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Bringing my Volunteering Academy baby into the world!

6 July 2023 - 4:38pm

I recently read an article that had drawn parallels with planning, executing and managing a new project as something similar to having a baby and the last few weeks have certainly made me agree. As part of a team who are working towards bringing our idea of making volunteering inclusive, easy and accessible to all through our new ‘baby’ Volunteering Academy, I can certainly relate to my experiences of bringing new lives into this world.

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Full of hope for 2022

10 January 2022 - 5:29pm

It’s a new year and a fresh start. Like many people, I can’t help but become reflective at this time of year. It feels like some things just won’t go away – Covid-19 seems likely to be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future. There is always a lot of hot air in the media that seems at odds with our lived reality.

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Using crafts to overcome barriers to volunteering

26 September 2019 - 2:20pm

Using craft sessions to boost your CV? Yes, it works, and let me explain how.

My role at MVDA is volunteer development officer for the Step Forward Tees Valley project which aims to overcome barriers to work for people. One of the ways we do this is by supporting a participant into a volunteering position to enhance their skills, develop their confidence and boost their CV’s.

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Shining a light - what a week!

13 June 2019 - 8:37pm

National Volunteers Week falls on 1 -7th June every year. It is a chance for charities to thank the many amazing people without whom their organisation would not be able to do what they do.

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We need to value unpaid work

26 March 2018 - 3:28pm

Hazel Bloor is Volunteering Development Officer for Step Forward Tees Valley in Middlesbrough, based at MVDA. She supports participants on the SFTV programme to access volunteer roles within the VCO sector in Middlesbrough, as well as running a new supported group volunteering programme called ‘Community Heroes’ in partnership with Changing Lives.

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