provides advice for owners on animal care. It also helps animals brought to us for rehoming because their owners are unable or unwilling to keep them. Ill treated or injured animals are cared for by the Society. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.

 

We have a website to raise awareness of the activities of the branch and to help members get more involved. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fundraising and home visiting. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.

 

We also have to fundraise to enable us to continue with our charitable work. The RSPCA receives no government or lottery funding.

General Interests

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Sime gallery CIO

Mission Statement

Sidney Herbert Sime (1865-1941), Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall GU3 3RF.

A talented illustrator, oil painter, landscapes and caricatures of the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Sime Gallery is a unique collection of 800 pieces of his work. He lived from 1904-1941 in Worplesdon and after his widow Mary's death in 1949 his works were bequeathed to the trustees of Worplesdon Memorial Hall. Today, the collection is known as Sime Gallery, a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). The objective is to preserve the collection and make it available for the public to view.

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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The Cheryl King Trust

Helping financially disadvantaged young people to make music

CKT believes no young person should be precluded from taking music lessons because either their parents cannot afford them or they are not inspired to take up lessons.  

 

We help fund music lessons for financially disadvantaged children and young people in Surrey whatever their level of musical development and tries to level the music playing field by funding inspirational performances to encourage children to take up instruments in schools where historically take up has been low.   

General Interests

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The Clockhouse Day Centre (Milford)

Mission Statement

We offer a warm and friendly environment for the over 50's where members can meet new friends, take part in our many activities or join us for outings or holidays. 

The Clockhouse is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-3.30pm. We provide a range of services including hairdressing, chiropody, reflexology, hearing and sight tests. 

We offer a in-expensive 2 course homemade lunch with a variety of alternatives on a daily basis as well as a snack bar offering hot drinks, biscuits and homemade cakes. 

General Interests

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The National Childbirth Trust

Mission Statement

Our vision is that everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected, and safe because we believe parents help build the foundations of the future.

Every year we support over 250,000 parents across the UK and Channel Islands on their unique journeys through pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, and early parenthood.

We are the charity that supports people as they become parents.

General Interests

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Tools with a Mission

General Interests

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Wintershall (Bramley)

Mission Statement

The Wintershall Plays bring the story of Jesus Christ to life today.

General Interests

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