Roving Re-tuners will be here to help you re-tune your equipment or answer any questions about re-tuning at the buxton and district volunteer centre on WEDNESDAY 16^th DECEMBER 2009

 

For more information click here

Charities are calling for a nationwide campaign to help promote mental health after a survey suggested more people are growing anxious.

Britons are more fearful than they were 10 years ago, the Mental Health Foundation says. And more people are suffering from anxiety, which can lead to depression.

The foundation wants a "mental health promotion campaign that shows individuals how to look after their own mental health".

But what might that involve? We asked mental health professionals for 10 simple suggestions... and guess what? Volunteering was one of them!

Do something for someone else… for free

Britons work the longest hours in Europe, and many have a lengthy commute.
Do we have the time to volunteer?

Finding the time may help boost our spirits, experts say. For instance, the Canadian Mental Health Association says giving time for free "gives a sense of purpose and satisfaction that paid work cannot".

If volunteering is good enough for Michael Howard, MP...

Dr Harper says: "Increasingly we live in a society where people focus on work and leisure and that whole aspect of giving something back to a community has changed."

The fact people give so generously to charity shows they respond to helping others, he says. They can take it one step further. "It's important to think about doing things locally. We need to build local communities. How about helping the neighbour next door, and getting to know the people in the next street."

The other suggestions included: 1) Lightboxes, 2) Get out in the garden, 3) Get out of breath, 4) Cook a meal from scratch, 5) Stroke a cat, 6) Pat yourself on the back, 7) Take up a lifetime hobby, 8) Seek intimacy, 9) Good things take time.

1) Volunteer Ranger - Conservation Work with Groundwork.

Groundwork supports communities in need, working with partners to help improve the quality of people’s lives, their prospects and potential and the places where they live, work and play.

They have a number of opportunities for people wishing to volunteer 'in the countryside' - clearing vegetation, step construction and repairing walls. 
Volunteers can be picked up from various locations in the peak - currently Buxton on a Friday.

2) Befriending - Visiting People who are isolated or live on their own with little contract.

Volunteers either visit older people who are isolated or enable young people with additional needs to access activities.

3) Fairplay - Work alongside children & young people with disabilities in North Derbyshire.

Fairplay aims to increase services for all children and young people and their parents and carers through playschemes, activity days, youth clubs, sibling days and support groups.

 

4) High Peak Toy Library - Work in libraries in the High Peak that provide children with toys.

Toy Libraries were introduced to Derbyshire over 30 years again - the one in Buxton, being amongst the first. Their aim is for "the public benefit of all local children by the provision of educational and stimulating toys and equipment.”

5) Transport - Drive older people to their medical appointments using a car or our adapted vehicle.

Volunteers drive older people to their medical appointments using their own car or our adapted vehicle for wheelchair users. 



Please contact Nikke or Alistair for more information about these or any other Volunteering opportunites.

16 Eagle Parade
Buxton. Derbyshire
SK17 6EQ
T: 01298 239 70
E: alistair@buxtonvc.org.uk or nikke@buxtonvc.org.uk

Starting this week, a new heathly eating scheme has been launched in Buxton, the High Peak.

The United Reform Church in partnership with the Health Trainer Project is offering a bag of seasonal vegetables from local suppliers at a cost of £3.


     (Pictured: A typical bag of Veg. Please note produce will vary seasonally)

This is a non-profit scheme aimed at promoting heathly eating in the community.

Bags are available for collection from Sure Start in Fairfield every Thursday between 12-2pm and the United Reform Church every Friday between 10-12pm.

For further details about this new initiative please contact:

Ross Burnage - Health Trainer Co-ordinator:
e: healthtrainer@buxtonvc.org.uk
t: 01298 23970

Welcome to Buxton Volunteer Centre's 'Volunteer News Blog'. 
Here we'll be posting new information and promoting activities that will be of interest to volunteers in Buxton, the High Peak and Derbyshire.

2009 is our 30th Anniversary and we'll be looking to mark the occasion with a celebration, along with our usual annual events:

Volunteers Week  (1st June - 5th June)
Summer Club      (27th July - 7th August)

Check out upcoming events in our 'Volunteer Events in Derbyshire' page.

Employment will also be an issue this year and we're working closely with Buxton Job Centre to offer opportunities from over 100 organisations to provide new skills and opportunities.  None of which will affect your benefits.

If you do have free time and are looking to gain new experience to help with future employment, or are simply looking to make a difference to your community - please contact us. 
                                        You'll feel the benefit!