Get Involved
CSV as volunteering opportunities all over the country. Click on our main website to see if there is something in your area. www.csv.org.uk
Updates
As the project has now finished we will not be sending out any more updates.
Past events listing
Don't Write Us Off!
Between 31 January 2009 and 31 January 2009, in Brighton
Agents4Change will be holding an event promoting youth volunteering at Churchill Square shopping centre on Saturday 31st January from 10am to 4pm.
You will have the chance to talk to volunteers and sign up for volunteering opportunities and get the chance to find out about the not-so-scary world of volunteering.
Come along to see us, we'll be outside the GAME shop.
Posted on 06 January 2009 12:51:25 by Marco Kor
Park Ranger for the Day
Between 30 January 2009 and 25 February 2009, in Liverpool
Be a Sefton Park Ranger for the day! Agents4Change teamed up with Sefton Rangers for an afternoon of tree cropping and litter picking. A beautiful area of land at St Christopher's Wood, Netherton, wasn't looking its best, but Agents4Change were part of doing something about it!
Loads of volunteers turned up to collect on of the hugest amounts of rubbish you've ever seen. The event was even more impressive, because not one volunteer lived near the park, but were willing to clean it up anyway. The Sefton Rangers were super impressed with your work, and we owe you about a gazillion.
Well done to everyone - pictures coming soon!!
Posted on 30 January 2009 12:18:44 by Jon Dean
Free Film Course!
Between 29 January 2009 and 02 February 2009, in Brighton
There is the chance for six lucky young people to go on a short film course and learn the basics of filming and editing before putting what you have learnt into practice. It will be running on the 29th and 31st of January and 2nd February.
Thurs 29th Jan - Half a day of learning how to film with a trained professional at the BBC on Queens road.
Sat 31st Jan - Half a day of filming at Churchill Square shopping centre as part of an event promoting youth volunteering. You will be doing quick interviews with other young people and put together a short film with the help of the trainer.
Mon 2nd Feb - A day of editing the film back at the BBC with the trainer.
You will learn a new skill, meet other young people and have a great time! Everyone will also receive a certificate.
Call or email me asap if you are interested!
Posted on 06 January 2009 11:30:50 by Marco Kor
Outdoor Adventure!
Between 25 January 2009 and 25 January 2009, in Brighton
Get ready for a great time!
There is the chance for 10 committed young people to have a days FREE training with Adventure Unlimited on 25th January from 09:30-17:30.
Activities include familiarising with woodland site, climbing wall, obstacle course, archery, games, child protection, games and more. Whilst this is a training session it's also lots of fun!
After the training, you will be required to volunteer with Adventure Unlimited for future events that they will run - with lots more fun to be had!
Don't pass up this great chance to have fun and meet people!
Posted on 06 January 2009 12:11:02 by Marco Kor
Ethical Fairtrade Fashion Fair
Between 19 January 2009 and 09 March 2009, in Liverpool
In association with Christian Aid.
More details to come.
Posted on 19 January 2009 11:09:48 by Jon Dean
Fairtrade Fortnight
Between 19 January 2009 and 09 March 2009, in Liverpool
From 23rd February until the 8th March, we will be running events in tandem with Liverpool Universities, schools, and colleges, in order to promote Fairtrade Fortnight, the Fairtrade Foundations annual campaign to increase awareness.
This year, with a real focus on increasing the financial and ethical treatment of banana growers, we want to focus our attempts on using young volunteers to encourage more and more of their peers to only purchase Fairtrade bananas. Currently 25% of bananas bought in the UK come from Fairtrade sources. This campaign aims to push that number up to 50% by 2012.
Hopefully Tesco will be flooding our offices with Fairtrade bananas, and we'll need volunteers to ship these onto Liverpool. Finer details are to follow, ideas welcome, but hopefully we can encourage Merseyside to 'go bananas'.
This volunteering opportunity comes with the promise of more banana related puns.
Get involved.
Posted on 19 January 2009 11:07:09 by Jon Dean
Liverpool's Got Talent
Between 19 January 2009 and 16 February 2009, in Liverpool
An incredible evening of giggles and talent, as 12 acts from Liverpools 4 FE/HE centres attempted to win the crown prize of Liverpools Most Talented Students, £100 of high street vouchers, and the chance to perform at local bar Korova. The triumphant act were Sticky Floor, Liverpool University's improvisational comedy act, who impressed the judges with the way they worked the audience and the stage with passion and confidence.
Agents4Change hosted the event, with your very own Jon Dean acting as compere throughout the evning. Over 50 young people volunteered their time, whether it be through their performance, with tickets, bar work, crowd control, videoing, filming, lighting, technicians and more. A fabulous night will be availiable to view on DVD soon, from LgosTV.
Posted on 19 January 2009 11:02:54 by Jon Dean
Student Volunteering Week
Between 19 January 2009 and 02 March 2009, in Liverpool
It was a crazy day for volunteers to meet with all that Liverpool has to offer in terms of community and arts involvement. With loads of events to take part in, and lots of networking opportunities, it was also a chance for the volunteer charities to meet and plan for the future.
Agents4Change were the busiest throughout the day, with our eye-catching display and stall. We of course won the title of most original volunteering stall, with our huge range of activities promoted and on offer on the day. There was bulb planting, which involved getting messy with soil but should turn beautiful in June!, a continuation of our Don't Write Us Off event, a conversation with young people about their issues, and their opportunities. And our giant brain getting all the headlines, from our volunteering with Radio 3 in the autumn.
University of Liverpool - big thank you for the space. BBC Liverpool big thank you for the coverage.
"I've seen loads to do today. I'm gonna get more involved. And it;s great to take a plant away! As a member of Greenfingers Society I love stuff like this!" said Rosa, a student, and newly signed up volunteer.
Posted on 19 January 2009 11:13:01 by Jon Dean
Conservation Day!
Between 14 January 2009 and 22 March 2009, in Cambridge
On the 22nd March conservation volunteers helped out at Somersham Nature Reserve. It's a beautiful site protected because of it's rich and diverse nature and the Agents4Change volunteers were needed clear overgrown vegetation so that the original grassland could be restored and people could use the site more easily. In the afternoon we also helped do some much needed surveying of the local wildlife for the Biological Records.
Posted on 14 January 2009 11:13:44 by Louise Payn
Fair Trade Fortnight
Between 14 January 2009 and 06 March 2009, in Cambridge
Agents4Change Cambridge and Young Lives volunteers ran a day of Fairtrade activities at the volunteer run Cafe Project on Jesus Lane. The volunteers ran games, quizes and bag painting, made a short animation film and served up a fairtrade lunch and snacks raising money for the Lesbian Association of India. Our Street Action team did a great job of spreading the word about Fairtrade in Cambridge city centre and getting over 120 people to show their support for the Fairtrade company by eating a fairtrade banana on film. There was also a presentation from Tracing Tea and a showing of the controversial film 'Black Gold' about Ethiopian coffee growers and their struggle to get a fair price for their crop.
Posted on 14 January 2009 12:25:00 by Louise Payn
Animal Shelter Makeover
Between 13 January 2009 and 21 February 2009, in Gloucester
Spend a Saturday in February helping makeover the Cheltenham Animal Shelter. On the 21st There will be plenty to do and lots of happy animals to greet a job well done. The dog kennels need a bit of paint, the animals need some love and the shelter needs some volunteers to help out. This fantastic organization needs some young people to make a difference.
For more info and to sign up, contact Mike.McBride@bbc.co.uk
Posted on 13 January 2009 13:43:22 by Michael McBride
Hip hop party
Between 12 January 2009 and 04 March 2009, in Gloucester
On March 4th, some volunteers are needed to do a few random jobs for a hip hop party being hosted in Cheltenham. Jobs like selling tickets, making sure acts are on time and just enjoying the night. All the proceeds will go to a local disabled befriending charity.
To learn more and to get lined up with the opportunity email Mike.McBride@bbc.co.uk
Posted on 12 January 2009 11:50:05 by Michael McBride
All Being Well
Between 09 January 2009 and 30 January 2009, in Luton
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund, 'All Being Well' is an on going campaign organised by CSV to promote healthy living.
By showing how exercise, a healthy diet and a good mental well-being are interrelated, the campaign aims to inspire people to change their behaviour.
In conjunction with the project, CSV teamed up with a range of local organisations to put on an event at the Harlequin Shopping Centre in Watford on Sunday the 25th of January 2009. On the day there were street performers, demonstrations, activities, stalls and volunteers handing out 'stepometers'.
Posted on 09 January 2009 14:55:03 by Jonathan Paylor
Dodge the Draught
Between 08 January 2009 and 05 February 2009, in Gloucester
Service users from Gloucester Youth Housing will gather on February 5th to stich together draught excluders. A lunch, a stitch and a useful creation is the plan for the day. Everyone can take home and use an excluder and the rest will be donated to a local charity.
This event allows people to be as creative as they want, making snakes or sausage dogs, or just a plain black tube.
If interested in joining, give me a shout at Mike.McBride@BBC.co.uk
Posted on 08 January 2009 13:36:37 by Michael McBride
Make Do and Mend
Between 08 January 2009 and 09 February 2009, in Cambridge
On the 9th February volunteers from the Stitch Up and Anglia Ruskin University showed shoppers at the Grand Arcade how to spruce up an old outfit instead of buying an entire new one...great for the environment as well as saving money!
Posted on 08 January 2009 10:49:46 by Louise Payn
Goody Hoodies say 'Don't Write Us Off'
Between 07 January 2009 and 07 January 2009, in Reading
Knife crime. Gang culture. Hoodies. All of these phrases have become synonymous with the public’s perception of young people today. This is not without reason of course, as youth-related crime has received considerable media coverage over recent years. However, continued reports on such incidents has created a stereotype that is spreading not only intergenerational mistrust within the community, but also peer fear.
On Saturday 6th December, 'Agents4Change' in Berkshire joined the national ‘Don’t Write Us Off’ campaign to illustrate that the majority of young people are contributing as much to the community as a select few are taking from it. The aim was to spark dialogues with the public to gather popular opinion about what should be done to give young people the best start in life. This was just a starting point however, and volunteers became engaged in a diverse range of conversations over the course of the day. The public were then invited to record their views on an 'Agents4Change' canvas erected in Merchants Place, Reading.
With an age range of ten years old to eighty, the public’s responses were varied to say the least. One elderly ex-policeman expressed frustration that young people were given so many opportunities but squander them in favour of computer games and drinking, and that it was ultimately ‘down to the individual’. A mother of three hoped that parenting skills could be taught to young people, while a young resident from nearby Twyford argued there should be more ‘cheap commercial places like Shakeaway [a local milkshake bar]’ where young people can socialise.
The creation of social venues and events dominated the feedback volunteers received. Rob Wilson, MP for Reading East, chatted with volunteers and expressed a desire to see ‘warm, dry places for young people to meet friends’. Other ideas ranged from ambitious ‘indoor ice rinks’ to more tangible goals of ‘club nights for under eighteen year olds’.
The day successfully drew attention to the positive work being carried out by young people who volunteer. With support exhibited from the Deputy Mayor of Reading and Rob Wilson MP, the feedback volunteers received will be used to tackle the issues specifically relevant to the Berkshire area. Public opinion cannot be changed over night, but by demonstrating young peoples’ positive intentions through work around the community, their actions can speak louder than any newsprint.
Posted on 07 January 2009 11:13:41 by Maz Ebtehaj
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Between 03 January 2009 and 10 January 2009, in Leicester
Agents4Change and BigPinkHeart will be working in partnership for the first time ever to create LOVE, RESPECT and POSTITIVE ATTITUDE amongst the young and old. Youngsters will be working hard to break the stereotype that surrounds them by doing something POSITIVE and best of all, to SHOW IT to the public. This will be an event taking place in Rutland Waters (a tourist attraction and well natured place for people looking for a peaceful time) and Leicester City Centre (a place full of hustle and bustle and many retail outlets and events)! Taking place in January 2009 but in need of people to show the interest in any of the following:
- Leading a stall or an activity
- Participating in an activity or a stall
- Marketing People to create awareness
- Material preparators i.e. sorting out who needs aprons, gloves, water, paint etc.
- Photographer (previous skills appreciated!)
ALL HELP APPRECIATED!
The event will be running in:
- Rutland Waters - 3rd January - 10am till 1pm
- Leicester City Centre - 10th January - 10am till 1pm
Posted on 25 November 2008 00:36:46 by Farzana Topia
READ International
Between 01 January 2009 and 30 May 2009, in Liverpool
READ International is a charity, nationally franchised amongst Universities, aimed at collecting old text books and sending them to school children in Tanzania.
The event went very well, hiring a minibus for the day. Volunteers had rang schools before to organise the collection of books, then collected them, before stacking and packing them for sending to Africa.
University of Liverpool, and several Merseyside schools were very helpful in this event.
READ now need to fundraise to send money to Africa. Check out the ethical trade fair on the 21st March; get in touch for more information.
If you're not on Merseyside, check for a READ International meeting in your area.
Posted on 03 March 2009 12:23:21 by Jon Dean
Clothes Amnesty
Between 01 January 2009 and 30 March 2009, in Devon
Over one thousand Air Cadets from the Devon and Somerset Wing have recently joined forces with over two hundred American’s from South West Water as Agents4Change to help make a difference to those less fortunate by taking part in a Countywide Clothes Amnesty.
Agents4Change is a Community Service Volunteer project to encourage young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to use their passions and their energy to make a difference in their local community.
Ian Chapman, Devon’s Agent4Change who organised the event said he was very impressed with the way the Air Cadets and Call Centre staff put 100% into the campaign to help others living in the same community as them and that the campaign itself was extended by a month because of the great response it received.
In the past two months they have been working endlessly where they gave up their time to help collect and deliver unwanted, usable clothes to help those less fortunate - to include children, the elderly and the homeless.
Warrant Officer, Chris Collman, from Devon and Somerset Wing said that ‘the cadets have to take part in a certain amount of work in the community every year, and a Clothes Amnesty was something we hadn’t done before so we were more than happy to take part and make a difference to people in Plymouth.’
Due to recent cold weather conditions, Cadets and South West Water wanted to make a difference to those who could not afford clothes to keep warm, not only now but all year around. Everyone involved collected and delivered clothes to the Salvation Army in Plymouth who agreed to distribute the items around the city.
Derek Pook, from the Salvation Army’s Clothes Recycling Unit in Plymouth said ‘everyone will be rubbing their hands saying thank you very much as the Air Cadets and call centre staff at South West Water have made a difference to the homeless and Asylum Seekers living in Plymouth area’.
A total of over one tonne of clothing was collected and delivered and is making a difference to someone’s life today.
Posted on 12 November 2008 13:35:56 by Ian Chapman
Community Film Project Needs Your Help
Between 31 December 2008 and 31 January 2009, in Sheffield
Are you interested in making films whilst gaining on-the-job experience?
Helium Films makes films which publicise the great work of local community groups and other voluntary organisations. The films showcase the service users, beneficiaries and volunteers of many different organisations, seeking both to attract more support and celebrate the groups' fantastic work.
These short films are then promoted on social networking sites such as youtube and myspace, and also potentially on the BBC Big Screen in All Saint’s Square Rotherham.
The entire project is run by volunteers. Georgina Higgins, an Agent4Change volunteer, says “I’m on a gap year before university and I wanted to do some voluntary work that combined my love for film with doing something positive. It was also cool to see my film on the BBC Big Screen [in Rotherham], even if it was chucking it down with rain!”
As well as looking for community groups who would benefit from a promotional film, we are looking for more volunteers like Georgina to get involved. You don’t have to be a film buff, as you’ll receive on the job training, and you won’t be out of pocket as CSV will pay your expenses.
It’s a great chance to develop your own skills, from storyboarding to camera work whilst making a real difference to local community groups.
Posted on 20 June 2008 20:25:37 by Mischa Lewis
Acting Up (Posted by previous Agent 4 Change Laurence Whitaker)
Between 27 December 2008 and 03 January 2009, in London
Do friends call you supportive?
Are you a charismatic leader?
Do you have the talent to run a busy drama project?
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, then we want to hear from you.
Acting Up is a peer-led drama project to provide young people at risk of social exclusion a constructive outlet for the winter holidays.
We're looking for help with its running - from overall financial and staff management, drama workshop leading to being a pastoral support to vulnerable children.
Hone your drama skills, your sympathetic side and your CV.
The project runs from 27th December to 3rd January (with New Year's Day off).
If you think you're up for a challenge, we'll support you all the way.
Let me know if your interested and I'll put you in touch with Jono who is running this project.
Posted on 07 October 2008 10:11:58 by Farhat Amin
