Valuing volunteers at GHT

posted: 03/06/2011

George House Trust has been celebrating the time and energy given by our 139 volunteers, as part of National Volunteers Week.

Celebrating 25 years of volunteering!

posted: 04/06/2010

Over 40 volunteers enjoyed cake, candles and a look back at 25 years of volunteer involvement at George House Trust. The event was timed to coincide with National Volunteers Week and to celebrate George House Trust’s 25th Birthday year.
 

George House Trust was established by six volunteers in 1985, and today we involve over 130 volunteers in our work.
 

Volunteers play a key role in delivering responsive and relevant services to people living with HIV, challenging stigma and promoting the best possible quality of life for HIV positive people in North West England.
 

Heart of Salford Organisation of the Year
This week also saw George House Trust receive the Heart of Salford Organisation of the Year Award, in recognition of the way we involve and support our volunteers.
A big thank you to all our volunteers, from the staff and service users at George House Trust!
 

Want to get involved?
Want to get involved as a George House Trust volunteer? Our next Information Session for prospective volunteers is on Monday 6th July, 6pm-8pm at George House Trust or please email
 

Wanted - Positive Youth Camp Leaders

posted: 23/04/2010

Are you HIV+? Are you aged 18 - 24 on August 23 2010? Want to help run the first ever UK summer camp for HIV+ young people?

CHIVA (Childrens HIV Association) is recruiting fifteen Camp Leaders to help run the first ever CHIVA Summer Camp for HIV+ children and young people, in the last week of August 2010.

Along with staff and volunteers, Camp Leaders will help to run the Summer Camp. They will offer support to participants, organise events and activities and keep the camp running smoothly.

Training and Expenses Included
All Camp Leaders will need to attend a four day training session from Thursday 10th - Monday 14th June 2010. Alongside fun activities, Camp Leaders will receive accredited training from Youthforce on the 'Essentials of working with young people'. All expenses will be paid.

Over 25? - volunteer instead
If you are HIV+ and aged 25 or over in late August, consider becoming a CHIVA camp volunteer instead. Visit the Summer Camp webpage and download volunteering details and an application form - righthand column of web page.

Becoming a Camp Leader - apply before 30 April
For more information download the information pack and application form. The application form must be completed and returned by 5pm April 30 2010.

If you know or work with HIV+ young people please print off the advert about becoming a Camp Leader and pass this on to them.

If you would like any more information about being a Camp Leader please email Tom Burke.
 

Positive Findings

posted: 02/06/2009

Our recent volunteer survey yielded positive results, with over 98% of volunteers saying they would recommend volunteering at George House Trust. 91% reported that they get support “whenever they need it” (a 5% increase based on 2007-2008) and 87% are happy with the recognition they receive.

“For me…it’s been exceptional to what I had thought. I thought it was going to be good, but it’s excellent. ” Focus Group Participant

“A great organisation to volunteer for, has the right balance of give and take, professional, supportive and receptive to change. Embracive of diversity and cultures. Makes GHT a good place to be!” Survey Respondent

Volunteers also reported positive personal changes resulting from volunteering. 82% said their confidence in their abilities had increased, 75% had improved their social and communication skills, 51% developed vocational/job related skills, 49% said their mental health and wellbeing improved as a result of volunteering. 95% said their sense that they were making a “useful contribution” had increased.

“Volunteering at GHT gave me the huge opportunity to gain new skills & experience. It made me feel different especially in building self confidence and I feel great that I can give something back rather than just take.” Survey Respondent

This year, we asked those volunteers, who are HIV positive, specific questions about the personal impact of volunteering.
• 85% had increased opportunities to be open about their HIV status
• 60% had increased confidence about disclosing their HIV status
• 88% had a greater sense that there is still life with HIV

“Volunteering has helped to to re-identify what being +ve is, and taught me that the glass is still half full.” Survey Respondent

The survey helps us to see how well our Volunteer Programme is working and whether we are giving volunteers the training and support they need. It also gives us an insight into what volunteers gain from their involvement at George House Trust.

A massive thank you to all volunteers who took part in this year’s survey! To find out more about joining our volunteer team, please visit the volunteering section of our website

A Timely Contribution

posted: 01/06/2009

George House Trust volunteers gave over 7072 hours of their time from March 2008-March 2009. This amounts to a financial contribution to George House Trust of £40,522 a year (calculated using the national minimum hourly wage rate for adults).

In addition to their time, volunteers bring a range of skills and experience, warmth, energy, and a huge amount of enthusiasm to their work here. Volunteer roles include one to one support, helping at spaces, fundraising, awareness raising, campaigning, counselling and more. Without their help, much of the support that we provide to people living with HIV in the North West would be impossible!

If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, visit the volunteering section of our website

1st-7th June is National Volunteers' Week; a celebration of volunteers and volunteering.