Voluntary Action South West Surrey

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Values of Scouting
As Scouts we are guided by these values:
Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others.
Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.

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.

The Bourne Conservation Group is a friendly group of volunteers that enjoy working together in the fresh air to improve the local environment.  The aim of the Group is to improve The Bourne area of South Farnham by maintaining and enhancing its landscape and biodiversity with due regard to its historical associations.

Membership is open to all and consists of men and women from many walks of life.  There are a wide range of tasks to be undertaken and this provides interest and enjoyment for a spread of knowledge, aptitudes and physical abilities.

Projects we are involved in include:

Improvement of Bourne Crossroads embankment and flower bed

Improvement of the Bourne Gateway - spring bulbs on the A287 & Ridgeway School planting

Woodland Management in association with Waverley District Council and the private landowner of Sable Wood

Middle Bourne Lane Community Wildlife Garden

The Old Churchyard

Public Footpath maintenance

The Bourne Stream project

Bourne Beautification in association with The Bourne Residents Association

Historical Projects

As a mental health charity, we aim to promote mental health and wellbeing throughout the Coast West Sussex area.

Respecting individual needs and the rights of individuals to have control of their lives, we aim to empower people with mental health needs to be as independent as possible and help them to benefit from optimum support and activities in their community.

We are committed to challenging stigma and barriers in the community, for people with mental health needs.

We provide or support 7 projects throughout the Chichester area helping people to:

•  Strengthen their self-esteem and self-confidence.
•  Build and maintain strong personal and social relationships.
•  Enjoy positive community experiences.
•  Achieve their personal and social goals.

Our projects in the Chichester focus on these areas:

•  Work with older people
•  Work with young people
•  Work in the community

“Fostering cross-cultural understanding and friendship by providing young people with quality opportunities for international volunteering, work experience, education and training”

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.

Founded in 2008, Farnham Community Farm, previously known as Farnham Local Food, is a community-run project supported by volunteer labour. Our aim is to provide fresh, locally-grown vegetables for people in and around the Farnham area.

Here’s some of the things we are proud of:

•    We care about the environment and our produce has virtually no food miles.

•    Our vegetables are the freshest in town, usually picked on the same day they are collected.

•   Same day freshness guarantees our veg maintain valuable nutrients which are lost in mass produced supermarket veg that has travelled for miles to reach your table.

•    We can grow varieties purely for taste rather than transportability.

•    Although not certified, we use organic practices to grow our veg which means everything is free of pesticides.

•    All our members have the opportunity to actively help out with the scheme.

We currently have places within our scheme if you would like to buy produce weekly.  There are a three different sizes of veg share available at competitive prices, please refer to our weekly veg bag page for more information.

As with all community projects we always need more help in all areas of our scheme.  If you think FCF is something you may enjoy being part of then come along and see us. All ages, all abilities, everyone is welcome.  We hope to see you there.

Surrey Reuse Network is a group of six social enterprise charities working together in partnership to reduce landfill and help their communities by providing affordable furniture for all throughout Surrey.

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.

Surrey Lifelong Learning Partnership is a local charity based in Knaphill. We provide support to people of all ages who are seeking meaningful employment but haven't been able to find it for various reasons. It could be illness or disability, redundancy or simply a lack of confidence in general. Whatever the reason, we will work with the individual to rebuild their confidence and give them the skills they need to get back into the workplace.

Golo is a small society lottery, run like a raffle, to raise funds for local causes in Godalming, and to foster community spirit

The Godalming Lottery was started by the Go-Godalming Association in 2008 to raise funds for local causes.  It remains the only independent town lottery of this type in the country.  It's a Small Society lottery run like a raffle with cash prizes.  Tickets (Golos) cost £1 each and are on sale throughout the town.  At the end of each month we have a Draw in the centre of town and give away 17 cash prizes totalling £1000, top prize £500.  All our remaining proceeds (at least 20% of our gross takings each month) go to local causes which anyone from Godalming can suggest.  We have currently given away ~£27,000 to schools, day centres, sports clubs, the museum, arts and community projects and many others.  The complete list of our contributions, with photos, is available on our website.  Here's just a few: We've bought computers to help elderly people learn to surf the net, goals for a children's football team, a keyboard for Godalming Theatre Group, our Jubilee Beacon, patient's tables for Milford Hospital, equipment for an eco-pond at a local school, theatre trips for young carers, and Christmas hampers for disadvantaged families.

Unllike most charity lotteries, most of our sales are done personally rather than online.  Just as important as raising the money for our causes is the community spirit Golo helps nurture.  It truly is a 'win win' initiative.   Shops which sell Golos benefit from increased footfall.  Our £500 winner each month is presented with their cheque at the outlet where the winning ticket was sold which is great publicity.  We invite sponsorshop which helps cover our printing costs and is a wonderful way for local businesses to raise their profile locally and is highly cost effective.

Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. 

We are independent. We don’t accept any funding from governments, corporations or political parties – our work is funded by ordinary people. That means we are free to confront governments and corporations responsible for the destruction of the natural world and push for real change. 

We do this by investigating, documenting and exposing the causes of environmental destruction. We work to bring about change by lobbying, consumer pressure and mobilising members of the general public. And we take peaceful direct action to protect our Earth and promote solutions for a green and peaceful future. 

We have over 50 Local Groups across the UK, including in Surrey, who support with our campaigns and fundraising through a variety of activities.

The Medical Cadet Training Corps provides an environment where young people can learn, practice, focus, enjoy, feel safe and develop leadership skills in the following subjects, Military knowledge of the field gun, Physical fitness, social skills and extensive first aid training, we are also keen on teaching cadets ethical decision making and providing help to the community. The MCTC is able to reach at-risk young people and offer much needed care and support. For these aspirations to become reality however, it is essential that the MCTC is seen to be firmly rooted within the life of the wider community, and supported by all organisations, businesses, charities, schools, the local authority and anyone that is there to support children in our community, and that wherever possible, young people are provided with the opportunity to participate in the life of that community. Through the programmes, activities and ethos of the MCTC, the officers and instructors guide and support young people and act as mentors and role models in their personal, social and physical development. The programmes that the MCTC provides will create opportunity for the young people to develop into mature and responsible adults who will play an important role within their communities and wider society.

regards

I Clarke (MCTC CEO and Commandant)

CHARITABLE OBJECTS

To promote the advancement of education in the Christian values of justice and peace by charitable means, in particular by:

• promoting the work of justice and peace;
• working in conjunction with the Roman Catholic bishops of England and Wales and their agencies to advance the practice of social teaching of the catholic church by the encouragement and support of diocesan Justice and Peace groups and other bodies that share their concern to bring the good news of Christ's love and peace to people who are disadvantaged and to work to empower them to improve their circumstances;
• promoting appropriate prayer, study, celebration and spirituality within religious practice to inspire solidarity with those in need;
• raising awareness about social justice, non violence, ecological and human rights issues as central to the life of the church and beneficial to the well-being of the community;
• encouraging and promoting work, action and campaigning for social change on issues of justice and peace by raising awareness through provision of training, workshops, conferences, publications and the like; and building networks with all those who share our vision and aims, promoting communication to seek collaboration over action, resources, methods and good practice.
• in pursuing the objects, the network shall be non-party in politics and shall, in its own activities, implement an effective equal opportunities policy.

To work with partners to ensure that those, in Surrey and beyond, who have missed out on learning in the past, have opportunities to learn and to reach their full potential.

Pewley Down is your 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.

The volunteers work under the guidance of the countryside team.

We meet on the first Saturday of every month throughout the year, at 10:00, by the Pewley Hill entrance. Work parties go on till 1400. Drinks & biscuits provided. Volunteers should wear strong boots as the ground is uneven, with lots of rabbit holes. Participation by Duke of Edinburgh’s 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.

Plant Heritage - safeguarding cultivated plants through the National Plant Collections scheme for everyone

Puttenham Eco-Camping Barn is run by a small environmental charity

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 Eco-Barn has many environmental features including solar panels (on its bike shed!), rainwater harvesting & local varieties of apple trees in the garden. It is now in its 11^th year of operation.

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

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

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.

We aim to reduce landfill by collecting and selling donated goods. We provide support and development for volunteers on "back to work" programmes and we provide low cost goods to help those on low income.