Thinking of Volunteering?

MENTER Cwm Gwendraeth is looking for local organisations to work with it to develop volunteering opportunities across the community.

It has been given the go ahead to employ a Volunteer Development Officer to encourage volunteering and work with people in rural Carmarthenshire.

The aim of the project is to encourage volunteering and the role of the Volunteer Development Officer is to recruit Community Mentor Leaders and volunteers.

Target groups include 16-25-year-olds, over-50s, unemployed people, disabled people and under-represented groups.

These events will be promoted using local partnership networks including the Youth Service, the Carmarthenshire 50+ Forum, local Job Centres, and GP Practices. It will involve supporting the development of volunteers, providing them with skills and confidence, and increasing development and lifelong learning initiatives.

Menter will provide each volunteer with a development plan.

Possible opportunities to volunteer in the community that Menter Cwm Gwendraeth hopes to provide include Age Concern Glass Recycling Collections for over 50+, the Twilight Service (Menter Min Nos) hospital transport service, stewards for Gwyl Cerdd Dant 2011, Meals on Wheels food deliveries in the Gwendraeth Valley, local organisers of fun activities for Gwyl y Gwendraeth, Railway track clearing and trashing, Papur y Cwm editorial contributors and sellers, and the History Project.

Anyone wishing to become involved can contact David Saywell of Menter Cwm Gwendraeth directly on 01269 871600 0r 07891 487247.

David Saywell said: “Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has a long tradition of involving volunteers in its work. The aim is to offer individuals and groups the opportunity to develop community oriented skills and initiatives which help them improve basic services in their areas. The aim is also to identify workable solutions to local rural issues at grass root level from within the communities themselves.

“For volunteers who are on a journey of personal and skills development, advice will be provided on further volunteering opportunities that are available within the county.”