Our Volunteer Coordinators network meeting held on 15 September explored involving and supporting older volunteers. There are further details on our website here. Thanks to all who came along particularly Fiona Andrews from Dementia Forward and Viv Fleming from the Voice & Representation of People aged 50+ Network for their invaluable contribution and insights.    

October is Menopause Awareness Month with 18 October being World Menopause Day. 

Henpicked have created a WMD 2022 Booklet which has links to some useful videos/resources that may be of interest. Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership are also offering a Menopause Festival from 17th – 20th October with some interesting speakers/talks and events. You can find out further details and book here. You may like to pass details on to colleagues/teams that may find these of interest.

We’ve just launched our social action toolkit; a one stop shop for anyone wishing to take social action in their community. We’ve gathered useful resources, tips, templates and guides to help you get started from finding funding and setting up a bank account, to how to engage with your community and carrying out risk assessments for events. Why not have a browse and be inspired to make a difference in your local community.

Many young people are being blocked from volunteering due to concerns over their mental health, a government-commissioned report has found. The Institute for Community Studies’ rapid evidence review found that 11-to-30-year-olds faced a “triple burden” when trying to balance volunteering with their work, family life and mental health.

Have you seen our latest training offers? We have of lovely low cost courses available. Of particular interest might be the sessions on improving your Facebook and Instagram skills. 

Friday 11th November 10.00am – 3.00pm

Is your organisation based in Hambleton or Richmondshire? Hambleton Community Action are offering free sighted guiding training to volunteers and anyone who supports someone with a visual impairment. The training will be facilitated by Liz Lockey and Ruth Barker, recently approved as trainers by Guide Dogs Association. The sessions will take place in Northallerton Bowling Club. To reserve place please contact admin@hambletoncommunityaction.org or phone 01609 780458 ext #203.

Tuesday 4 October 10am-12pm or Wednesday 5 October 6-8pm. 
Ripon YMCA,
5 Water Skellgate, Ripon 

The course is free and delivered by YMCA Staff for anyone who would like a better understanding of mental health, including volunteers, support workers, parents, carers, professionals and local community members.

The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning increase as we move towards Autumn and Winter. The Gas Safe Charity continue to offer more of their popular and free carbon monoxide awareness workshops. Aimed at front line staff and volunteers, they help people who work in the homes of vulnerable people to be more aware of the risks and to help prevent poisoning taking place. 

Join Media Trust (8 November) for a free ‘Building Engaging Presentations’ masterclass run in partnership with Google Digital Garage. Whether you’re in front of your board of trustees, volunteers, funders or your colleagues, knowing how to present to an audience is one of the most important skills you can master.

Autumn is traditionally conference season and here are just a few that have caught our eye recently

Shaping Our Lives' first UK user-led inclusive involvement conference, Thinking outside the (tick) box is taking place on Tuesday 1 November 10:15 – 15:30.  It offers an opportunity to learn from marginalised communities about how to make involvement inclusive and effective. The conference, which is free, can be joined online or in Birmingham. Further details here.