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Benefitting those who help Community - Introducing Medway Volunteer Network, Winter 2024
The Medway Volunteer Network from MVA continues its work to support people who offer their time and skills for the benefit of others, as well as supporting organisations who provide the opportunity to those people who want to offer their help.
Medway Volunteer Network (MVN) is delivered by MVA as part of their Infrastructure Support offer.
Medway volunteers are often hidden treasures. Without them, the local Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise, and Faith Groups (VCSEF) would not be able to deliver the quality and quantity of support or make the difference they do for Medway residents!
MVN Support for Organisations:
1. Support
Sometimes in the business of delivering support, it can be difficult to know where to start setting up a new volunteer role or programme. Or maybe just working out where to look for good quality information to refine existing activities.
MVN is able to offer resources online, plus tailored 1:1 support around all things volunteering.
Examples of areas MVN can support with:
- Introducing volunteers into an organisation or project for the first time
- Developing good quality volunteer roles
- Reviewing volunteer recruitment or onboarding process
- Volunteer Training programmes
- Ideas to say thank you and appreciate existing volunteers.
If you need ideas for support or resources that would make a difference to your organisation, get in touch at volunteering@mva.org.uk.
2. Volunteer Managers Network
This is a quarterly opportunity for anyone involved in supporting volunteers to come together, get updates or share ideas and expertise.
Contact Sky Crook, MVA’s Volunteering and Community Development Officer, by email at sky@mva.org.uk if you would like to come along.
3. Volunteer Recruitment Support
MVA actively promotes and advertises current vacancies for all VCSEF organisations delivering support in Medway. This is both online and in-person at a variety of events and drop-in activities.
If you have a role you would like us to promote, you can let MVN know at Volunteer Role Advert or use your MVA membership log in and upload directly onto the Website.
MVN is also here to create a bridge between those who would like to get involved in volunteering and the organisations who are currently recruiting.
MVN Support for Individuals:
1. Online Directory of Current Volunteer Vacancies
Go to MVA’s Volunteering Opportunities In Medway webpage to find a wide range of current opportunities to get involved with volunteering.
2. Get Involved! - Volunteer Signposting and Advice Sessions
These are informal drop-in opportunities for people to come and chat about anything volunteering. For example, finding more about volunteering or deciding the best fit for skills or availability, finding out about current Medway volunteer vacancies and how to get in touch.
You will find us regularly at:
- Chatham Library (2nd Tuesday each month 12- 2pm)
- Sunlight Centre Café (3rd Friday of each month 10am – 12 pm)
If you are not able to get to in-person sessions, there is a virtual telephone ‘drop-in’. If you call MVA on 01624 812 850 between 11am -1pm, someone will be available to chat about volunteering.
This is also available to professionals with specific queries or support needs for clients. Check on the day by calling 01624 812 850 to make sure the session is going ahead before travelling specially.
Dates and times for next month’s drop ins are sent out regularly via the MVN Bulletin, and anyone interested in the latest vacancies and news can also sign up to this Volunteering Bulletin for FREE!
