Volunteer Centre Hub

There are always opportunities for you to volunteer right across the Borough. Volunteering can help you add employability skills to your CV; help you to get fit; secure you a place on the course of your dreams; build your self-confidence and make new friends. See below for some of our volunteering opportunities available.
 

General Volunteering Roles Across Tameside    

 

Greenspace Volunteering

Volunteers work closely with the Greenspace Development Officers and provide an important link with the local community. Every year hundreds of hours are spent by volunteers undertaking a wide variety of tasks which enable us to provide safe and welcoming places that everyone can enjoy. If you are interested in volunteering there are many opportunities to get involved, including:
 

• Footpath and bridleway clearance and improvement.
• Local Nature Reserve management and habitat protection.
• Litter picking and rubbish collection.
• Tree planting and woodland management
• Stile, step, and footbridge rebuilding.
• Hedge laying, fencing and dry-stone walling.
• Patrolling, walking, and checking footpaths and bridleways.
• Leading or assisting with the year round programme of Events and Activities
• Corporate Volunteering. Practical conservation days tailored to suit your business, team or group.

Practical Conservation

Our conservation days are a practical way to help conserve the wildlife and traditional landscape of Tameside. They are held on a range of sites around the borough and start at 10:30am, finishing by 3pm. Tasks could include anything from hedgelaying and coppicing, to fencing and general maintenance.

All events are free and open to everyone over 8 years. (Each 8 – 16 year old must be supervised by a responsible adult). No experience is needed, just a willingness to join in and learn new skills. We will provide you with any equipment you need and instruction on how to use any tools. You can turn up to any event, but please book before by calling the contact for the day or emailing greenspace@tameside.gov.uk so we know how many people to expect.

Please wear suitable clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy and sturdy footwear, and bring a packed lunch and a drink.

Please click on the images below to see out upcoming Practical Conservation Days
 
 
     

Events and Activities

Throughout the year there are a range of activities and events to get involved with including assisting or leading guided walks and helping out at family and educational events.

Upcoming Guided Walks

 

Visitor Centre Information Assistant

We require volunteer help as part of the visitor services team, assisting in the day to day running of Tameside’s countryside visitor centres.
 
We are looking for people to welcome our visitors and provide information and guidance to help make their visit more enjoyable
 

Corporate Volunteering

Tameside Greenspace can offer your business the opportunity to help improve your local park or countryside site through tailor-made practical environmental tasks.

Whether you are looking for a day away from the office, team building or the chance to give something back, our experienced staff will talk you through the options available to produce a corporate volunteering package that is right for you.

For a quote and further information on the practical tasks and sites available, please contact our Volunteering Officer: Hannah Hernon on 07923438594
 

Community Groups

There are many Friends Groups across Tameside who are always looking for volunteers.

The Friends of Gorse Hall, who manage Gorse Hall in Stalybridge/Dukinfield. Contact Alan Pickles for further details on 07790 006345.
 
The Friends of Sunny Bank have occasional work parties on Sundays and meet at 11am at the green on Peakdale Road, Droylsden M43 6JX. Contact Sue Roberts for further details on 0161 342 2270
 
The Friends of Etherow Lodge Park, Hollingworth have occasional work parties, please contact Maria Roberts 07784 876577
 

Contact us

For more information about any of the activities or for an informal chat about how you can get involved please contact our Volunteering Officer, Hannah Hernon on
greenspace@tameside.gov.uk
07923438594
 

Tameside Sports Trust Volunteering

Tameside Sports Trust offers placements to anyone aged 14 years and older. Our volunteers do not need any previous experience or qualifications they just need an enthusiasm and passion for sports leadership, coaching and physical activity.  

What Sports Volunteers do

Sports/physical activity Volunteers are placed in either a structured coaching session or within a community setting e.g. a club or youth sports club. Volunteers are placed with fully qualified sports coaches/instructors, who have a minimum of a level 2 national governing body qualification, and are also assigned a coaching mentor to provide knowledge and gain advice from.
 
If you are interested in volunteering with Tameside Sports Trust there are many opportunities available to you which include:

• Assistant sports coach
• Assistant dance leader
• Event Volunteers

If you would like to get involved with sports volunteering, contact us on:
Telephone: 0161 366 4810
Ken Ward Sports Centre,
Hattersley Road East
Hattersley
Hyde
SK14 3NL 

Reading Volunteer

Reading volunteers can help a variety of people learn how to read. There are several opportunities to volunteer with us. You do not need experience of working with children and young people. As long as you have enthusiasm and commitment, the opportunity is open to all.

We provide training before you begin in your placement to prepare and support you fully for your work with a child or young person so that you feel confident in volunteering in a School. Training spaces are limited and reserved upon receipt of an application form.

If you are interested in becoming a reading volunteer, contact Employment and Skills at: reading@tameside.gov.uk – all volunteers will be required to complete an application form agree to an enhanced DBS check being carried out.




 

Health Information Care Assistant

The Health Information Centre at Tameside General Hospital provides a free health information service which includes:

• Leaflets on all the key health conditions
• Details of national and local support group
• Internet based health information
• Information in a range of community languages
• Staff available to help patients and their carers find the information they need

Information is an important part of health care whether in preventing ill health, reducing accidents and illness, managing conditions or helping recover from operations or other treatment. We require volunteers to support the Health Information Centre Manager in the provision of a health information service to patients, hospital staff and visitors. We are also looking for volunteers to visit wards and clinics to ensure the information in these areas is up-to-date and tidy.
 

Skills/Qualities/Qualifications Required

Volunteers must:

• Have an interest in health and social care issues
• Enjoy working with people, be friendly and non-judgemental
• Have good basic administrative skills, including use of office equipment
• Be able to record information clearly and accurately
• Be confident in using computers and the Internet for producing documents and finding informationTameside’s Youth Offending Team

 

Youth Justice Team Service – Mentor

Tameside’s Youth Offending Team (YOT) is looking for volunteers to help run its community panels.
 
The panels are attended by young people between the ages of 10 and 17 who receive Referral Orders. The youngsters are required to attend the panel meeting with a parent or guardian. The meeting is run by volunteers and an officer from the Youth Offending Team is on hand to offer support and advice.
 
The panel meeting is held in an informal setting and volunteers give young people the opportunity to explain their actions. The orders help young people to understand the effects of their behaviour on the community and it gives them an opportunity to make amends.
 
Volunteers need to be reliable and have an interest in helping young people. They can be from any age group and don’t need any previous experience as full training is given.
 
If you have any questions about any of the volunteer opportunities within the YOT please contact us:

Telephone: 0161 342 7680
Address:
Youth Offending Team
31 Clarence Arcade
Stamford Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL6 7PT
 

Volunteering at the Library – TechKnow Buddies

Task Descriptions

• Provide one-to-one basic digital support at one or more Tameside Library locations
• Help library users to learn new digital skills and gain confidence. For example using email, internet and popular apps; staying safe online, making video calls and using social media to stay in touch with friends and family.
• Be aware of training opportunities in Tameside and provide an appropriate signposting service to customers.
• Maintain contact with the Senior Information Assistant.
• Carry out good practice on safeguarding, acceptable ICT use and equal opportunities.

Necessary Skills and Attitudes of a TechBuddy

• Good basic skills on laptops, smartphones and tablets.
• Confidence using the internet, email and common office applications.
• Friendly, approachable and patient in supporting digital beginners.
• Confidence in using technology and ability to explain things in a simple manner.
• Ability to encourage and motivate.
• Reliability and willingness to volunteer for at least one or two hours per week.
• Commitment to encouraging people in next steps, e.g. Learn My Way / iDEA.
• Enthusiasm for developing own skills and confidence.

Training We Provide:

• Initial training required for the role will be given
• Further training to develop digital skills will be encouraged
• Related training may be available

Interested in being a TechKnow Buddy? Contact us via information.direct@tameside.gov.uk or call Iveta Yates on 0161 342 2031 for an informal discussion.