Buckingham has a wealth of local community groups that are keen to recruit new volunteers. Do you have a few hours a week or month that you would like to dedicate to a local cause?
We spoke to eight different VCSE groups at Celebrate Buckingham Day on September 4th 2021 – they all told us that they needed volunteers! Watch the video above or open the tabs below to find out more.
Have a look at the information below from local groups who are recruiting volunteers now:
Buckingham Community Wildlife Project
Buckingham has a group of local organisations called the Buckingham Community Wildlife Project that work together to improve the environment including the Buckingham Railway Walk Conservation Group, The Buckingham Society, Maids Moreton Avenue Conservation Group, Buckingham Canal Society, Buckingham Town Council and Buckinghamshire Council.
Roles available: litter picking, heavy gardening, vegetation management, construction – volunteers built a functioning bridge in Cosgrove! We are also now running a Green Gym at our Bourton Meadow site near Buckingham
Roles available: Volunteers can support us on a regular or ad hoc basis and we have roles across the county, some of which can be done from home.
Our volunteers support patients and families directly in the Hospice; giving time and help in Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity Shops or by helping to organise and staff fundraising events for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. They also provide administrative support in the Charity’s Head Office in Aylesbury, or in the Hospice itself.
You can also find more information by popping into one of our local shops, 23 Bridge Street, Buckingham, MK18 1EL, to speak to the manager.
Wardens
Buckingham Town Council has direct involvement with the River Warden, Tree Warden and new Flood Warden schemes. Full details about how to get involved are available below.
The Town Council is currently looking for volunteers to help alert residents in the event of flooding in the town.
If you would like to be involved, please email office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk and ask to be added to the list of interested people.
The River Wardens are a group of volunteers formed following the serious pollution incident in June 2018, which seriously impacted most of the fish and insect life in the river for about 25km downstream from Brackley, who now monitor the quality of the river. The group carry out monthly surveys for the Riverfly Partnership at a site in Chandos Park of certain aquatic insect species to determine the ‘health’ of our river.If you would like further information or are interested in joining the River Wardens, please email Simon Bumstead at info@bdaafishing.org.uk
Roles available: urgently need a pianist, as well as actors, set builders and painters, making costumes, backstage roles, hair and makeup, chaperoning children
Roles available: Volunteer roles for Projectionists and General helpers, very flexible commitment.
How to get in touch:Website or email for more details
Roles available: Museum shop, general assistance
How to get in touch:Website or pop into the Old Gaol Shop for more details.
Community Projects
Roles available: driving 4x4s to respond to emergencies according to need, has included taking nurses and carers to work in bad weather, delivering food parcels and helping during flooding.
The Volunteer Car Service and YC2 Buckingham and Winslow Young Carers are both part of Community Care North Bucks which also includes Open House and North Bucks Carers.
Roles available: Driving patients to hospital appointments, teaching young carers new skills, support for young carers, fundraising
Join the Oxfam community. As a Retail Volunteer you will learn all about what goes into making our fantastic shop thrive. You can keep busy in the stockroom sorting and checking donations or be on the shop floor, serving customers and putting stock out on sale. Whatever suits you! Best of all you’ll be raising vital funds to support people facing poverty around the world.
About this role. We will give you all the training and support you need so you will develop your skills as part of our team. You don’t need to have any experience – we’ve got you covered. You can also get some lunch and travel costs too. Whatever you need, we’re here to help.
You can focus on any part of volunteering that interests you the most. As a Retail Volunteer you’ll develop skills that boost your confidence. Why not try a bit of everything?
Sorting donations including checking and pricing Serving customers on the till Create stylish window displays Keeping the shop fully stocked Helping donors as they come in
Volunteering that works for you. Volunteering can be very flexible to suit you. So even if your availability or skills don’t match this role, get in touch and we will find something right for you. By volunteering for a few hours a week, you will meet new people and have some fun for a good cause.
Everyone has something to offer. At Oxfam we know that everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role which works for you. You can find out more about volunteering with Oxfam here.
What happens next? After you apply the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you’d like to do in the shop. From there you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!
Roles available: Sorting donations including checking and pricing, Serving customers on the till, Create stylish window displays, Keeping the shop fully stocked, Helping donors as they come in
Prevent loneliness and isolation in your community become a befriender.
We all need a helping hand or listening ear – sometimes more so due to health, isolation or recovery following an operation
Connection Support is a local charity and we are looking for volunteer befrienders to support our Prevention Matters clients in Buckinghamshire. Prevention Matters help adults regain confidence, maintain independence and help them get out and about. The Community Support Workers support clients by finding help, signposting to other services, connect with others in the local community and provide encouragement to get involved in social events.
You can make a difference to people’s lives as a Prevention Matters volunteer by:
· Increase or maintain social links such as attend local events, transport to coffee mornings · Accompany clients on GP or hospital appointments · Teach clients new digital skills such as email, Skype or how to search the web. · Practical support in the garden or a spot of DIY in their home · Assistance with hoarding disorder · Support to a carer who is feeling isolated Volunteers will have their traveling and out of pocket expenses covered. Opportunity to complete NVC National Volunteering Certificate and other in-house training.
At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything but everyone can do something so volunteering is flexible to suit you.
We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity
Connection Support
Roles available: as described above
How to get in touch: telephone on 01296 484322 or email