In 2010, the West Midlands Museum Development Officers identified a handful of projects across the regions which were struggling to recruit, expand or retain a viable cohort of volunteers and so it was hoped that by working with an experienced mentor, a few projects, which had been ear-marked by the MDOs, could benefit from the extra support. Initially, the contract was for a year.

Gemma Dhami, MDO for Worcestershire said:

“All our volunteers not only offer their time, but given the right mentoring and encouragement, they can usually bring extra skills to the museum or heritage centre they work at.  The mentor overseeing Jumpstart, Glenis Williams, supported a small number of projects by helping them to raise confidence and skill levels of both staff and volunteers by offering site specific training.

“No two projects were the same as the museums had different needs and worked at various paces, so Glenis adapted her work according to the need.”

Glenis Williams

Project Jumpstart has proved so successful, that the MDOs are continuing to fund it for another year.

Gemma said:

“The museums that contacted us for support were asking for a combination of things surrounding the use and retention of quality volunteers. Glenis has an excellent track record working with volunteers as she has done a lot of project work with The National Trust and has a range of skills that she can bring to an organisation.

“She was extremely useful in supporting staff at the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster prior to their opening and helped with the community mapping and developed the volunteers’ role profiles in order to recruit for the new site.

“Jumpstart has proved to be very successful. It has been useful working with an experienced contractor like Glenis. We were able to send her to work with volunteers on site for a number of days at a time, assess the problems and work with staff on them so that they were operating at their best possible level. We are fortunate to have someone as experienced as Glenis working with our museums across the whole region.”

Passing on the skills

As Museum Development Officers, we know that in order to interest the public in the gems of our counties, we have to rely heavily on a team of volunteers who give up their time, effort and enthusiasm so that others can enjoy what we have to offer at little or no cost to them.

In Worcestershire, we have a long-standing member of our volunteer team at the County Museum. Ced Lewis has been coming to Hartlebury twice a week for a staggering 19 years and not only does he give up his time for free, he makes the journey from Wolverhampton to be with us.

Ced is a spritely 83-year-old and a skilled wheelwright who has achieved so many things over the years. As well as working on various tasks and restoration projects within the museum’s collection, he completed the ambitious project of restoring ‘Esmeralda’ an old gypsy caravan.

Last year, at the County Museum in Hartlebury Castle, we hosted a celebration of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller arts and culture as part of the Gypsy Roma Traveller History month.

Our star attraction was ‘Esmeralda’. She was left to the County Museum in 2004 by her owner Anthony Sampson. She was built in 1909 and Esmeralda had been a working Gypsy Caravan and on the road up until 1996 when she was bought by Mr Sampson.

When we got Esmeralda, she was in desperate need of restoration and that is when Ced came into his own and lovingly restored her. Her construction is unusual as she has a bow top and side windows. She is also particularly large and we thought that that the wheels had come from a pair of recycled carriage axles.

Ced worked for 14 months to restore her to her former glory and worked with wood, metal and he also turned his had to interior furnishing! Needless to say, the end result was stunning.

No-one can go on forever and even Ced will have to hang up his tools one day. Even though he says it is a fantastic way to spend his retirement, we don’t want to lose the skills that Ced has been sharing with visitors to the museum. He is so enthusiastic, that he even attended a course at West Dean College in Sussex to learn more about restoration and often volunteers as the museum’s Wheelwright during special events.

Recently, we decided that it would be wise to train someone else up who can step in to Ced’s shoes one day, a big pair of shoes to fill indeed, and thanks to funding from the Museum Development Officers, we recently advertised for an apprentice that Ced can pass his skills on to.

We were overwhelmed by the response and eventually managed to whittle it down to three candidates and after a woodwork test, the candidate chosen was retired local authority worker, Mark Clements.

Even though Mark had no previous woodworking skills, he impressed us with his practicality, his appreciation of fine woodwork and a willingness to give it a go.

In the short time that Mark has been in post, he has already made two wheels which are now being used in a hand cart that the museum can use for exhibitions.

Getting the approval from Ced was important to us, as it is Ced’s legacy that will be living on through Mark.

Needless to say, Ced was impressed with Mark and the speed with which he was picking things up and as Ced himself said: “There’s still plenty more for Mark to learn. I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I’m still learning.”

Mark has been on a training course at the Tewkesbury Saw Company learning important Health and Safety essentials for working with woodworking machinery and has been to see another wheelwright in practice at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm.

Without the funding from the MDOs, Mark would not have been given the chance to learn new skills and we would no longer be able to share the work of a craftsman with future generations of visitors to the museum. It just proves that a little funding can go a long way.

What’s the difference? Let’s start by defining what a volunteer is… based on Websters definition:

VOLUNTEER – A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

So whats wrong with that? Isn’t that what we want? For people to do use their gifts in the church, freely offering to help where help is needed? Yes, of course! Many churches and other not for profit organizations work hard at developing a strong volunteer base and rely on those incredible people who give freely of their time to keep the organization going! They spend hours coming up with a strategy for how to recuit, train, and retain their volunteers!

Now by contrast, let’s look at the definition of a servant:

SERVANT: one that serves others ; especially: one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

Never had to work with one, but they thrive in the volunteer sector.

He also inserted himself has the adult’s supervisor and made sure we got our work done with the phrase: ”The coffee break is over!” I have to agree. We are ready for the trees to wake up and get flowing! 

We purchased a large can (more like a bucket) of mixed nuts from Sam’s Club and covered the nuts with white chocolate.  To make it more festive, we added green M&Ms to the mix.  Each volunteer was given a filled individual pretzel bag (available at Walmart in the party section) sealed with a green bow.  Feel free to use our tags!  St. Patrick’s Tags  Most leader’s ate their’s before service was even over.  I guess it was good.

]]> http://silverlinksprogramme.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/more-silverlinks-volunteers-welcomed-to-the-team-in-leeds/ Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:53:14 +0000 careandrepairengland http://silverlinksprogramme.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/more-silverlinks-volunteers-welcomed-to-the-team-in-leeds/ This week, we are delighted to have welcomed two new volunteers to the Silverlinks project in Leeds, who are looking forward to supporting older people in times of crisis.  

Here Barbara intoduces them to us:

Kevin

Kevin has joined the Silverlinks team as a peer support volunteer.  Kevin has had experience of downsizing and has been through the housing decision-making process.  Kevin has a interest in volunteering  and was actively looking for voluntary work so the role of Peer Support volunteer seems ideal for him. He is keen to share his experiences and offer any help, support and advice he can.   I am looking forward to working alongside Kevin as I know he will be an asset to the team.

Ken is the latest recruit to the Silverlinks volunteer team based in Leeds. 

Ken is a strong believer in community and helping people.  Despite being 75 years old and retired Ken is a very busy man!  He is involved in several local projects around the care and support needs of others.  He was a member of the ‘Making It Real’ Service Expert Advisory Group who contributed to the “Better Lives Explained” publication produced by Leeds Adult Social Care.   Ken has a great deal to offer as a Silverlinks volunteer and we are lucky to have him as part of the team.

 We look forward to working with Ken and Kevin.

A little bit about the group:

The women at First Baptist Church of Asheville have participated in the Women Build for several years. While we are all members of the same church, we serve in different areas and don’t know each other.  Women Build provides our inter-generational team an opportunity to form new friendships by working and laughing together.  Habitat projects are promoted through the church’s missions council.  The goal of this council is to develop opportunities for our members to grow in their faith by helping others.

Thanks ladies! We couldn’t do it without you. For more information about the group, contact Martha Worley at mlsworley@gmail.com.

*Volunteers Suzanne Vogel and Susan Stewart signed up to volunteer via the AAHH website and are not members of the church group.

Hooded Plover KM gets treated for its injuries.

The bird, known as ‘KM’, was found with severe injuries near Point Roadknight recently with a yellow fibre cutting of circulation to its leg.

Volunteer Hooded Plover Monitor Geoff Gates noticed the bird was limping between a flock of about six other plovers.

“I knew the bird’s leg was swollen and had something constricting the blood flow to the foot and I thought the most probable cause was fishing line,” he said.

Birdlife Australia Beach-nesting Birds Program Manager Grainne Maguire said she carefully separated the bird from its flock and local vet, Liz Brown, was called in to assist.

“Liz used a pair of fine scissors and carefully removed the fibre which was twisted and embedded around the ankle.

“She applied anti-fungal cream on the wound and gave the bird a shot of antibiotics,” she said.

Local vet, Liz Brown, removes the yellow fibre caught around KM’s leg.

“Two volunteers have since reported KM is moving about normally and seems to be doing well but we’ll be monitoring the wound closely over the coming month to ensure there’s no infection and that it’s healing properly.”

Litter, including fishing line, poses danger to beach nesting birds and other coastal and marine wildlife and beachgoers are being urged to do their bit and keep our coast clean.

“The main way we can minimize entanglements is to ensure we bin our litter, especially fishing line,” Ms Maguire said.

Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Conservation Officer Georgina Beale said some of the dead seals and birds that wash up on the coast have swallowed or been strangled by plastic bags, fishing line, bits of nets and other rubbish.

“Please use the bins located in grassed foreshore areas and adjacent to sand areas to dispose of litter,” she said.

Hooded Plovers are endangered in Victoria and are vulnerable to a wide range of threats including a range of predators.

You can help to ensure their survival by getting hands on and becoming a volunteer monitor.

Volunteer monitors log sightings, track the movements of individual birds and follow their breeding progress over the season, logging information into the My Hoodie Data Portal.

“The portal is being used by several hundred volunteers and we have over 2000 sightings in it so far,” Ms Maguire said.

To learn more about the Hooded Plover monitor, email hoodedplover@birdlife.org.au.

This story featured in the Surf Coast Times Green the Coast Column.

KM’s banded leg entangled in the unknown yellow fibre.

Find out more about volunteering along the coast on GORCC’s website.

Find out more about protecting our endangered Hooded Plovers on the GORCC website, or read the related blog posts below.

Related blog posts:

Hoodie monitors go hi-tech

An update on our little ‘Hoodies’

Precious babies on our beaches

Protecting our endangered locals

]]> http://guildhousegardens.org/2013/03/07/cleaning-up-the-garden/ Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:16:46 +0000 ghgardens http://guildhousegardens.org/2013/03/07/cleaning-up-the-garden/

In a few weeks these beds will be ready.

Our regular volunteers from PATH helped clear out trash, picked up branches from a fruit tree pruning project, and raked out the rows between the food lawn beds. We have several volunteer projects planned over the next few weeks to clear out the beds and start planting.

Volunteers help clear the rows between our raised beds.

Just a few more hours and we will welcome a group of new volunteers for the 1st evening of our training programme!

The training consists of 5 sessions, 4 evenings and a Saturday day session.
The content? Peer education, alcohol and drugs knowledge, risk taking and peer pressure, facilitation and communication skills, Curriculum for Excellence and Child Protection. All kept together by some of the best icebreakers and games in the Fast Forward tradition.

Our new volunteers will also get to know members of Fast Forward staff. Yes, here in the office we might need to do some memory exercises for learning all the new names, but hey – we can’t wait to have these great new volunteers on board and to team up with them and our brilliant “senior” volunteers!

The training packs are ready, plenty of flip chart paper and felt-tip pens all around, the always present post-its, coffee and tea for keeping us well awake until tonight and (of course!) yummy food. Because as much as our minds will learn, our bodies will need to be fed… after all, we are a health and well-being organisation

Want to know more? Keep an eye on this page for future pics and updates!

10 new volunteers
9 hundred reasons why volunteering is great
8 staff members (all of Fast Forward!) thrilled of welcoming the new volunteers
7 balloons waiting to be blown up
6.30pm the time we will start
5 training sessions
4 bottles of juice lined up on the table
3 current volunteers helping out in the training
2 perfect peer educator body shapes to be created
1 common aim: making the most of this experience

So… ready, steady….go!

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On March 6th, 2001, Open Door started serving low-income people of the Prescott area with coffee and snacks, vouchers and food bags. It was a modest beginning, with Jack and Harriet Hotsenpiller opening the doors the first day as the only two volunteers.

Doug and Diane Iverson co-directed operations most of the first year, until Leigh Downing joined Diane as a co-director, and Doug focused his energy on helping with the development of CCJ (then the Interfaith Coalition for Compassion and Justice).

In the beginning, Open Door operated six hours per week on a $100.00 per week budget. It now serves the community 16 hours weekly and has several special projects. One of the early special projects was Fair Start, which began in 2002 and provided 50 children with school supplies. In 2012 Fair Start provided school supplies for over 1,000.We would soon add hot meals, a clothing room (which preceded our CCJ Thrift Shop), Mountain of Food, Warm for Winter, Family Christmas and Operation Deep Freeze. This year we are adding an annual Yavapai Diaper Drive. Please feel free to ask any of our volunteers about these projects.

Donna Gaddy joined the team as client numbers, hours and special projects grew, and Donna, Leigh and Diane worked together. The warm spirit of those early days can be captured in the following story:

Jerry was an Open Door client who sometimes needed a few groceries to stretch his Veteran’s disability check. Any time he came by for food he would look in the pantry and ask in his slight accent, “You ladies wouldn’t happen to have any canned ‘possum, would ya?” This went on for months before the Directors decided to do some creative graphic design, and that is how three cans of tuna turned into “Prescott Premium ‘Possum (Just Like Mama Used to Make)”. The cans were waiting the next time Jerry asked his question, and he was so pleased, he shared one can with a local police officer. Jerry became a valued volunteer before eventually moving to be closer to family.

Clients are more like guests, and guests are welcomed as friends in a place like Open Door. Directors or Co-Directors have been (in order); Doug and Diane Iverson, Leigh Downing, Donna Gaddy, Katherine Euler, Marlene Hammond, Diane Iverson and Temmy Bowler.

As Temmy Bowler welcomes guests, supporters and volunteers (past and present) to join CCJ staff for birthday cake and a well-earned celebration on March 6th at noon, we encourage you to bring a can or two of food, or contribute to the Open Door remodeling fund.

Thanks to all who have played their part in a wonderful twelve years. We look forward to being a safe place for those who need our services for many years to come.

The Lower gardens

After purchasing the Lower garden in 2006, we were able to complete the set, as it were, in 2010 when we purchased the Upper garden, with its Kitchen Garden and the Ferney Brow garden situated on the wooded cliff side.  The Kitchen Garden provided fruit, vegetables and flowers for the Greg family and they often brought their visitors here.  The garden was designed using the latest horticultural and scientific techniques, walled on three sides to catch the sun, with the South side left open to allow frost to roll away over the cliff edge.  The Upper garden is also home to the Victorian dipping pond, which was created to help keep the crops watered, which was recently restored as part of our huge restoration project which has been in place since we purchased the garden.

The Victorian dipping pond has now been restored

In the summer of 2011 we were able to open a small section of the garden for visitors while our garden team worked on clearing the debris and cutting back undergrowth to find pathways and hidden features.  There was an archaeological dig to find the lost melon house and research in the archives to learn the story of the people who had worked here.

In the winter of 2011 whilst the garden was closed, we began to restore the woodland and cliff top walks. Work took place on the buildings and plants and vegetables were brought back into cultivation. Our estate joiner and engineer began restoration of the Victorian Alpine House; the small glass house in the centre of the kitchen garden, originally used for exotic alpine species. Meanwhile, the main glass houses will continue to be surveyed ready for restoration and any repairs needed to make them safe will be carried out.

Clearing out the Alpine House

We couldn’t have begun this work without or brilliant bunch of garden volunteers, with one volunteer estimating that over the summer of 2011, the team laid a mile of stone edging in the Upper garden alone. 

John and Ian have been with the team for 3 years now and have spent this summer laying stone edgings in the Upper Garden. Having come from a desk job, Ian had never done this sort of work before but he enjoys it and says it is all worthwhile when you see the garden coming together. They both agreed that they couldn’t wait to see the glass houses restored, especially the Alpine House, which is now all finished and you can go and take a look at it in all it’s glory now. 

Some of our lovely volunteers

Janet and Pam come once a week to work in the gardens and have been busy clearing out the glasshouses and back sheds with the rest of the team. They also both took part in the archaeology dig around the melon pit in the summer of 2011, a whole new sort of digging! Like most of our volunteers, Joan has found working on the Upper garden exciting, for as she says, ‘We’ve been peering through the fence at it for years.’ And the most exciting part is that the Upper garden is open to the public for you to all come and have a look!

Ann Gaughan, one of our fantastic gardeners explains the hard work that went into getting the Upper gardens ready for their reopening back in mid-February this year:

“All of the Upper Garden had been left to run wild in the last few years, in order to open both Ferney Brow and the Redwood walk to visitors we’ve undertaken a massive amount of work  removing self seeded trees and cutting back over grown shrubs. This has to be done to let light and air back into the areas and to let the plants that we want to keep such as the sequoias and rhododendrons grow more healthily. This year we had some clumps of snowdrops and daffodils come up for the first time in years because there was enough light for them!”

Just a few of our lovely snowdrops

Their hard work has enabled Ferney Brow to be opened for the first time in over 50 years and you can now walk up from the Lower garden, through the woodland garden and into the Upper garden. In addition to cutting back self seeded trees and weeds the garden team have added some new plantings in this area. The planting of the Upper garden has begun with the restoration of the Long Border, a herbaceous border that ran in front of the glass houses and was used to provide cut flowers for the Greg family’s homes.

But wait there’s even more still to come (I think I need a lie down after all this excitement!) In May 2013 the Redwood Walk will be opened to the public for the first time, and the garden team have been busy clearing paths and moving dead wood in order to create a walk through this part of the garden and for the first time visitors will be able to see the magnificent sequoia and the extensive collection of rhododendrons, first planted and cultivated by Robert Hyde Greg all the way back in the 1800s.

The Alpine Glasshouse

I’ve already been up to the Upper gardens and the views were simply amazing. And even though we are waiting for spring to bring a burst of colour to the gardens you can already clearly see the incredibly hard work that the garden team has put in – a huge well done to them all!

What a view!

So what are you waiting for? Come and see for yourself what the fuss has been all about!

Laura

Don’t waste time trying to nurse what’s dead – invest in what’s strong and allow it to overtake the weak areas.  LOVE IT!

2.  Sometimes the messenger IS the message.

Definitely sometimes the messenger enhances a message that might have otherwise been missed.

3.  I killed people in the Bible for lying to me.

Yep – God don’t mess around…so help me always be honest with you, Jesus.

4.  I don’t get carpet.

It’s a floor covering made of fiber, Matt.

5.  We shouldn’t be driven there.  We shouldn’t someday make it there.  We should start there.  (on our knees before Jesus.)

Bring me back to that place in my life, Lord, where prayer was the first thing – not the last.

6.  I am with you – even in the aftermath.

Thank God – I might even say ‘especially’ in the aftermath.

7.  God does say he care for the flowers – and they live in dirt.

God’s provision doesn’t always look the way we think it should.

8.  It’s time to focus less on the why and more on the who.

Amen!

9.  I’m flippin’ Phil Bell.

It sounds so cool with a British accent.

10.  Dad, can you help me with my NHS forms?

I’d rather do ministry with that kid (and his brothers) than any other kid on this planet!

The Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to help with winter stewardship workdays several  Southeast Michigan  parks and recreation areas in March – the last opportunity to remove shrubs before spring.

Helpers will be able to cut invasive shrubs in natural areas within state parks and recreation areas.  Toward the end of the month, workdays will focus on pulling garlic mustard which is a non-native invasive plant that threatens to take over woodlands.

These activities will help protect and restore the wonderful natural areas in the state parks and recreation areas. There is also a plus to cleaning the parks.  Volunteering for the workdays is a great way for residents to be outdoors, breathe some fresh air, and be active.

The stewardship workday dates, times, and locations are:

• Sunday, March 3 – Algonac State Park (St. Clair), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 9 – Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to noon

• Saturday, March 16 – Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, March 17 – Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 23 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, March 23 – Brighton Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Sunday, March 24 – Highland Recreation Area (Oakland), 1 to 4 p.m.

• Saturday, March 30 – Island Lake Recreation Area (Livingston), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participates should dress for the outdoor work.  This means wearing long pants, boots, and gloves to make sure that you do not get sick or are unable to work.

Volunteers should also bring drinking water and waterproof boots, either knee-high rubber boots or hip waders, for wetland sites.  If you do not have a pair of waterproof boots there are a limited number of waterproof boots available to borrow.

For more information about the specific tasks at each workday and directions, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers and link to the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.

All volunteers are asked to register using the form available on the website or via email.  If you have any questions, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at 248-359-9057 or malvitzl@michigan.gov.

Indeed.  Neither is horseradish – it just doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

2.  I was on my way to Anchorage and had a hang-over….I mean lay over!!

Well which was it, Mike?  Because both could probably be plausible.  Don’t try to cover your tracks now – it’s too late!

3.  Don’t go viral for the wrong reasons.

Tell that to Sweet Brown.

4.  When most are running away, you guys run into the fire.

I have never thought of student ministry in these terms – but it is so accurate.  I pray that I can help other parents and leaders start running toward the fire!

5.  If we really believe God’s strength is our strength, we’d start before we were ready.

Whoa.  This still leaves me feeling winded.

6.  Katie is awesome.

Yes.  I know this.  And I am never more honored and humbled at God’s mercy on me than when I stand in a crowd and listen to her speak His wisdom into the lives of  students, families, and leaders.  She is altogether amazing – and I am rich beyond measure.

7.  You don’t get much more white Mennonite than that.

True.  I’m glad Lecrae didn’t have to see that, Joel.

8.  We should always play to the size of the heart, not the size of the audience.

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.   Ecclesiastes 3.11

9.  Don’t believe the lie that your present circumstance is your permanent circumstance.

It’s such an effective tale, though.  It evaporates hope and dims sight to blessing.

10. God is not in the business of better – He’s in the business of new.

Thank God for that!  I don’t need to be better.  I need to be new.

Yes – yes it would….and I will most definitely be partnering with my friend who said this to write some additional blogs about what that might actually look like.  DING!  Please move on to the next one.

2.  Andy Blanks is a sissy-foot.

I’m just wondering if anyone has actually seen Andy Blanks, one of the founders of YM360?  ’Sissy’ would not be in my top 360 adjectives to describe him.

3.  Draw a chalk circle.  Then stand in the middle of the circle and pray for revival for everyone inside the circle.

I didn’t draw the circle….yet.  But I am definitely doing the praying.  (I’ll draw the circle at home…where someone isn’t holding my credit card hostage for damages.)

4.  “Standing on ant hills trying to touch the stars – trying to contain the oceans in peanut butter jars.”

Awe.  Someone I used to know said ‘the word awesome should be reserved for God alone.’  Tonight, I heard that phrase in my head during this performance.  It was an amazing, nay awesome, reminder.

5.  “Darren, last year I was in a terrible place.  My ministry was not good and I was not good.  I came to a workshop you did on discouragement – and it changed everything.  I’m in a better place,  my ministry is thriving.  And I just thought if your encouragement to me was that profound, maybe you could use some of that, too.”

First of all – it’s a humbling honor to be able to invest in the lives of youth workers.  I marvel that God would let me do it at all, knowing fully who I am.  Second – you never know what the Holy Spirit is doing when you’re leading.  And third – God always sends the right encouragement at the right time.

As you lead students and families – remember those truths.  They’re universal no matter who the mouthpiece is — and it might just be you.

Have you ever had to say something hard to a student, a parent, a colleague?  You know what I mean – the kind of call-out that you lay awake at night pondering – assessing what it might do to your friendship, wondering if someone else ought to be the message-bearer, sensing the rise of anxiety as you run through every possible disastrous scenario in your mind…

This week, I’m spending some time at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Indianapolis.  On of the reasons I love it so much is that some of my closest friends and allies are here in this place.  They are people who are unafraid to speak truth in my life, even if it’s uncomfortable.  And they have earned the right to do it.  And they do it with love.

The passage says ‘Wounds from a sincere friend’ – and sincerity takes some time.  It involves building relationship and community.  It involves earning the right to be heard.  It involves being a lover, even when families or co-workers decide not to heed your message or could care less that you gave it.

Remember, as you’re guiding students, their families, your staff and volunteers — even as you invest in your friendships:  You earn the right to say difficult truths.  You don’t get that seat automatically just because of your position or prowess.  Build into the lives of the people you serve – and when they’re best served with a difficult or deeply honest truth, you’ll be in a position to serve it to them on a silver platter.

A resident concentrates over her 36 celled tray.

Working together!

The group hard at work

Cllr Daniel Gillard

“As a scheme looking to support people in times of housing crisis, and as a scheme looking to enable volunteers who have experienced similar problems to offer their help back, I’m especially delighted to be able to offer my support to Silverlinks.

Any service that can provide housing advice for older people is priceless in my opinion. We have a shifting age demographic in the UK, and in Manchester in particular, with an ageing population which means that the largest groups of people seeking state and third sector support in the coming years will (continue to) be older people. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that these generations of people are supported, protected and listened to, so they can enjoy the rights and privileges that they’ve earned in older age. And fundamental to that is the right to enjoy security in housing. Without it, it is virtually impossible to continue in one’s personal development, which is as vital for older people in today’s society as it is for younger people.

 The work that Silverlinks is doing, not just in Manchester, but also in Leeds and Bristol is something that I’ll be watching with keen interest, as the lead Councillor for intergenerational issues for the City. Issues of age-friendly planning for an ageing population are essential to examine, plan for and act upon. I believe Silverlinks is a vital part of a wider picture of support for the most significant demographic group of people in this city, and others in the UK. Finally, I would strongly encourage all older people who feel they have skills, experience or expertise to offer to Silverlinks, to contact Karen Kennedy here in Manchester on 0161 874 1658.”

Clean Up Australia Day 2012 volunteers Isabella and Tessa.

GORCC is asking the community to participate in the 2013 Clean Up Australia Day held on Sunday 3 March at our designated site, Bird Rock car park in Jan Juc, from 10am to 12pm.

You can view a map of the location here.

According to the Clean Up Australia Day website, in 2012 an estimated 591,400 volunteers cleaned up 16,169 tonnes at 7,363 sites right across Australia.

Last year our designated site attracted 11 volunteers and over 20 bags of rubbish were filled! This year we can do better, so come along and help clean up and conserve our precious environment.

GORCC staff members Zac, Trent with Jan Juc Coast Action Chairperson Luke Hynes with some of the unusual items found at Clean Up Australia Day.

You can register as a volunteer on the Clean Up Australia Day website to go into the draw to win a $100 Bunnings voucher or a $100 Rip Curl voucher by clicking the button “Join this Site“  on our Clean Up Australia Day page.

What to bring:

• Just bring yourself as all clean up equipment will be provided on the day.
• If you have a set of gloves please bring them along otherwise we will provide you with some on the day.

• Ensure you wear a hat.
• Enclosed footwear must be worn.

• Water, sunscreen and light refreshments will be provided as well as a free BBQ at 12pm.

• All ages are welcome, but children 15 years old and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

Hope to see you there!

If you are interested in other volunteering opportunities along the coast visit our website.

For more information about Clean Up Australia Day download this handy iPhone App!

To learn why it is important to participate, watch the clip below from the organizers of Clean Up Australia Day.

Related blog posts:

Help clean up the coast

Cleanup helps conserve the coast

Will you be joining us at Bird Rock? Let us know below…