25111 genesis volunteer newsletter v5

Volunteer Something for Everyone

ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2014

Dear Reader, Welcome to the Christmas edition of the volunteer newsletter which is full of information about some of the great volunteering opportunities that you can be a part of.

Genesis’ volunteer programme continues to be a vital stepping stone for many of our residents and so far we have helped 75 volunteers into work, many of whom are now working for Genesis. I am really proud of all the volunteers that have gained jobs. I hope that anyone reading this newsletter is inspired by these stories to get involved.

Green-fingered international students clean up communal garden in Westminster A team of international students swapped seminars for shovels and lectures for lawnmowers when they spent the day clearing a communal garden in Westminster.

The nine students from University College London (UCL) were assisted by staff from Genesis Housing Association

Many thanks to all those wonderful Genesis staff and local supporters who have made this happen, and particularly the volunteers themselves who continue to improve the lives of Genesis residents by getting involved in our volunteer programmes.

Finally, a big thank you to Bernie Leacock, Carole Thompson, Sarah Nabirye, Ade Obilanade and Suzanne Miller and also Roy Heath from The Media Trust who helped to pull this newsletter together. Happy Christmas!

Richard Sharp Volunteer Programme Manager Genesis Connect

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and grounds maintenance company, Julius Rutherfoord as they cleared debris, weeds and branches from the property in Maida Vale.

Most of the day’s volunteers are studying courses related to environmental management or geography, and they were joined by one student from St George’s NHS Hosptial.

Thanks to the students, the communal garden which was previously inaccessible wasteland, has been transformed into a warm, welcoming space with flower beds and a vegetable patch for residents to enjoy.

Sarah, Ade, Carole and Bernie

Xaviera Ringeling, a UCL student from Chile, said: ‘I heard about this opportunity at the volunteer fair and liked the idea of learning about gardening and meeting new people with similar interests before my course started. Today was a good experience and it’s definitely inspired me to do more volunteering for Genesis.’

Genesis and John Lewis team up

Volunteer with Genesis

to tackle reading problems in schools

We are looking for volunteers

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NEWSLETTER

Volunteer

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Genesis and John Lewis team up to help improve children’s literacy Earlier this year, Genesis co-ordinated a volunteer programme to give pupils at Carpenters Primary School in Newham one-to-one support to help them improve their reading skills. Word of this success had clearly spread as a few months later, we were surprised and delighted to be approached by leading retailer, John Lewis, to ask if we could devise and run a similar programme for Amanda Timothy with one of the pupils their corporate volunteers at Brentfield Primary School in Brent.

‘So far, three staff members includ- ‘I would definitely encourage anyone to We asked volunteer Amanda Timothy ing myself have been volunteering at get involved with volunteering; it’s fulfillfrom John Lewis at Brent Cross to tell us Brentfield. We come to the school once ing and inspiring for yourself and others every two weeks and spend two hours and it’s really worth doing.’ about her experience. helping individual children aged 5-7 ‘As Community Liaison Coordinator, I years old practise their reading. I spend Sunita Rawat, Inclusion Manager at organise all of John Lewis’s corporate approximately 15 minutes with each Brentfield Primary School, told us: volunteering. Our partners undertake child. They read to me and we discuss ‘I think it’s lovely how all the partners 1,200 hours of corporate volunteering the story to make sure they understand (Genesis, John Lewis, Brentfield School) per year as part of our ethos, so I am it. There are a number of children who are working together to help the chilalways on the lookout for projects that need extra support, and it is great to dren. As a school, our resources are limwe can get involved with. We try to offer a get to know each child, encourage their ited and so any extra help and support is diverse range of volunteering opportuni- reading and see their confidence and extremely valuable.’ ties and we work with children, older peo- enjoyment develop.

For more information or to get involved, ple, homeless people and many different charities. I knew there was a demand for ‘The reading programme was something contact connect@genesisha.org.uk volunteers to help with reading improve- that I personally wanted to get involved ment at Brentfield Primary School. When with. I found helping children improve I heard about the Genesis volunteering their reading to be very fulfilling and programme, I realised that this would having experienced it myself, I can recbe a good fit for John Lewis Brent Cross ommend it to other members of staff. volunteers.

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NDECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 3 VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER

08/12/2014 10:41

Volunteer with Genesis We are looking for volunteers. You don’t need special skills or training, just some spare time and a willingness to get involved and make a difference in your community. Induction training is available for all new volunteers, as well as further training to meet specific volunteering needs.

Through our volunteering opportunities, we have helped many residents s get back into employment.

For more information contact: salma.khan@genesisha.org.uk The resident CSOs with Kier Customer Experience Manager, Chloe Bruin (far left) and Kier Contact Centre Manager, Laurance Higgs (far right).

Genesis residents join Kier contact centre If you call for a repair or for information about planned works, you may find yourself speaking to a fellow Genesis resident!

Four residents have been recruited as customer service coordinators after the Genesis Employment and Training team helped them to apply earlier this year.

Sadika Mohamed Raza, Danis Peters, Edward Denis and Judith Nankonde were delighted to be offered full time positions with Kier. They’ve been answering your calls for a while now but here’s what two of them said when they started in September: “Volunteering and meeting new people really helped me gain my confidence again. The EET Team helped me apply for the job with Kier and I am now a Customer Service Coordinator. I hope this will be the start of a bright career path for me.”

Danis Peters “I got in touch with Genesis and they suggested I apply for a volunteer switchboard vacancy, which I did. Shortly after, I was informed that Kier were recruiting for paid positions within the call centre and I was invited to attend an application drop-in the next day. The staff in the volunteering and employment team assisted me with my CV, application and interview techniques so I was well prepared when I was selected for an interview.

I was offered a full-time paid position as a Customer Service Coordinator and am delighted!”

Edward Denis Laurance Higgs, Kier Contact Centre Manager, said: “Having [Genesis] residents as part of the Kier team has been invaluable to what we are delivering. Who better to understand the needs of our customers than those who live in our properties.”

VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2014

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NEWSLETTER

Volunteer

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Training and volunteering opportunities Finding time to volunteer can seem difficult but the benefits to you, your family and your community are numerous.

You can: • Meet new friends • Reach out to the community • Learn new skills • Advance your career Training

Despite great advances in technology, our lives seem to be getting busier. It feels like there is always something to do, somewhere to go and someone to help, and so it is a wonder that anyone finds the time to volunteer. Fortunately, this could not be further from the truth.

According to a recent report from the Cabinet Office, the proportion of people who volunteer at least once a year increased from 65% to 71% between 2011 and 2012. In addition, an estimated 120,000 people volunteered to make the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics a success.

You’re Invited Come and join us for a mince pie (or two!) at Atelier House on Tuesday 9th December, 1pm to 3pm.

Genesis Housing Association provides a range of training opportunities to residents/volunteers, such as: • SIA CCTV and Door Supervision Training • Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (TA) Level 2 • Health and Safety level 1 • First Aid level 1 • Food and hygiene level1 • CV writing and interview skills.

Between January and October 2014, 44 residents gained employment by engaging with our pre-employment and accredited training.

Judith’s story Judith had been unemployed for over a year and was applying for administrative roles without success. Judith then learned about Genesis’s volunteering opportunities and successfully applied to become a volunteer conducting digital inclusion surveys.

‘I found out about volunteering through the residents magazine, Spotlight, and got in touch. I was carrying our short surveys with residents over the phone about their IT and internet use.

If you’d like to attend, please let Salma Khan know on 0207 563 0166 or at: salma.khan@genesisha.org.uk

‘I also joined the Genesis Connect Employment, Enterprise and Training (EET) mailing list and was regularly sent employment and training opportunities. I decided to apply for the role of Customer Service Coordinator with KIER’s Repairs and Maintenance department. Having been unemployed for over a year and applying for jobs without success, I had definitely lost confidence and was really pleased when the EET Team offered to help me develop my CV and my interview skills.

Their support really made a difference and I got the job!

We look forward to seeing you there.

‘I’m so excited and pleased to be working for KIER. Thank you Genesis Connect!’

Season’s Greetings!

If you are thinking of changing your career, improving your skills or getting back to work, please email connect@genesisha.org.uk or call 020 7563 0166.

Enjoy some festive cheer with the Genesis Volunteering, Enterprise, Employment and Training Team, meet other Genesis volunteers and found out more about our volunteering programmes.

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