TELFORD & WREKIN VOLUNTEER CENTRE CAMPAIGNS 2009-2010
One of the roles of Telford & Wrekin Volunteer Centre is to ensure that volunteering is kept high on the agenda at a local, regional and national level to ensure a volunteer friendly environment. This includes maintaining an awareness of national policies that can have an impact on volunteers and volunteering.
.
For 2009 - 2010 two issues have been identified
.
Issue 1: Volunteering and Benefits - the 16 hour Myth
People who visit the Volunteer Centre who have been referred from the Job Centre are often under the erroneous impression that they can only volunteer for up to 16 hours otherwise they can lose their benefits.This is the result of being given the wrong information from Job Centre Staff or from other support agencies. To combat this the Volunteer Centre is actively campaigning to widen awareness of the 16 hour myth.
Identify Goal | Taking Action/Communication Method | Impact/Notes |
People on benefits who wish to volunteer should be given the correct information from Job Centre Advisors and from other support agencies. | Letter to Job centre Managers Visit to Job Centre Managers Talks in Employment Forums Social Networks Leaflets to Job centre on appropriate referrals to the Volunteer Centre | Training issue for Job Centre Advisors
|
Issue 2 - Volunteering and Expenses - the 40p cap
People who visit the Volunteer Centre feel that they are disadvantaged by the 40 pence per mile cap imposed by the government. This is particularly detrimental to people who wish to volunteer as a Volunteer Driver and therefore limits their choices in volunteering.
Identify Goal | Taking Action/Communication Method | Impact/Notes |
To raise the 40 pence cap on claiming mileage to reflect the real cost of using a car for volunteering purposes | Letters To MP’s Social Networks Press Release | Shropshire Star |
The Centre is accredited to Volunteer England the integrated Development Agency for England.
Contact Information:
Telford and Wrekin Volunteer Centre
Meeting Point House, Southwater Square
Town Centre, Telford
Shropshire
TF3 4HS
01952 291350
Email:
Registered Charity Number: 702589 A Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 2436644
Registered Office: Meeting Point House, Southwater Square, Town Centre, Telford, TF3 4HS