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!

Participants complete their pre-volunteer course

Participants on the second round of the Volunteering into Pathways project, completed their Pre-volunteer course last week.

Here they all are working hard and with their certificates at the end of the session.

The 12 weeks are over and the participants meet for the last time...or do they?

This week the participants came together for the final time as the 12 week Volunteering into Pathways project came to an end.

The group has done extremely well to see the project through and we're all very proud of them for being so reliable, hard working and committed. As a result they have gained so much from the programme, new skills, work experience, new friends and bags of confidence..... 

'This 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 used to get up in the morning and just mooch around, this was no good. I am really glad I came into the Volunteer Centre.' Trevor, Volunteer at Springhead.

Some of the participants will continue their volunteer role with the organisation they started the programme with. Others have already started new roles or are in the process of finding something else. There was never a guarantee of a job at the end of this programme but the group are certainly more prepared for the labour market and if they continue to volunteer and keep their skills and experience up to date, they will have more chance of finding the right job.

Here they all are, with their portfolios...

We have now started the second cohort of the Volunteering into Pathways programme. 17 brand new participants attended the first pre-volunteer course on Tuesday and they will begin volunteering next week.

Watch this space to see how they get on.... 

It's week 9 for the Springhead volunteers and the end is in sight!

It is week 9 for the volunteers at Springhead Community Centre, they still have a couple of weeks left but they are now starting to complete the final touches to the hut.

Bob Hoath, Community Leader at Springhead is 'delighted to be involved in the Volunteering into Pathways programme. Springhead Community Centre has been operating by a volunteer association since 2007 and refurbishment has been a long hard path. The team of volunteers from Volunteer Centre Oldham are making a valuable contribution to our refurbishment programme. They are committed and hard working and are a credit to themselves and Volunteer Centre Oldham in general’.

Damian below is painting the door frame.

Trevor and Tizita are giving the walls a second coat and finishing the skirting boards and window frames

 Danny is sectioning off an area at the side of the hut where they are going to create a patio area