Ashton Community Forum - Volunteering

Volunteering in Ashton

Leonard Cheshire Nov 2007	Leonard Cheshire Disability is calling on local people to support its work with a new enabling project set up to increase the opportunities available for disabled people in the Wigan Borough. Volunteers are at the heart of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s work, enabling the organisation to provide a range of activities and support to over 21,000 disabled people. There are all sorts of ways to get involved, from accompanying someone to sports or leisure facilities, supporting someone to register at a college or to plan a holiday. Whatever your skills, we’d like to hear from you. We can offer volunteering opportunities to fit in with your busy schedule, whether you have a few hours each week or just a couple of hours each month to spare. We will provide flexible training, so that you can feel confident and get the best out of volunteering. If you are interested in volunteering with the Paveways Plus Enabling Service or you would like more information about the project, please contact Natalie Searle, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 07738 033 561 or email natalie.searle@LCDisability.org. Disabled people who feel they could benefit from the support of the enabling service, or who want advice on issues such as benefits, debt and housing should contact Paveways Plus Advice Line on 01942 519909.
Greater Manchester Police Jan 2007	Wigan and Leigh Police want to recruit members of the public from across the Wigan Borough to join an Independent Advisory Group (IAG). Volunteers should be able to listen to, consider, question and challenge the views of others in a constructive way; express their views in a team situation and compromise and negotiate as necessary to reach a successful outcome; and taken an active interest in issues which affect equality of opportunity and diversity within their local community. Those interested should be available for four evening meetings throughout the year, and a two-day training session will be provided. Further details from Abida Niaz, Community and Race Relations Officer for Wigan and Leigh Police, on 016 1856 7184, and applications close on 29th January.
Greater Manchester Police May 2006	Police in Wigan are looking for local residents to become representatives of their area in order to enhance neighbourhood policing. The volunteers would be asked to carry out tasks such as providing support to crime victims and keeping people informed on the progress of criminal investigations. The initiative is part of the police strategy to have more officers on the streets. People interested in volunteering should call 016 1856 4101 and leave their name, address and phone number, or email PC Peter Harmer, Wigan community volunteer co-ordinator,
Wigan Council for Voluntary Youth Service	WCVYS is looking for people to sit on the Executive and act as Trustees. This is a voluntary role and members commit to attending approximately six meetings per year. It is an opportunity to become involved with decision-making processes, including the allocation of maintenance grants. Contact 825750 for further information.
Ashton Heath Regeneration	Ashton Heath Residents' Association have established a partnership with Wigan MBC and BTCV to preserve and restore Ashton Heath. Volunteers are required to repair the damage done by illegal digging and to implement improvements to the Heath in accordance with a management plan approved by Wigan Metro. If you would like to be involved in a healthy programme of regular exercise working on a project of lasting value to our community and children then please contact chair@ashtonheath.org.uk or david.mckendrick@ashton-in-makerfield.org.uk.
British Red Cross - administrators	The Red Cross offers a facility for the loan of medical equipment to local people. Currently the service is based at Park Lane Chapel, although alternative accommodation is being sought. At present a volunteer at Wigan only attends the facility by appointment, but with more volunteers the Red Cross would open the outlet at certain times during the week depending on when the volunteers were able to be there. Their work would mainly be administration including answering the phone, and filling in forms. The volunteers would then explain the wheelchairs to the clients, so some befriending is needed too. Full training would be given and travel expenses paid. If you need any more information please contact Dawn Cunliffe on 016 1888 8900.
Wigan Green Spaces	Wigan Green Spaces Programme is operated by Wigan Metro and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Their office is at Three Sisters Visitors Centre, but the Green Spaces volunteers carry out environmental work throughout the Borough most Wednesdays and Thursdays and occasional Sundays. The work includes footpath maintenance, woodland management, pond improvement, hedgelaying and other activities designed to improve the local environment. No previous experience is necessary as full supervision and training is given. For further information contact Kath Godfrey on 01942 716700. Further information on local environmental action can be found at BTCV in Wigan..
Captain's Lane Community Park	In 2003 volunteers at Captain's Lane Youth and Community Centre cleared rubbish and Japanese Knotweed from the area behind the Centre and had it landscaped and benches installed. Trees and bulbs were planted, and local residents invited to help maintain and further improve the open space. Unfortunately only a couple of residents expressed any positive interest in the work and only one offered to assist. Consequently further work has been suspended until the local community shows support for the project. If you are interested in assisting then please contact the committee at Captain's Lane.
Friends of Three Sisters	FOTS meets monthly to discuss matters relevant to the Three Sisters Recreation Area and plan a programme of environmental activities intended to assist in the management and improvement of the site. Task mornings are held monthly on the third Sunday of each month between 10.30 and 13.30, meeting at the Visitor Centre. Volunteers are welcome to join the group for some healthy exercise and learning conservation skills. See the website for further information.
Ashton Citizen's Advice Bureau	The Bureau is looking for volunteers who can offer assistance to people with mental health needs. For further details contact Steven at 01942 522378.
Wigan Flashes	Wigan Flashes Conservation Group is looking for weekend volunteers to help with practical nature conservation work. The Flashes covers a 620 acre site between Wigan and Ashton, and were created by the extraction of coal which led to subsidence and extensive flooding, creating large lakes or 'flashes'. Wigan Council has acquired and reclaimed most of the area over the years and works in close partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Conservation meetings are held monthly - contact Helen Sephton on 233976 to book.

Ashton Community Forum