Announcements

HACVS and Volunteer Centre merger

As first advised in our June newsletter, from the 1^st January 2009 after 28 years as an independent charity, Horsham Volunteer Centre is to become part of the Horsham Area CVS.

The ‘Volunteer Centre’ is the national brand name for the local brokerage service that has been providing information , advice and instructions to potential volunteers in Horsham since 1980 – helping to support the voluntary and community sector.

The free and confidential interview service offered to people wishing to enquire about volunteering will continue to be available at the Spire and Octagon buildings, Chart Way, Horsham – open to callers Monday to Thursday, 10.00am to 4.00pm.

We will also continue to promote a wide range of volunteering opportunities that can also be accessed via the national website www.do-it.org.uk

Sharon is looking forward to progressing the Volunteer Centre service and to working with organisations seeking to recruit volunteers. To register your volunteer opportunities please call in to the Octagon, contact us by telephone on 01403 232100 or email horshamvolunteer@btconnect.com.

Heather Walker, who has run the service for the past 18 years, retires at the end of 2008 and Sharon Turton, pictured here, who has recently been appointed as Volunteer Centre Coordinator, is in post ready to lead the VC team into this latest stage of development.

The Volunteer Centre serves the Horsham district, reaching out to the small towns, villages and rural communities, promoting volunteering opportunitiesthroughout the area and encouraging everyone to get involved. Publicising volunteer opportunities, promoting volunteering and working closely with local not-for-profit organisations to create and fill volunteer roles, remain priorities for the Volunteer Centre.