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RED
CROSS LAUNCHES CERTIFICATE FOR YOUNG RETAIL VOLUNTEERS
THE Red Cross
is launching the ‘British Red Cross Certificate in Retail Skills’,
a nationally recognised qualification specifically designed for
young charity shop volunteers. The first of its kind in the UK, the
scheme launching on 29 May allows young volunteers to channel their
efforts into a recognised qualification.
The British Red Cross acknowledges the importance of involving young
people in the charity retail sector. With 1 in 3 people in Britain
is defined as ‘youth’, young people represent the 2nd largest
element of the customer base for charity shops, with 15% of 18 to 24
year olds visiting a charity shop more than 21 times a year.
Miranda Bradley, retail development adviser at the British Red Cross
said:- “Young people are essential to the Red Cross and we
want to position ourselves as leaders in the charity retail sector
for young people. The benefits are huge for both us as a charity and
the young people involved. By recruiting more young people to
volunteer in Red Cross shops, the shops will become more attractive
to young customers. The new Certificate will enable young volunteers
to reach their potential, empowering then to make the most of their
time with us, building up something tangible and useful for the
future.”
The British Red Cross Certificate in Retail Skills is a youth led
project and was developed and designed by young volunteers under the
age of 26. Young people were involved from the outset, with a young
intern managing the project. 2 new roles for young retail volunteers
were created in the Trading Department of the British Red Cross to
encourage youth participation at a local and national level.
Lucy Pugh, 17, a volunteer who helped devise the Certificate
comments:- “The new Certificate in Retail Skills came about
because we as young volunteers and the shop managers felt that there
was something more to gain from our volunteering. Through this
qualification, young people have greater responsibility in their
workplace, build up their confidence and also get to learn a lot
more about the Red Cross. The Certificate is a fantastic way to get
more young people involved in the work of the organisation in the
way that suits them, as it can be tailored to the tastes and
interests of the young volunteers. Being able to participate in this
qualification will help keep volunteering exciting and make it a
recognisable achievement.”
The British Red Cross ‘Certificate in Retail Skills’,
developed according to the Russell Commission criteria, is available
at both standard and advanced levels. The standard level is an
introduction to retail, allowing young volunteers to develop the
skills needed for paid employment in retail. The advanced level is
designed for longer-term volunteers and allows young people to get
involved in in depth projects such as managing a department in the
shop or developing skills in visual merchandising.
The British Red Cross is also launching the ‘Retail Innovation
Fund’ that will make 4 awards of £250 available for young retail
volunteers for innovative and creative projects that will increase
shop sales or raise awareness of a British Red Cross shop within the
community. Examples include holding a fashion show or designing and
making new stock for sale.
The Certificate in Retail launch will take place on Tuesday 29 May
2007,
3pm to 4.30pm, at the British Red Cross Head Office, Moorgate,
London. |
Calling all animal lovers – volunteer receptionists needed!
CALLING all
animal lovers! Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, is appealing for
people to donate a little of their time to the charity for pets in
need of vets by lending a ‘paw’ at Everton PDSA PetAid
hospital.
Staff at Everton PDSA
PetAid hospital are looking to recruit volunteers who can assist
with reception duties at the PetAid hospital on 36 – 40 Richmond
Terrace. The role is the initial point of contact with members
of the public who contact PDSA by phone. Other duties including
registering new clients by computer, booking appointments and taking
payment for preventive services and processing donations, plus any
other office tasks to ensure the smooth running of the PetAid
hospital.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Stephen McArdle, says:- “Every
year volunteers save PDSA a massive £8.5 million across the UK, and
we are very grateful for their dedication to helping pets in need of
vets. Here at Everton PDSA PetAid hospital, we are
looking for a well-organised, reliable person, with good
communication and keyboard skills and who is used to dealing with
the public. This is a very rewarding but challenging role, so please
get in touch today to find out more about helping PDSA.”
Over 4,800 volunteers help in PDSA’s 181 shops, 43 PetAid hospitals,
4 PetAid branches and 81 fundraising groups. PDSA volunteer
opportunities are available across the UK and are listed on the PDSA
website. For more information about
becoming a volunteer, please contact PDSA National Volunteering
Centre on freephone 0800 854 194.
For further information about PDSA PetAid services please call
freephone 0800 731 2502 or visit
www.pdsa.org.uk.
A
Million Move to Escape Neighbour Noise and more raucous revelry
ACCORDING to a
new Ipsos MORI survey, 2% of people say they have moved house to
escape noisy neighbours. The report also found that noise from cars
and motorbikes is now the most common cause of annoyance in our
neighbourhoods, affecting 1 in 5 people, and 70% are bothered by
noise in their neighbourhood.
"This new research shows that noise continues to have a major
impact - as for 45% of our sample, (compared to 35% in 2006) it
affects their quality of life to some extent at home. Many
neighbourhood noise problems are the result of inconsiderate
behaviour, and can be solved by the common sense, practical
solutions being promoted at local level during Noise Action Week." said
Philip Mulligan, NSCA Acting Chief Executive.
In addition, the survey results indicate that noise from pubs, clubs
and entertainment venues is a source of increasing bother,
particularly for those living in Scotland, with increasing outdoor
revelry since the indoor smoking ban. We also asked people
about outdoor areas they consider quiet - and 59% are lucky enough
to have quiet gardens, with 38% considering their street quiet.
However, for an unlucky 1%, there are no quiet areas, rising to 5%
among Londoners.
During Noise Action Week professionals involved in managing
neighbour noise - local authorities, housing providers and mediation
services - are raising awareness of noise issues at local level,
providing advice and information on reducing noise, on realistic
expectation of noise and legislation to manage noise. |
