Volunteering
New in Volunteer Roles
Have a look at all of the new volunteer roles that have been added to Simply Connect this month.
Trustee roles
Take a look at all of our volunteer Trustee roles on our Simply Connect System.
Linking Lives Befriending Service
Linking Lives Befriending Service has been supporting the lonely and socially isolated in Bedford Borough for almost five years.
Embrace (formerly Bedford District Cerebral Palsy Society)
Embrace (formerly Bedford District Cerebral Palsy Society); are a small charity based in Bedfordshire, who have been established since 1954. We started the process of a rebrand last May, where we used the expertise of Natalie Murray, from The Edge Brands to guide us on our journey to a new name and logo.
Dogs Trust Freedom Volunteer Foster Carer
Freedom is a dog fostering service helping people find freedom from domestic abuse. By fostering a dog, you'll enable the owner to access a refuge, safe in the knowledge their dog is safe.
Volunteer with Beyond Detention
Beyond Detention provides emotional and practical support such as befriending, clothes and phone credit to people detained in Yarl’s Wood IRC
Short term volunteering at Wimpole Hall
Last year we experimented with short-term volunteering at Wimpole to bring in enough people to keep the House open over the Christmas holidays, one of our busiest periods. We created the new role of Christmas Experience Volunteer, which was similar to our standard House Experience Volunteer role, but limited to the five-week period between 25th November and 1st January.
The English Regional Transport Association
ERTA is a voluntary membership-based, pro-public transport improvement association. Line re-openings is right up our street in advocacy, campaigning and nurturing congenial agreement and resolution, bringing people together and making common cause.
Volunteer Feature - Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) does much more than just respond to emergencies, they also carry out activities to protect lives and properties – and is now recruiting volunteers.
Corporate Volunteering
Big Green Week 2023
Big Green Week runs from 10 - 18 June, check out the amazing green volunteering roles we have to offer
Central Bedfordshire Council Waste Reduction
Take action within your community to increase recycling, reduce waste and improve the local environment. Join Central Bedfordshire Council’s waste reduction volunteer team.
Volunteer Feature: Food ETC CIC
We talked to Julie Clay, director of Food etc, a Community Interest Company which provides cookery workshops to disadvantaged people across Bedfordshire. Its growing team of volunteers uses cheap and nutritious food to show people how to prepare and enjoy healthier meals.
Volunteering Feature : Re-engage
Whatever your age, social isolation may be affecting you and volunteering could be a big part of the answer to solving this problem. So this month, we have sought out opportunities that might help anyone who wants to make new contacts with people and is happy to offer help along the way through volunteering to undertake specific tasks.
Volunteering to Support Families
Some volunteering opportunities from the CVS Simply Connect platform that will support families.
Volunteering Feature: FACES
We look at the work being done by FACES in Bedford, to support local families and how volunteers are critical to their service.
Don't want to commit? Try some one off volunteering
If you are not sure whether volunteering is for you, or if you already have a lot of commitments and very little time, then a good way to offer your support to organisations is to try some one off volunteering opportunities.
Green Flag Awards in Bedfordshire and Luton
It is great to see parks and open spaces across Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough being recognised as amongst the best in the country once again. Volunteers play a significant part in keeping these spaces going.
Volunteering Feature: Mentoring
A look at how Community Led Initiatives uses volunteer peer mentors to encourage people to improve their lives.
Volunteering Tips: Connect in Person
Simply Connect is a self contained platform allowing you to connect with the many different organisations with volunteering opportunities. But sometimes it helps to connect in person.
Befriending: Part of the solution to loneliness
A look at two local charities providing a valuable befriending service to our community and their volunteering opportunities.
Volunteer Your Language Skills
Put your languages to good use for Panacea Charitable Trust
Volunteering Tips: The Volunteer Bank
Some helpful hints on how to get the best out of our volunteering service.
Volunteering to Support Mental Health
Our current opportunities for those who are interested in supporting the mental health of others.
Volunteering: Raveen's Story
Raveen sought help for his mental health, started to volunteer with Big Local hosted by CVS and how has a permanent job. He shares his journey
Volunteering: Kirsty's Story
Kirsty volounteers for Mind BLMK and is now employed by them. She talks about her role and why she values it.
A Day to Connect
Mind BLMK Wellbeing Open Day is a chance to find out about mental health services avaialble in the community.
Boost your CV through Volunteering
Our thoughts on how volunteering might add to your CV.
Join the fun of Scouting
By volunteering in the Scouting and Guiding movement you will be joining the do-ers and give-it-a-go-ers
SMART Volunteering
Two opportunities to help SMARTcjs to support communities locally
Volunteering Pick for March
See this month's selection of volunteering opportunities, hand picked from our Simply Connect collection from local voluntary organisations and charities.
Volunteering Tips: What are your goals?
Volunteering is the perfect way to help you achieve your goals.
So many ways to show you care
How to make a difference in your local community and show that you care
Show you care: Refugees
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support refugees in your community.
Show you care: Community
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support people in your community in need of a helping hand.
Show you care: Disability
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support those in your community with disabilities.
Show you care: Families
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support those families in your community who are struggling.
Show you care: Older Adults
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support those in your community who are older adults
Show you care: Neighbours
A summary of the opportunities for volunteering to support your neighbours
Updates to Simply Connect volunteer recruitment dashboard
Changes to the way the recruitment tool is used will make online recruitment more effective
Behind the Rails
A look at local volunteering opportuniites in retail
Make life easier for unpaid family carers
Volunteers at Carers in Bedfordshire work alongside staff in a wide range of roles.
Me? A Trustee?
Trustees are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Find out about this highly rewarding form of volunteering.
Volunteering Tips for Trustees
Top Tips if you are thinking of volunteering as a Trustee.
Reducing Reoffending and Crime
Play your part by becoming a trustee with YouTurn Futures
Join the Charity where anything can happen
Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society is looking for a new chair of their Board.
Get on board with CPRE
Opportunities to volunteer with CPRE and save our green spaces.
Do something Amazing!
Volunteer with girlguiding to find your place in a team of inspirational women.
Going Green with Volunteering
A look at climate change and environment based organisations and volunteering opportunities in Bedfordshire
Green Volunteering
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire
Volunteering opportunities for those passionate about Health and Social Care
Volunteering Tips 4:
Sell yourself.
A few words of advice
on Volunteering as an Adviser
Access to Wheelchairs during Covid-19
British Red Cross service is currently recruiting volunteers for their Mobility Aids service.
Tools with a Mission
Can you help collect donated tools which will go to Africa?
Volunteering Tips: Using Keywords Interests and Activities
How to be specific when searching for opportunities on Simply Connect.
Will volunteering get me a job?
A brief look into the ways in which volunteering can help you get back into employment.
10 minutes of community in Luton
Volunteer for 10 minutes at a time in Luton Borough to instil civic pride back into neighbourhoods
Volunteering Tips: Post code search
Helping you to find the right volunteer position for you.
Volunteering: Citizens Advice Bedford
Citizens Advice Bedford is looking for new volunteer advisors to join their team, and also has an opportunity for a money advice assistant.
Can you help our Bedford Museums ?
Volunteering opportunities at John Bunyan Museum and Library and at Panacea Society in Bedford.
Volunteer Newsletter
Volunteers Week 2021: A time to say thanks
At Community Voluntary Service we want to mark this week by acknowledging the momentous effort that has gone into so many volunteering activities.
Volunteering: One Housing Group
One Housing Group has several volunteering roles available in Bedford and Luton, helping vulnerable people to re-build their lives and take an active part in their wider community.
Volunteering: Get back into retail at Wood Green Animal Shelter
Wood Green The Animals Charity Shops are now re-opening and there are opportunities in retail for volunteers.
Don't stop thinking about volunteering
The response to appeals for volunteers has been phenomenal during the Covid-19 pandemic. As things start to adapt to a new normal, don't stop thinking about volunteering.
Setting up a local support group
An example of good practice, on starting from scratch setting up a new support group in response to Coronavirus.
Covid-19
Celebrating Volunteering - Focus on Paul
We are celebrating the volunteering input of members of staff here at CVS .
Celebrating Volunteering - Focus on Mark
We are celebrating the volunteering input of members of staff here at CVS ..
Volunteering
Become a Volunteer
Become a Volunteer - We have hundreds of opportunities to choose from!