Volunteering Opportunities
The Volunteering Section gives you opportunities to make a difference to other people's lives. This can be one of the most rewarding sections of the Award - the more you give, the more satisfaction and enjoyment you will get out of it. Some local ideas can be found below.
Click here to download more information and an activity log.
Click here to visit the Volunteering section of the DofE website.
Haysden Country Park
Rachel Cantwell who is the Park Ranger for Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council is able to use volunteers to help in places like Haysden Country Park doing all sorts of things from tree planting to cutting back undergrowth. Her contact details are mobile tel: 07769 672129 email: Cantwell.rachel@yahoo.co.uk
Bradbourne Group Riding for the Disabled
The object of the Riding for the Disabled Association is to give the opportunity of riding or driving to any disabled person who might benefit in their general health and well being. Bradbourne RDA is always looking for volunteers.
Emmetts Garden - near Sevenoaks
From Kate Meyer Visitor Experience Assistant, Emmetts
I work for a National Trust property near to Sevenoaks. We are very keen to have a few more youngsters volunteering with us. We can offer all sorts of experience, from events and visitor focussed work, to gardening and administration. Since we are a garden property we are pretty relaxed here at Emmetts, and a very friendly team. We can provide students with cups of tea on tap, lots of fresh air, and something interesting to put on their CV.
P.S. If you decide to do this, you will be more use going for at least 4 hours once a month, rather than for just an hour a week! Please make sure you go 13 times, to ensure you do at least 12 calender months.
River Drama
A drama group for young people with Down’s Syndrome based at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge. www.riverdrama.com Contact Sarah Wells orson.sarah@gmail.com
We meet at the Oast Theatre in Tonbridge on Saturday afternoons in term time. The Junior group (6-11 year olds) runs 2.45-3.30pm, the senior group (12-17 year olds) 3.30-4.30pm and the Academy Group (18+) 4.30-5.45pm. The majority of help is needed for the younger 2 groups and there is no requirement to stay to all 3 groups.
We understand that many of you have lots of sporting commitments, part-time jobs, not to mention your studies and exams, so we do appreciate that it is not possible to attend every week. Even if you could attend every 2-3 weeks we would appreciate it. There is also no requirement to let us know which weeks you are coming, please come when you can.
The exception to this your first week, I would like to confirm the date of this so that the River Drama supervisors & tutors can welcome you and “show you the ropes”.
There is no need for dramatic skills, just enthusiasm to join in the activities & a sense of fun! The young people really do benefit from the support of the volunteers and the volunteers also seem to enjoy themselves.
Please contact me directly if you would like to volunteer. Email is best (orson.sarah@gmail.com) as I work shifts, or alternatively I will return your call when I can. Please include your full name, age, school and which age groups you would be interested in working with in your reply. I will then send you futher details and we can arrange your first session. We will require a letter of recommendation from your school or similar.
PLEASE NOTE : Tonbridge Gold does not specifically endorse or recommend volunteering opportunities. It is for participants and their parents to satisfy themselves as to the quality and nature of the programmes listed.
