Thinking Differently Award 2018
Supported by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
What is the award: Awarded to a volunteer involving organisation for an innovative, unique volunteering program or model that engages volunteers, and makes a significant contribution to the work of the volunteer involving organisation, improving its ability to achieve its purpose and objectives, and to deliver positive outcomes.
We would like to thank Irwin Mitchell Solicitors for their support for the Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards. Irwin Mitchell have supported of the Awards since they started in 2015.
Ruth Johnson, Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell LLP. “We are delighted to be supporting the Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteers Awards again this year. It is important to recognise those within our community that give up their time to help and support others to make our community blossom. It is a real opportunity to celebrate the often unsung heroes who make a real difference to others lives”.
The pictures show presentations by Ruth Johnson, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
Category Winner
Moving On Project Portsmouth (MOPP)
The ‘Moving On Project Portsmouth’ is a volunteer led group that helps vulnerable individuals and families – those coming out of supported accommodation, refugees and those receiving benefits that need household items but do not have the funds available. Less than year old, the organisation is headed by Sarah Knight who used to run Facebook group, Portsmouth Help for the Homeless, where members gave out essential items to people sleeping rough. Sarah decided to go in a different direction as she recognised that they were helping people to stay homeless, rather than supporting people away from a homeless lifestyle. Sarah and her friends decided to support families who are moving into new homes or in need of furniture and since launched the ‘Moving On Project Portsmouth’ has helped more than 100 families and individuals.
Be There For Care‘Be There for Care’ recruits volunteers as befrienders for residents with dementia in care homes. Three care homes were identified to pilot the work, all having residents with higher levels of dementia, and no existing regular volunteers. Be there for Care, uses two key methods to recruit volunteers, that involves trying a new ways to recruit volunteers. The marketing is aimed at modern time restrictive life styles, advertising to those willing to offer ‘just 2 hours a week’. The second is that the volunteer centre is commissioned to conduct the entire recruiting process. This ensures that prospective volunteers are aware of the challenges of the role at the outset, but also enables reducing the time taken for recruitment. Since its launch in October 2017 they have placed 40 volunteers.
Southsea BeachwatchSouthsea Beachwatch is a volunteer led community group whose aim is to help curb the litter left on Southsea and Eastney beaches every year, though awareness and the act of, well, ‘picking up litter’. Beach cleans are arranged for the first Saturday of the month. The organisers provide protective gloves, rubbish bags, and trash pickers, and all are welcome to come along, including families, young people and dogs. They also provide pictorial seashore guides and bird awareness information to help to explain the importance of the beaches to our environment and wildlife. Southsea Beach Watch was nominated for their positive use of social media and for providing busy life and family friendly volunteering opportunity.