Volunteering schemes are given a fresh start

The Arun Volunteer Centre and the Chichester Volunteer Centre have merged to create Volunteer Now!

The service, which is now being run under the Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester, looks to offer a greater range of work for those keen to help out in their community.

To contact Volunteer Now! call 01243 864220, email [email protected] or head online and visit the organisation’s website at www.vaac.org.uk or follow it on Twitter @2VolunteerNow.

Here is a list of this week’s volunteer opportunities in the Gazette area:

Recruits are needed to help a new charitable enterprise get off the ground.

The Well-being Supporters’ Project, which is part of the Arun Well-being team, has been set-up in Littlehampton and Bognor area to find volunteers to help those keen on improving their health.

It could see the volunteers supporting a family where one member is trying to better their health, either with more exercise, a better diet or by quitting smoking.

Alternatively, volunteers could also accompany people to activity groups or swimming groups, or become a workplace champion and help those people in the office struggling to improve their health.

Full training is given but ideally applicants will have faced a health challenge and understand what it is like to try and continue a healthier lifestyle. For more information, contact Sarah Cartey on 01243 864220.

Home-Start Arun has launched a recruitment and training drive to get more people to become part of the organisation.

The group helps needy families from across the district with a range of issues.

Everything from offering parents a friendly face to chat with to simple advice for first-time parents dealing with babies or toddlers. All the charity asks for is two to three hours a week to help out.

Those wishing to take up the role will be offered extensive training and on-going support. There will also be a chance for them to take on an Open College Network-accredited course.

The next course for prospective volunteers is at the Wickbourne Centre, in Clun Road, Wick, on Tuesday, from 9.30am until 2.30pm and will cover a range of topics. For more information, call 01903 889707.

Volunteers keen to become part of the Coastal Carers’ Support Team are being advised that the group has moved from its base in Chichester, to Dove Lodge, in Beach Road, Littlehampton.