Case Study - Trevor Nield

Trevor joined the Volunteering into Pathways project in January 2011 because he was tired of not having a daily routine after being unemployed for over 3 years. He chose to volunteer with Springhead Community Centre, where he helped to renovate the old scout hut. For 12 weeks, Trevor was part of a team of 6 who helped to knock down walls, fix floor boards and paint and decorate the hut. The scout hut is now available to hire for the local community.

Trevor feels his confidence has grown significantly since the start of the programme. Both friends and family have commented and recognised his increase in confidence. Part way through the programme, Trevor began an additional volunteer role at Oldham Gateway club where he supports adults with learning difficulties. He has now decided on a career in care and is actively applying for jobs in care work.

‘’The project has built my confidence, I’ve made new friends and everyone has said they will keep in touch. I have really enjoyed the whole project, it has given me the push I needed. I feel I have definitely achieved something. Before I got up in the morning and just mooched around, this was no good. I am really glad I came into the Volunteer Centre’’ Trevor

Since the project has finished, Trevor is still volunteering at Oldham Gateway club. He has also completed a two week intensive course in health and social care at Oldham College and he has enrolled on a computer course with learn direct. He is still applying for care related jobs and we wish him the best of luck!

The Volunteering into Pathways has come to a successful end

Last week, the second group of learners of the Volunteering into Pathways scheme came together for the project round up.

The learners have volunteered and attended a series of training sessions over a 12 week period. During this time, 3 learners have found paid employment, others have enrolled for futher learning courses and all the learners will continue with their volunteer placement.

They have all thoroughly enjoyed the scheme as it has allowed them to gain new skills, work experience and meet new people. Most of all this scheme has given people the motivation and confidence to try new things and to push themselves a little bit further.

You can read more about their remarkable journeys as we will be posting some of their stories very soon...so keep posted!

What's happening up at Greenacres Community Centre?

We have a team of volunteers working with OPAG as part of the Volunteering into Pathways programme.

OPAG, Oldham Play Action Group works throughout the year promoting children’s play. Each year OPAG supports a range of playschemes across the borough. The majority of these playschemes are organised and run by groups of volunteers, who give their time, commitment and lots of energy to put on activity sessions for children in their communities. For more information about OPAG, please visit their website http://www.opag.co.uk/
 

OPAG have recently taken over the management of Greenacres Community Centre and the volunteers are there to help revamp the centre. See Kimberly, Michael and Elvis hard at graft...

What are the volunteers doing at Streetlink?

Three of the Volunteering into Pathways participants are volunteering at Streetlink.

So who are Streetlink?

Streetlink first set up as a community project as part of the New Life church in Failsworth a  few years ago. It's exciting times for Streetlink as they are currently in the process of becoming a registered charity. They have grown over the years and moved from one success to another, so becoming a registered charity is a natural next step for them.

They run a number of different community projects across Failsworth, Limeside and Derker. These include a football academy, youth club, soup kitchen as well as the social action team.

Our volunteers have joined the social action team, where they are meeting the needs of the local community by tidying gardens, decorating and completing other DIY tasks.

Here they are clearing up around the New Life church....

The team building day was a huge success or so the participants say...

Let's see what the participants had to say about the team building day out....

'It feels good to push myself and to leave my comfort zone to gain confidence'

'I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day & learnt things about myself and developed new confidence in my abilities'

'I didn't think I could rock climb but I put trust in myself and team members and I did it'

'A nice day out that managed to bring out people's characters and strengths. It enabled us as a team to now each other better and talk with different people'

'I felt wonderful, especially getting to know everyone and learning new skills, like trying to find different solutions to any problem'

'I was a bit pessimistic about the day but once we got there and began to start activities. I found it very fulfilling & fun as not only were the tasks fun but it allowed me to get to know my team mates and other volunteers'

The participants get to know one another a little bit better...

Throughout this project, we place a big emphasis on team work. In any work place or volunteer project, team building skills are a valuable skill for individuals to have. The participants are volunteering in small teams to give them the opportunity to develop these skills. To help kick start some team spirit, we took the group out on a team building challenge.

The day was a lot of fun and we even managed to avoid the rain.....

Volunteers from the first cohort finally got to do their abseil

When the first cohort went on their team building day out back in February, the weather was so severe, we weren't able to complete the abseil. So as promised, we took those who wanted to give it a go, up to Matley quarry in Stalybridge to do an abseil and rock climb.

The second cohort attended their team building day out yesterday....watch this space to see how they get on!