“Dear Colleague

Welcome to the latest edition of the BOOST! Work Experience Project e-bulletin. Keeping you up to date with events on this new Volunteer Centre Southwark Project. In this edition you will find information on:

· Project Update · BOOST! Coffee Mornings · Drop in Session

· Job Club Surgery Project Update

My name is Shaun O’Regan and I am the new Work Experience Officer at the Volunteer Centre Southwark. My role is to work with Southwark residents in the North of the Borough covering SE1, SE16 and SE17 postcodes. I will be working with residents that are aged 25 and over that have been unemployed for 12 months or more.

The Volunteer Centre Southwark wants to enable Southwark residents to access structured volunteer placements within the voluntary and community sector in Southwark as a way of increasing employability and getting a job.

I will aim to increase Beneficiaries employability skills, CV’s, job applications and interview skills. Our aim is to also improve life skills through volunteering, improving self esteem and confidence.

Feel free to call me to discuss my project. I look forward to working with you all. · Beneficiaries referrals can be made by e-mailing or telephoning: Shaun@volunteercentres.org.uk, 0207 358 5958

BOOST! Coffee Mornings

For those of you who are new to our project, our coffee mornings are held once a month and are very informal. They are a good chance to meet our project workers and other volunteers! Our coffee mornings are an excellent opportunity to meet others in a relaxed atmosphere and to get to know the project or just to have a chat, discuss training, employment and volunteering opportunities available to you.

A couple of people have brought friends and key workers along to the previous coffee mornings as they did not want to make their way by themselves for the first time. So, if you have not been to our coffee mornings before and would like to bring a friend, please do so!

There will be tea and coffee for everybody and of course some yummy cakes. Coffee mornings usually last for about one hour, but it’s ok if you have to leave early or would like to stay longer.

Beneficiaries travel expenses will be re-imbursed (given back), if they keep their receipt’s for us to photocopy for our Finance Officer.

We will be meeting on Tuesday 23th September, Tuesday 28th October and Tuesday 25th November at Cafe Nova on the first floor of the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre.

If you know of anyone that would like to attend our coffee mornings please let me know.

Volunteer Centre Southwark Drop in Sessions

For beneficiaries who do not want to register on my Project, we have drop in sessions at the Centre. Volunteer Services are there to make volunteering easy and help with any volunteering needs. Drop in Sessions at the centre where beneficiaries will get help with finding opportunities that best suit their needs are on Tuesday’s 10am-4pm Wednesday’s 10am-4pm and Thursday’s between 10am-4pm.

Job Search Surgery

The Job Search Surgery aims to enhance the beneficiaries’ employment opportunities. Beneficiaries who join the programme will have a dedicated and experienced project staff member who will be able to provide one to one support, advice and encouragement during the process of finding employment.

The Surgery takes place on regular basis every Monday and Friday between 10am-4pm where employment advice and support will be provided to the project beneficiaries.

· Referrals could be made by e-mailing, telephoning Shaun@volunteercentres.org.uk, 0207 358 5958

Southwark Stars Volunteer Awards 2014

Southwark Stars Awards recognise the invaluable contribution volunteers across Southwark make to their communities. Awards are given to anyone who has completed over 100 hours of volunteering to support Southwark communities in the last 12 months. Groups can put forward up to 2 of their volunteers for a Southwark Stars Award.

To nominate volunteers please download and complete the nomination form HERE and return it to us via events@volunteercentres.org.uk by the deadline: Tuesday 16th September

If you require further information about my project or need advice around volunteer management then please contact me.

Best regards

Shaun O’Regan
Work Experience Officer”

Volunteer Centre Southwark
1st Floor, Unit 215 – 216                                      Elephant and Castle SE1 6TE

T: 020 7703 4205 D: 0207 358 5958                           F: 020 7358 6198

W: http://www.volunteercentres.org.uk E: shaun@volunteercentres.org.