Volunteering
VNews February 2023, Regional Roundup
Quickly Navigate:
- Scotland
- Midlands
- North East & Yorkshire
- Wales
- Eastern
- London
- North West
- South/South East
- South West
- Blueprints
- NuTickets training
- A big well done
- Turn up the volume
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the first V News of 2023. January is over and dare I say that we might be seeing the first signs of spring? Either way, it definitely feels like the blues have lifted and there’s growth around the corner. The same can be said for CSSC, with our Active Wellbeing challenge underway (will we make it around the world?) and new volunteer and sport improvement plans in the pipeline (more on this later).
We have two new Volunteer Team Leaders; Kate Hanlon in the North West and Kelly Young in the South and South East. Please join me in a warm welcome to both Kate and Kelly, whom I’m sure you will meet on your travels.
AGM season is approaching at speed and the VTLs are really looking forward to getting out and seeing our volunteers in action. It’s all go, as usual and we wouldn’t have it any other way. So, grab a brew, a slice of cake (or fruit if you’re still sticking to your healthy eating New Year’s resolution) and read on to find out more about all things volunteering at CSSC
Scotland
The Scotland region are fresh from their annual regional conference. The conference went well, brilliant ideas were shared, and people were recognised for their contribution.
Volunteer of The Year - Bob Harvey
Area Association of the Year - Aberdeen
Certificates of Recognition:
- Michelle Doig
- Avril Watson
- Sandy Watt
Well done to you all and thank you to everyone who attended.
Upcoming events in the region
Fancy fresh air in Fife? Come along for a walk and meet some fellow CSSC members.
Midlands
In the Midlands we sent out a Regional Newsletter in mid-August with exciting news of members can get involved with your CSSC Midlands Regional team by helping to offer events, and offers of activities to our members. We’ve already had a response from a member in the Lincoln member who is interested in organising rifle shooting so watch this space! We also launched the annual photography competition and gave updates on the Big Band and Book Club which had a visit from the author of the best seller Cecily, Annie Garthwaite in May.
Around the region things are busy, we have offers at West Midlands Safari Park, Dudley Zoo and Gardens and Gullivers Theme Park in Matlock, add to that virtual Bingo Crown Green Bowls and Snooker and there's something for everyone! Check out the website.
We’ve been busy interviewing for volunteers for the Regional Secretary and Regional Diversity Champion so hopefully, those posts will be taken up soon and we’re getting close to our annual Volunteer Conference that will take place on the 8th and 9th of October in Sutton Coldfield so were busy with final preparations.
North East &Yorkshire
Activity is booming in the North East and Yorkshire, with every area planning their AGMs and organising exciting events for our members to attend. Here is just a taste of what is on offer in the North East and Yorkshire:
- Tyne, Wear and Northumberland are hosting a wine tasting event.
- Durham City have tickets to The Lion King in Sunderland.
- Darlington have a sold out curry night coming soon.
- Teesport ran a prize draw throughout January.
- North Yorkshire’s season tickets continue to be a popular prize draw, especially York City Football.
- West Yorkshire are running a 12 mile walking event.
- East Yorkshire are hosting their annual Julie Gill quiz alongside their AGM.
- South Yorkshire have joined forces with HASSRA to offer members the chance to take part in the BOOM Battle.
- The North East and Yorkshire region are offering a weekend away in Paris.
Wales
Mid & West Glamorgan area are fast becoming an establish area association following a merger of the Bridgend and Swansea areas in 2018. Mergers always come with some challenges but once some of the unknown fears are addressed it can become a positive and beneficial action that members ultimately reap the rewards from.
Mid & West Glam are now supporting the two adjoining areas that are a little geographically remote in Wales and therefore struggle a little to recruit and retain volunteers.
West Wales and Aberystwyth are the areas in question and the volunteers that we do have in those areas have recently met with volunteers from Mid & West Glam and have started a positive conversation around what they can do to work in collaboration to ensure that members across the areas in question get maximum use of the membership.
In addition, and as a by-product of the Wales Blueprint group, a further collaboration with the Newport and Cardiff Areas has also recently kicked off. The Wales Blueprint group have forged a great relationship which has galvanised the areas in Wales and has built a strong network of volunteers who are working in the right direction for the benefit of members.
This is really positive and is testament to the way in which the group has come together and is working towards common goals. The Wales Football Team coined a phrase – “Together We are Stronger” The Wales region without realising it are doing the same!
Love these guys – keep up the good work.
Eastern
In January we held a Regional Blueprint meeting in Huntingdon. This was a good opportunity for volunteers from around the Region to get together, discuss any common issues and see how we can progress over the coming months. We also used some of the time to review the Regional Conference and look at new ideas for Regional events and activities for 2023.
We have had five Area meetings this month and lots of planning is underway for some exciting new events that will be coming up in 2023. Events have started to pick up and so far this month Hertfordshire have had a tree planting event, Hunts, Cambs and Beds had tickets for the Exotic Marigold Hotel in Milton Keynes. South Essex went to see Blood Brothers at Cliffs Pavilion and had a coach trip to Christmas at Kew Gardens.
Coming up this month Anglia have a trampoline fitness class booked and Peterborough are off to Rushden Lakes for some shopping paired with a Peaky Blinders Theatre Trip. Hunts, Cambs and Beds are off to an adult panto and to Six the musical and South Essex have tickets for Cirque the Greatest Show and have many offers for Adventure Island, afternoon tea and crazy golf (along with lots more!).
In sports news we have the Regional bowls competitions taking place this month and the planning is underway for other Regional sports taking place this year. We have just recruited a new Regional Golf Organiser, and already have provisional dates for this year’s event!
London
This month CSSC London says goodbye to Paul Stubbs who is stepping down as London Chair after 8 years in post. A big thank you to Paul for everything he has done for the region.
I am sure you will all join me in welcoming our new London Chair, Steve Marshall. The region will be benefiting from Steve’s extensive experience and expertise. Watch this space for some exciting plans in the works for CSSC London.
Our event organisers have been busy scheduling in activity for 2023. 18 January saw the start of our 11 week Modern Ballroom and Latin American beginners and improvers dance course and various theatre trips have passed and are upcoming across London’s West End. Also, to be added soon are tickets for London based flower shows, language courses and museum/ heritage site access.
Grant applications were distributed to London clubs at the beginning of the year with the aim to review following 17 February. We are excited to work with and support the clubs to continue the great work they do to get CSSC members more active.
Northwest
The new Volunteer Team Leader for North West is Kate Hanlon who you can contact at kate.hanlon@cssc.co.uk / 07801458305
AGMs
- Bolton Thursday 9t March Bolton College (Deane Road Campus Deane Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL3 5BG) 6pm.
- Blackpool & Fyldes - Marton Institute, Blackpool, FY44DR on Thursday 30 March at 7pm.
- Manchester – Thursday 23 March Venue TBC
- Merseyside – TBC
- Central & East Lances - Monday 6 March 2023 from 6:30pm at The Houghton Arms Blackburn Road Withnell Chorley PR6 8BL
The North West hosted our Annual Regional Conference on Sunday 29 January & Monday 30 January. They were a great success with lots of creative and innovative ideas for new events across the region.
A calendar of events is currently being created and will be shared with all volunteers shortly.
South/South East
Kelly, South and South East VTL
Hi everyone, I’m Kelly. I am the Volunteer Team Leader for the South and South East of England. I have a long background in volunteer management and community support for the third and public sectors.
I am passionate about supporting our volunteers because throughout my career I have seen first-hand the amazing things that can be achieved through the dedication and care of volunteers. I am looking forward to bringing my previous experience to CSSC and supporting you in all the great volunteering you do.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking, archery, travelling and learning new skills.
Fun facts about me
- Favourite food: Cheese 100%
- Superpower I’d most like to have: the ability to speak all languages
- Favourite sport to play: squash or archery
- Famous person I’d most like to have dinner with: Prof. Alice Roberts
Upcoming events in the South and South East
- Wilder Kent Walking Safari: Bison at West Blean and Thornden (cssc.co.uk)
- Gosport & Fareham Area/Mountbatten Festival of Music (cssc.co.uk)
South West Region
Things are looking bright in 2023 for the South West with a plethora of potential events discussed at conference and already proposals coming in for Blueprint funded events for the year ahead.
After the success of last year’s synchronised Cream Tea, we are looking to get more synchronised events underway such as ‘Seaside Days’, ‘Steam Railway Adventures’ etc, along with tickets for county shows and much more! We are delighted that our ‘Winter Warmer’ virtual events are underway and have been opened up nationally so that members from all over the country can join in:
As always we need your help to showcase the brilliant range of benefits members can enjoy and the fun they have at the events you organise, so please send your pictures to Chris Camps via comms.sw@csscvolunteer.co.uk
Blueprint Section
At the last Board meeting in Dec 2022 the Blueprint trail was discussed and the Board has agreed the recommendation from the Volunteer Committee that the trail was a success and that it should now be incorporated into CSSC’s normal business as usual (BAU).
It was clear that it has made a valuable and telling contribution to how CSSC, the Regions, Areas and our Volunteer community are better able to communicate, engage and progress CSSC matters.
As you are aware the three main elements of the Blueprint are:
- Area representation at Regional Committee meetings to plan and discuss funding and events.
- The selection of a Regional representative to attend Volunteer Committee meetings.
- Shared regional events/activities/offers using “top Slice” funding.
Should you require any further information, your VTL will be able to assist.
NuTickets training
Our lovely VTL Jenny Yarrow is still offering Nutickets training sessions for all volunteers. There are sessions for learning the basics, making the most of the reporting functions and general Q and A sessions. To sign up, click here and find a session that suits you
Improvement Plans
A new year and with this comes new plans! we have released a number of documents outlining our vision and strategy for the next five years. The plans are exciting, ambitious and will ensure we can support our vision to inspire our members to explore new ways to be active while maintaining and developing their physical and mental health. The plans are available to read here
There are two new plans which will be of specific interest to volunteers. These are:
- The Volunteer Improvement Plan- Discover our plan for the volunteering aims and objectives for the next five years here
- The Sports Improvement Plan- Read about our plan to refocus our intentions and outline our ambitions here
A big well done!
In 2022 we awarded 22 certificates of recognition to our volunteers. In January alone we have already awarded six!
Three of the six have been presented to:
- Sandy Watt
- Avril Watson
- Michelle Doig
The other three are still to be presented so we will keep them stum for now…
If you know a volunteer who deserves recognition, you can nominate them here.
Turn up the volume!
The volunteers at CSSC do such an amazing job at organising a wealth of events, activities and opportunities for our members to get involved in. However, you’re a modest lot and don’t always blow your own trumpet. We want this to change, and we want our volunteers to turn up the volume and shout about the incredible work you do. The best place to do this is social media, utilising these platforms to highlight to members all the events you offer.
The coms team will help you share your events on social media, so please can you send any details of your events or activities to editor@cssc.co.uk email address. From here the team will choose the most suitable social channel and get it out there for you.
To help tell your story and really showcase your endeavours please include as much detail as possible such as:
- Nice clear photos of events (think people having fun and engaged)
- Dates, locations, who arranged, any partners involved, number of participants etc
- Any similar upcoming events to mention
- Any quotes from participants or organisers
That’s it for your first V News of the year! As always, the VTL team are here to support you (volunteersupport@cssc.co.uk) and we look forward to seeing you at AGMs in March.
