VOLUNTEER COLUMN: Find out how you can make a difference

The Look and Sea Centre in Littlehampton are holding a number of open days. Picture: Liz Pearce

Book your space on our next workshop in Littlehampton next Thursday (August 18) at 10am, or drop-in between 11am and 11.30am to meet some of the local organisations looking for volunteers.

To book or to find out more, contact us on [email protected] or call 01243 864220.

Here are some of the opportunities that you could find out about.

Oral history volunteer – Arundel Museum Society

Arundel Museum exists to acquire, conserve and display objects related to Arundel’s history and heritage; they want to create a gateway to the past in an exciting and inspiring learning environment which is accessible to all.

Oral history volunteers are required to interview older people, recording memories of their lives, experiences and local events.

The interview is then transcribed into a computer, themes are analysed and the final copy is produced.

Interviewers need to have a pleasant manner and be used to dealing with people, while transcribers need to be confident using a computer with good literacy and typing skills.

Volunteer restorative justice facilitator – Sussex Pathways

Sussex Pathways’ primary aim is to reduce the risk of re-offending by facilitating, encouraging and supporting the engagement of offenders with specialist agencies in the community to overcome underlying problems, and work towards rehabilitation.

Volunteers are required to facilitate face-to-face restorative conferences, shuttle meetings and/or written communication, predominantly between the ‘harmed’ and ‘wrong-doers’ and others affected by the crime and wrong doing; with the aim of repairing the harm caused by the offending behaviour and agreeing a way forward which is acceptable to all participants.

Volunteer events assistant – Look and Sea Centre

Look and Sea aims to provide a first class experience for visitors to and residents of Littlehampton, capitalising on its unique position on the bend of the River Arun.

The centre encompasses a five-storey high viewing tower giving 360-degree views of the river, sea and South Downs; the Littlehampton experience heritage exhibition offering an educational service for all, and the restaurant with its fine food.

Volunteer events assistants will assist the education officer with putting on and publicising events such as children’s, family and adult workshops/events (arts, crafts, storytelling and so on).

Specialist interests would be very welcome, as well as an interest in art and crafts, and design skills would be useful.

Reading buddies – Arundel CofE School

Arundel CofE School would greatly appreciate help from adults from the community, who are able to come into school and help children with reading.

Adult volunteer reading buddies will be paired with children at the school and work with them to develop their reading.

The children read aloud and their reading buddy helps them relate to new words or concepts, instilling a love of books which is hoped will stay with the children throughout their lives.

Time commitment to carry out this valuable task can be negotiable.

• For more information on any of the above roles, please call Volunteer Now! on 01243 864220, or visit www.do-it.org. For bite-sized volunteering of ten days or less please visit skillshare-westsussex.org.uk

---

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LittlehamptonGazette

3) Follow us on Twitter @LhamptonGazette

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Littlehampton Gazette - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.