Local Volunteer Centres

Organisation Name: Volunteer Centre Chester
Hosted: Yes. Chester Voluntary Action
Charity No.: 503779    Company Limited by Guarantee No.: N/a
Address: Folliot House, 53 Northgate Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 2HQ
Geographical Area Covered: Chester District
Tel.: 01244 316 587    Fax: 01244 315 487
Email: chestervolunteers@hotmail.com    Website: www.chestervolunteers.org.uk
Contact Name: Carol Berry    Job Title: Manager
Tel.: 01244 316 587    Email: chestervolunteers@hotmail.com
Mission Statement: Volunteering by the community, for the community
Opening Times: Monday – Friday (9.00am – 5.00pm)
Outreach Services: Yes. Rural Outreach Service to promote and develop volunteering in rural areas by providing an outreach Volunteer Centre service. Based at the Volunteer Centre. Part-time dedicated worker Monday - Wednesday (9.00am - 5.00pm), Thursday (9.00am - 5.00pm).
No. registered organisations (members): 181
No. volunteer opportunities/vacancies: 288    Uploaded to do-it.org.uk: Yes
No. volunteers recruited per year: 600
No. staff/volunteers involved in delivery of Volunteer Centre services: 4 staff, 1 volunteer

Volunteering Services Offered

Volunteer Brokerage
Details: Full range of brokerage services either face to face, via telephone or internet provided to potential volunteers.

Training
Details: Pogramme of volunteer management training courses including: An Introduction to Volunteer Management; Selection and Interviewng Skills; Presentation and Delivery Skills.

Database of Volunteering Opportunities
Details: VBase. 288 volunteer vacancies currently available.

Bulletins/Newsletters
Details: Quarterly newsletter for VIO's. Bi-annual newsletter for volunteers

Best Practice Publications
Details: Provide all organisations registering with us a free copy of VE's 'The Goo Practice Guide'

Volunteer Co-ordinator Meetings/Forum
Details: Very vibrant volunteer co-ordinators network which meets 3 times a year. Forum for networking, exchanging needs, providing updates on good practice and local, regional and national developments

Volunteer Certificates
Details: Volunteer Certificate Awards Scheme. Open for nomination by organisations of any volunteers who have completed 100 hours of volunteering in a year. Large awards ceremony in Volunteers' Week hosted by the Lord Mayor in the Town Hall

Publications Library
Details: VE's Good Practice Guide; Volunteers and the Law; Safe & Alert; Essential Volunteer Management; Just about Management

Extra Support Needs Volunteering
Details: PCT funded full-time co-ordinator of supported volunteering project who work with individuals who are excluded or face barriers to accessing and sustaining voluntary work

Conferences/Promotional Events
Details: Annual Awards recognition evening for volunteers. Employer Supported Volunteering Conference

Other Services
Details: Employer Supported Volunteering Brokerage