AVOW successfully received funding to develop the Wrexham Voluntary Response Team. This follows on from the work we have been involved with during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wrexham Community Response Team will allow us to address local issues such as flooding, fire, missing persons, or additional services and community events as required.
AVOW is developing a Wrexham Voluntary Response Team in collaboration with Wrexham County Borough Council, local Community Councils, Community Agents, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).
The Volunteering Bank
We will recruit a bank of volunteers and organisations from across Wrexham County Borough for opportunities and roles within local, regional, and national communities. The initiative will develop a Volunteering ‘passport’ for the area that will allow volunteers to move between organisations which will include:
- A current DBS certificate
- A wide variety of training and qualifications
- Relevant experience within organisations in the county
There will also be the opportunity to carry out further training for more specific qualifications.
Further Development for the Wrexham Community Response Team
As the initiative develops there will be further opportunities for volunteers to take on more specific leadership roles within the Wrexham Community Response Team. This will be an ongoing assessment of unique skills, experience, and interests as specific circumstances arise.
The bank of volunteers will be called upon when a community crisis arises and not part of a regular volunteering schedule. However, training opportunities will be ongoing to keep developing the individual and organisations skill set in preparation for any situation. This will be in the form of:
- Ongoing training
- Further training
- ‘Practice’ sessions with external public services
- Volunteering experiences, etc.
Team members will be able to access one-off opportunities, supporting other organisations with fundraising and at events.
How to apply
Please follow the link to register as a potential volunteer at the Volunteering-Wales website.
Sign-up for the opportunity to become part of the Wrexham Community Response Team on the Volunteering-Wales website.
What happens next?
- All potential volunteers will be invited to an informal virtual meeting with the Wrexham Volunteer Centre.
- All potential volunteers and organisations will be given a link to the below training courses and able to sign-up for one or more over the next few weeks.
- As training is completed a member of the Wrexham Volunteer Centre will be in touch to discuss any specialisms and potential volunteering opportunities.
- When further information, training, and experience becomes available you will be contacted by one of the Wrexham Volunteer Centre Officer’s and given further advice on your potential role.
Available Training Opportunities
Training for potential volunteers:
- Mental Health First Aid
- How to Find Trustees
- Health & Safety
- Basic First Aid
- Looking After Assets
- Good Governance
- Safeguarding
- Equality & Diversity
- Data Protection
- Food Safety & Hygiene
Training for voluntary organisations and community groups:
- Good Governance
- How to Find a Trustee
- Looking After Your Assets
Meanwhile, we encourage potential volunteers and voluntary organisations to connect with AVOW through one of the following network meetings:
- Available Meetings and Networks
- Virtual Volunteer Marketplace
- Community Buildings Network
- Volunteer Managers Network