CAS in Conversation – A Podcast Led by Community Action Suffolk, featuring the county’s VCFSE sector

In this episode, we chat to Bryan Laxton, Chair of Grundisburgh Village Hall.

One year on from the opening of the superb modern facility in the heart of its Suffolk community, Bryan discusses what it took to fund and achieve the building’s creation, and what it’s meant to the community in the 12 months since.

In this episode, Ben Poole tells us about why and how he came to set up Lowestoft Boxing Academy.

A winner of the Suffolk Community Awards, he opens up about the challenges in running a volunteer-led organisation, while celebrating the tremendous generosity and community spirit which has enabled his academy to thrive.

Ben also discusses why volunteering is something everyone should consider, and how it can help transform lives.

In this episode, Michael Strand, Community Fundraising Manager for Suffolk Wildlife Trust tells the story of Martlesham Wilds.

He reveals how the land became available, the status of fundraising to fully own the site, and all the many and varied plans for how it may develop in the coming years – and what opportunities there are to get involved as a volunteer.

If you’re listening to this ahead of Wednesday 5th April, you may wish to access the Trust’s latest webinar:

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/82180069/04NcQ_juBkips9s8dQ9Oug?u=https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events/2023-04-05-wildlife-live-webinar-martlesham-wilds

For further volunteering opportunities with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, take a look at https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/volunteer

We all know that charities and voluntary sector organisations have been finding it difficult to recruit and retain volunteers, particularly since the dawning of the cost of living crisis.

One charity which urgently needs more volunteers, is Riding for the Disabled – Woodbridge and District.

Here, Kelvin Silburn, from the charity, talks about the importance of attracting more people to help the organisation continue its good work.

In this episode, we talk to Andy Skinner, of AMS Business Consultants.

Andy talks about why he chooses to be part of Suffolk Prohelp, and discusses some of the projects and organisations he’s been able to help through his voluntary work.

If you’re interested in chatting to Andy about AMS, or want more advice about becoming involved in Prohelp in the way he did, please contact him directly at andyskinner@amsbusinessconsultants.co.uk

Find out about Prohelp at https://www.suffolkprohelp.org.uk/

Karen Harris, Head of Citizens in Policing for Suffolk Constabulary, discusses the great many roles and opportunities which are available for anyone considering a volunteer role with the police.

You might be a young person keen to be a cadet – whether or not you’re considering a future in the force, or you might be an adult looking for something additional to your career, or to further your community engagement whilst also being a parent or carer.

Take a listen to the many opportunities, and listen out for ways in which to reach Karen and the team if you’re keen to know more.

We would also love to hear from anyone who has taken on such a post in recent years. Email debbie.watson@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

In this episode, Jo Dixon, from Girlguiding Suffolk, gives a timely insight into the guiding movement, in the very week that the world celebrates Thinking Day.

As Jo explains, Thinking Day was selected because it coincided with the date of Baden Powell’s birthday (and indeed, his wife’s) and allows us to think about the community of guiding across the globe.

Jo shares some of the great and many benefits of being involved in the guiding movement, and talks about the opportunity to be a volunteer within your local group.

In this episode, Community Action Suffolk’s Premises Manager, Kareena Chapman, talks about the many activities and initiatives taking place at Lowestoft’s Kirkley Centre.

She shares an insight into some of the more recent meetings and events, as well as timely community support projects, like Warm Rooms.

And, as a further note of interest for anyone considering a new location in 2023, Kareena reveals an opportunity for a business or VCFSE organisation to take over one of the office spaces at this superb facility.

Do get in touch with Kareena if you’d like to know more.

Kareena.chapman@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

Here, he chats about his motivations to volunteer, the various roles he’s taken on within the community, and what it takes to be an effective trustee.

Calling on his many years of experience within and around the sector, he shares his views on the many mental, physical and social benefits of getting involved in volunteering initiatives.

You can read more about Kevin here: https://www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk/trustees/kevin-ward/

As a busy East of England charity, Ormiston Families has a wealth of opportunities for volunteering – be it in back-office roles, in supporting children, or in assisting with prison visits.

Here, Anya and Ginny talk about some of those roles, about why volunteering matters so much to the organisation, and what benefit is brought to adults of all ages who give time to support a good cause.

Ginny and Anya also reveal their own personal experiences of volunteering, including detailing how shared reading can give anyone a ‘warm fuzzy’!

Visit Ormiston Families’ website to find out more about current roles, or to arrange an informal chat.

https://www.ormiston.org/

In this episode of the Community Action Suffolk podcast, we bring you a chat with Tricia Connolly, secretary of the Tattingstone GNS.

She talks about her experiences of becoming involved in the good neighbour scheme, what benefits she feels such projects bring to a community, and how she has pursued various roles of voluntary activity throughout her life.

February sees Public Health and Communities in Suffolk, looking at the idea of emotional connection within our mental health needs.

In this episode we chat to Chris Pyburn, Head of Digital and Communications, who tells us more about why this theme is being explored, what relevance volunteering plays in this, and how businesses and individuals can get involved in the weeks ahead.

For more detail about the campaign, go to https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/whats_on.page

Follow the campaign on social media, using the hashtag #BeWellSuffolk23

Our latest episode exploring the possibilities and positivity within volunteering, sees us chat to Chiara Saunders, CEO of Citizens Advice East Suffolk.

Chiara chats extensively about what’s involved in being a volunteer for her organisation, but also discusses her own journey into volunteering, and how she went from ‘filling a few hours’ at a small Leiston branch, to becoming Chief Exec of a merged region-wide offering.

She highlights what qualities are required to become a volunteer with her team, and also expands on the benefits to individuals of embracing a volunteer role in your community.

For more about Citizens Advice East Suffolk, go to  https://citizensadviceeastsuffolk.org.uk/

To apply for a role, email info@caes.org.uk

In this episode, we chat to Barrie Hayter, Group Scout Leader at 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts.
He talks about his own experiences of volunteering, and how he found himself offering just a few hours of time per week for the scouting movement – only to end up becoming a Group Leader to hundreds.

Barrie shares how vital volunteering is to the scouting movement, and how varied roles can be.

With this a particularly important year for 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts as they bid to grow their current ‘home’ by the riverside, he shares an update on what’s in store throughout 2023.

If you’d like to know more about 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts, their volunteering opportunities and their forthcoming events, please find them via their Facebook page.