St. Hilda’s East has a long established and rich history of volunteering with volunteers involved in services across the organisation. This continues today with the Community Volunteer Project. We host a wide range of volunteers, from individuals, to students from Cheltenham Ladies’ College (its alumnae association, Guild, is our founding institution), to corporate volunteers volunteering on either a short- or long-term basis.
Individuals
We need volunteers who can help us provide a range of services designed to promote social inclusion and help members of our local community in their daily lives.
We aim to recruit volunteers from all backgrounds and cultures to reflect the nature of our local community.
We provide:
- Free training – available on personal development and Social Enterprise Skills.
- Travel and Lunch expenses – Volunteers get food and travel expenses paid while working here.
- References – If you volunteer for three months we can provide you with a reference.
If you are interested in volunteering, you can pick up the volunteer application pack from reception at St. Hilda’s East Community Centre or download it online. Please return your completed application form to us either by post, hand-delivered or by email.
What could you do?
Volunteering opportunities for our various programmes.
Older People’s Project
Volunteers assist with activities such as arts and crafts, keep fit, games and quizzes, parties, outings and teaching computer classes. Administration opportunities are also available which could include helping to produce with our newsletter.
Food Co-op Project
This project involves selling affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to the local community, with an emphasis on locally sourced produce. We need volunteers interested in helping to source and sell the produce to make this social enterprise sustainable.
Women’s Project
As a volunteer, you would assist in regular activities with a vibrant group of local women. Sessions include cooking, arts, sewing and swimming and various outings throughout the year. You can also help organise events such as fundraisers, international women’s day and training sessions.
Youth Project
Volunteers are needed to work on social education programmes with this group of young people. You can develop skills in conflict resolution, peer support and youth work.
Under 5’s & Crèche
As a volunteer, you would work with pre-school children aged 0-4 years assisting in crèche childcare and play sessions. You can gain childcare skills and develop an understanding of child development. We currently only accept volunteers who have, or are studying towards, a childcare qualification.
Reception and Administration
Volunteers are needed in the reception area at St Hilda’s East Community Centre and Sonali Gardens. You would provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, book appointments and undertake various administrative duties.
Sonali Gardens Daycare Centre
At our day centre for local adults and elders with disabilities you would be involved in escorting members of the group to and from Sonali Gardens and assisting with activities such as exercise, music sessions, playing carrom and reading. You will gain skills necessary for work within the health and social care fields.
Minibus Drivers and Passenger Assistants
Many of our projects need passenger assistants and (MiDAS) trained drivers. If you have a clean driving licence for the past 2 years and are over 21 you could be eligible to train as a minibus driver. We will cover the cost of training and ask for at least 3 months volunteering from you in return.
Advice Service
Volunteers who are currently studying with Island Advice Centre are placed at our Advice Service to provide advice on issues such as housing, benefits and debt.
Corporate Volunteering
St. Hilda’s East works with a wide range of large and small companies who understand the benefit of voluntary action for employers, employees and the community as a whole.
Volunteering improves morale, increases staff retention and helps employees to develop new skills, confidence and enthusiasm in a creative environment which can be transferred to the workplace.
In the last year St. Hilda’s East has placed over 100 employees as volunteers and we would welcome support from other companies.
If your corporate social responsibility team would like to support St. Hilda’s East, please contact us on 020 7739 8066 or by email.
Short-term corporate team volunteering
We recruit corporate teams for a day at a time who may want to help with an event, paint some rooms or organise an outing. These teams have included volunteers from Barclays Bank, Coopers, Deloitte and Natwest.
Long-term corporate partners
St Hilda’s East has a long term and close working relationship with the following companies who give a regular commitment of time and energy to our community through volunteering.
- Staff from a number of major national law firms run pro bono legal advice sessions at St Hilda’s East Community Centre and Sonali Gardens Centre.
- DLA Piper UK, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Lloyd’s Register and Allen & Overy help with volunteer IT tutoring at St Hilda’s Community Centre and Sonali Gardens.
- Staff from Credit Suisse have given their time to assist with the design and production of our Annual Report since 2006.
- City of London and Lumina regularly provide one-off volunteers as photographers, massage therapists, reflexologists, social media consultants, HR consultants, event organisers and mentors.
- Canary Wharf Group have facilitated networking at St Hilda’s and Corporate Social Responsibility events to increase partnership work between local and corporate companies.
Cheltenham Ladies’ College students
Cheltenham Ladies’ College (CLC) students have been volunteering at St. Hilda’s East for many years now in various capacities. Typically, CLC students volunteer during school holidays from a few days to several weeks.
CLC students have been involved in a wide range of projects including assisting with days trips’, helping in the crèche, organising activities such as quizzes and arts sessions. The Youth Project and Older People’s Project are among our services that have benefits from the girls’ involvement.
A placement at St. Hilda’s East will be an added interesting dimension to your university application, Duke of Edinburgh Award or generally to provide you with a new experience where you can meet a set of diverse and interesting people from a totally different background to yourself.
If you are at CLC and would like to volunteer at St. Hilda’s East, please contact us by email or telephone 020 7739 8066.
We also host international volunteers
Clayton Volunteering – USA
St. Hilda’s East has worked in partnership with Winant Clayton Volunteering for over 20 years. A volunteer has been placed every summer with us for 10 weeks and this has proved to be a fruitful and enriching experience for both the volunteer and St. Hilda’s projects. Volunteers are supported with accommodation through WCV and volunteer at St. Hilda’s on a full-time basis during their placement supporting the Older People’s Project.
CAPA International Education – USA
St. Hilda’s East has worked in partnership with CAPA International Education for over 5 years. We provide experiential learning for students combining their academic and practical experiences together via community placements. Internship students are placed from 2 – 8 weeks and provide a unique and special addition to the St. Hilda’s East community.