As we gallop headlong towards the new academic year, it feels like it’s already time to schedule in a little breathing space out and about in the community. Here at SVO land we’ve been recruiting a new team member, rounding up challenge events and smartening up our procedures for our Investing in Volunteers accreditation.
Feedback from the assessment has been very useful…we will be introducing some sort of volunteering insignia-type-thing for those digging holes in public places after the ladies from the business School found themselves being hollered at by white van man to “get a proper job.” We’ll ensure too that there isn’t a hint of orange overall as aforementioned ladies were also assumed to be working out their community service. Mind you…
And thanks to the volunteers who took part in the IiV assessment interviews; not a hint of snarkiness to be found which proved to the assessor that our SVO scheme was doing rather well. Either that or we’d bribed everyone but it’s pretty clear we just don’t have the sort of cash to fork out for a lot of sherry and buns.
It’s that time of year too when some parents may feel a little bushier-tailed, a little lighter in the step. For others with little people heading off to school for the first time and who are perhaps feeling a little tearful that their beloved poppet (wearing an oversized uniform that’s only really going to look good for two days max) is striding out to conquer the world or maybe just Primary 1, we’ve been arranging a few distractions for you.
For those that are feeling relieved that they’ve survived 6 weeks of pass-the-parcel childcare, teenager angst or bank-busting distractions/activities/bribes for their little treasures, your alternative therapies have been arranged.
And for those of you who have a life…
Volunteering often conjures up images of cardigan-clad senior citizens staffing the local charity shop with the level of financial acumen that would put the banking establishment to shame…and for those of you interested in pursuing such activities we can in fact place you at appropriate venues.
In reality though, it’s more often about lending a helping hand; it’s much more practical, pragmatic and direct. A team from Biomedical Sciences found out at the start of the summer that their morning spent fixing up the garden of a person that had previously been homeless and who had enduring mental health issues, was in fact life-changing when the tenant attempted to engage with and really enjoy the company of other people - a first for him in a long time.
To get a flavour of the work we’ve been involved in, the first edition of our newsletter is out and available online at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/volunteer/volunteers/factsheet/
For more information about opportunities, charities and events, drop us a line at: community.engagement@ durham.ac.uk
Laters!